How do a bad cough and labour mix?

[Jenwig]

I am due today and fed up. I have a bad cough which has resulted in a painful pulled muscle in my stomach. I seem to be having "false labour" symptoms like the odd burst of irregular contractions and backache every few days but still nothing properly happening. My cough is driving me mad but I don't think its likely to go away anytime soon. Any tips for getting rid of it when no medication is allowed? Also, do you think it will make labour even worse and if so should I put off trying to do everying I can to get things going?? All advice gratefully received.

I had a cold/cough at 40 weeks with DS2, it went, I went into labour, I think your body will only let you go into labour once you are well enough, it is a very clever thing y'know!

And I think looking back I could have been coughing like an 80-a-day-smoker and wouldn't have cared less compared to labour!

a spoonful of honey can help soothe a tickly cough - no clue re labour though...

the midwives gave me simple linctus while i was on the postnatal ward and i think you can take it while pg? not sure though.

i had a hacking cough for a few days before I went into labour, it disappeared while i gave birth then reappeared a few hours after.
am fairly sure my cough actually started my labour off (at 37 wks) as i coughed when i sat on the loo and had a show, ds born the next day!

even if your cough continues i don't think you'll really notice, as nataliejane says.

I laboured with a bad chest infection and it didn't bother me at all, all I was thinking about and concerned about was the labour. I didn't realise until afterward that I had a chest infection though, it gto so bad I struggled to breathe, had chest pains and referred pain in my shoulder.

You'll be fine Good luck.

I had sinusitis and a cough/cold when 41 weeks with DD2, I think my body waited until I was over the worst of it before going into labour.

I don't remember it bothering me that much but I do remember taking the G&A out my mouth to cough.

Cough medicines in general do not work that well (placebo effect) you can get a general honey and lemon linctus from the chemist and/or have a few paracetamol if in pain.

I had a bit of a cold and an irritating cough and sore throat when I went in for my (lengthy) induction at T+13. I asked for soluble paracetamol frequently and simple linctus. Soon had more pressing ailments to concern me. By the time DD was born at T+15 previous minor irritants had gone. My main concern was I'd have a CS and how much it would hurt each time I coughed but I had a ventouse so it was ok

Thanks for all the encouraging advice. Still here and coughing but seems to be slightly better. Due to be induced on the 11th if nothing happens before then. Liz79 - am slightly concerned at the length of your labour following induction!!