Is my terrible hayfever going affect a possible pregnancy?

[hayhayhay]

Hello,

We are TTC but my hayfever since we started (literally a couple of days ago) has ramped up to the worst it's ever been.

I feel like I can't take any medicine for it that will really help (I'd love to take a decongestant). But I also feel that it's so bad it will some how affect the development of my baby (if we have conceived). Is that possible?

You haven't even conceived yet, just take the medicine!!

Btw, my hayfever totally disappeared during both of my pregnancies.

You can’t harm something that doesn’t exist yet for goodness sake. If you’re suffering then you take the medicine.

Yes you're probably right I just have the fear that if I have conceived I've messed up in the earliest of stages. But also know I'm being silly as I may well not have conceived!

The hayfever isn't going to damage the baby itself, it will just make you feel miserable. I'm 19 weeks and I got beconase nasal spray as it's suitable for during pregnancy, it's helped a little so worth a try

Even if you have, how do you think it will affect anything?

If this is how anxious you are before you've even conceived I'd suggest you look into counselling/therapy to help you

If I remember correctly, the placenta doesn’t even form until about 8 weeks meaning whatever drugs or alcohol you take prior will have minimum effect on the baby anyway. Take the medicine! But neither the medication nor the hay fever causes any harm as far as I know.

Look at www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/

My midwife recommended it for me. You can look up the hayfever meds and check all the information about the effect on pregnancy and the baby. There is some hayfever medication that you can use.

By the way, my hayfever almost totally went away when pregnant - only the odd very bad day when normally i suffer from March until Sept.

I have very bad havfever. It doesn’t affect the baby.

I know this whole business is very stressful but remember that millions of women have havfever and have perfectly healthy babies. You can speak to a pharmacist about any concerns over medication.

FWIW, durinb both my pregnancies my havfever (and psoriasis) was definitely much less bad than usual due to reduced immune system.

My hayfever disappeared during pregnancy.

Cetirizine, Loratadine & Chlorphenamine are all perfectly safe during pregnancy, check out the NHS website if you're concerned but don't be a martyr, take the medication! I'm currently TTC and am 12dpo and have taken antihistamines this morning as my hay fever is horrendous

Its going to be a very long pregnancy if this is how anxious you are. And you could be having unprotected sex for months or years until you get there.

Remember, most people carry on completely as normal at this stage. Many won't realise they are pregnant for the first few weeks (and some beyond). Many women will be smoking, drinking, taking drugs - I'm not saying any of those are good, but the vast majority of these babies will be fine.

Hayfever is an asthma trigger for me and my asthma consultant told me I could continue taking loratidine in pregnancy.

I'd speak to your GP surgery or a pharmacist for advice and have a look at the BUMPS website. Don't suffer unnecessarily.

I carried on taking Loratadine through both my pregnancies - it's advised as safe to do so by the NHS.

I suffer from very bad hayfever. When I was pregnant, 22 years ago, I too was worried and stopped taking antihistamines. I just couldn't function, I was so ill. I begged my GP and he told me that it was ok to take them. I did, and again with my second pregnancy. Both my kids are very healthy, sadly both also suffer from allergies, although nowhere as bad as I do.

I agree what everyone above says, but also to present a different perspective, it could be a sign of pregnancy - I had pregnancy rhinitis throughout which mimics hayfever. www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/pregnancy-rhinitis

It shouldn't harm you whilst TTC as someone who has had the worst hayfever (peak was in A&E sneezed 56 times in a row, water bubble on both eyes) A&E Dr wasn't sure how to treat, I'd had both kids by then, my pregnancies were not so great during hayfever time as I didnt take anything, post pregnancy the situation was dire ..and stayed dire for 20 years.. Dr prescribed antihistamines, mask (I wore them pre covid as it helped) maybe see an alternative practitioners..homeopathy worked a bit, the light at end of tunnel is that pre menopause my hayfever has settled so it's now treatable OTC. Dont suffer if you dont need to now OP but do make provisions for either being pregnant or a new mum next year, I'd suggest you plan ahead for then, I wish I had.

My hayfever stopped during pregnancy number 1, didn’t come back until no 3!

If you're happy with needles, you could try acupuncture - best decision I ever made!

Mine too, for all 3 pregnancies.