35 wks with a never ending cold

[BarefootBaritone]

Getting concerned that a cold i've had for over 6 weeks now will never shift (and the thought of going into labour while not being able to breathe properly and totally knackered is worrying me considerably). Have seemed to pick up every cold going this time round

Am constantly snotty, very chesty at night and today it seems to have taken up residence in my ears as well leaving me with a head in a goldfish bowl feeling, and right ear hurting. Taking paracetamol (mainly for the earache at the moment) have tried honey/lemon/steam, they helped while i had sore throat but not for the snot and phlegm (sorry TMI!)

Aim is to boost the old immunue system in preparation for D-Day. I finish work at the end of the month, but then will be at home contending with DD (2.8) so probably not a huge amount of rest, as she no longer naps.

Is it worth bothering my doctor? Not keen on taking antibiotics, and don't think it's necessarily an infection anyway. Told Midwife but suspect is just par for the course. Normally would take echinacea and zinc to combat a cold - but not sure these safe when pg? Ditto Sudafed for the bunged up ears, but know they're out.

Any ideas for a weary and snotty big bird?! Willing to try almost anything legal and safe!

I had this at about 25 weeks, had colds & no voice for nearly a month and felt rotten so totally sympathise. Think the bump takes all the good stuff and leaves you with rotten immunity (spesh when you've got a DD bringing bugs home with you) plus your lungs are getting more and more squashed which doesn't help breathing!

Mine did clear up on its own, but did not spread to earache which is horrible.

I'd suggest at the very least going to chat to a pharmacist who should be able to tell you what you can and can't take while pregnant.

If they can't help, I'd go to the doctors to get some definite advice, even if you don't want to take antibiotics. They might suggest another blood test to see if you've got any signs of anaemia which might be make it difficult to shift the bugs.

Is there anyone who can help out with your DD? My mum came over and did a few morning shifts to let me rest and sleep which did make all the difference. Or just take a day or two sick leave if possible and rest - you are ill after all (and not particularly pregnancy-related so don't think it should affect your maternity leave)

Hope you manage to shift it soon

As colds don't generally last 6 weeks it might be best to see your GP to check its not an infection, they might also be able to advise you on safe cures / aids during pregnancy!

As MrsD said, I'd have a chat with a pharmacist too, pregnancy vitamins do contain zinc so I can't see why that would be a problem but best to check it out first! Not sure about the echinacea?

You can take Venos Expectorant, helped me a lot with the stuffiness / sore throat .etc with my cold before Christmas.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

Thanks for your ideas - my hand was forced in the end. Had an earache which got progressively worse and worse until at about 5:30 in the morning (sobbing quietly to myself that "if i can't cope with an earache how am i going to cope with birth!") i took some more paracetamol and finally dozed off. When i woke at 8 my pillow was covered in bloody goo but it had stopped hurting! My eardrum had perforated (oh the relief!!) I am totally deaf in that ear now (and the other is still bunged up) but it's well worth it for it not to hurt like that!

On antibiotics now, not seen much improvement yet (day 4) but fingers crossed it will help pull everything back together (and i remembered to request the inevitable canesten at the same time.... but that's another story!)

Sadly no-one who can help out with DD but am feeling much more in control now. Final 8 days at work and trying to get as much sleep as poss as, fully agree, it's the single best cure for everything! I managed to fall asleep on the good ear last night and DP got up when the baby monitor apparently went nuts during a power cut! I heard not a thing for a change - hehehe! :)

Thanks all