URGHUHUHUCHGACH! What's the best way to clear a heavily congested chest in a grumpy very pregnant person?

[Agamumnon]

Am 40+ with DS2 and have had a rotten cough for a week.

Have seen docs, am on antibiotics. Thing is, because of the giant baby and all the coughing, I've pulled the muscles in my abdomen so the cough reflex to clear the gunk isn't working very well. My lungs are constantly cracking and whistling :(

Any non-drug tips? I know I should cut out dairy...

Anything else? Can I steam my fat old head?

I want to shift this before I have to go into labour!

It is very difficult to clear congested chest in a short period of time. If you already have ab (and if the infection is bacterial), it will still take a few good days to work through. If it is viral, AB are frankly useless, but it will eventually clear.

If you are really suffering, you can try inhalations with Olbas oil, I do, but I frankly notice little difference. If the gunk is already loose it should help it completely dislodged. Although some doctors i know say that infections should not really get warm treatments at all (so no compresses/vapour rubs/inhalations, etc).

I empathize - I am 30 weeks and March was hideous for me (coughs and pulling muscles)... but it must be much worse for you being so close to term.

Friars Balsam steam inhalations.

To get the stuff up do this.

I like the look of all that huffing, Ben10 jus what I was after. Am going to give it a whirl

The huffing is really really good for helping to get things moving. I was given it after lung surgery so I know it works! Hope you get it all cleared before your delivery :)