Decongestents in 2nd trimester

[Ozziegirly]

I have such a heavy cold and am having difficulty sleeping as I am so bunged up. Olbas oil and vicks not touching it.

I have done a bit of research which seems to suggest that decons with pseudoephredine (sp) are ok once the 1st trimester is over but has anyone read any risks that I haven't come accross?

I'm 18 weeks.

I had a cold at 22 weeks and I was advised NOT to touch decongestant by a pharmacist....and the pharmacist advised me not to have Strepsils either, only Halls Soothers & other type of throat sweet which I can't recall the name of (which I refused as they make me boak).

HTH and get well soon!!

Did they say why? I always think pharmacists say no to everything but I want a risk to quantify!

For a good night's sleep I would take some risks but not others......

I was told the same thing re decongestants by my midwife. If you read the side of the packets they ALL say do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding. Go to your Drs as they may be able to prescribe something (don't forget if you've got your certificate it's all free)

You can get a saline spray from Boots/chemist which works very well and is completely safe, also karvol capsules or vapourising plug in.

Go to your GP. I was told I could use a decongestant nasal spray like Vicks Sinex. The pack does say that it is not for use in pregnancy. That is because they have not tested it on pregnant women - not necessarily that there is a known problem with it.

I am just into the third trimester now and have been prescribed piriton by a hospital doctor, for itching. It has also helped with the cold I had last week.

Same here. Chemist said I couldn't use any nasal sprays etc but I went to the docs and he prescribed one for me. I couldn't have slept without it to be honest!

I'm in my first trimester and have been using Otrivine which says 'check with your Dr before using' rather than 'do not use if pregnant'. As Runningoutofideas says, this warning is because there hasn't been adequate testing on pregnant women, not because there is anything necessarily wrong.

I get colds a lot, especially when pregnant and refuse to be bunged up and miserable when I know the spray will make me a lot more comfortable. I used the spray throughout my first pregnancy and had no problems so am using it again now.