Sudafed! Blocked up and going mad!

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I've had my flu vaccine, so it can only be a cold, but had it far too long partly cos I cant shift the snot! (sorry tmi)! My husband is taking sudafed for sinuses plus all other required cold/flu releif. It says on the sudafed tablets and nasal spray not to take if Prenant and/or Breastfeeding. Im 16 weeks pregnant. I can't see the harm of a nasal decongestant. Any one have any advice, help or experience??? Help gratfully received as I sit here feeling like my head is going to go "POP" any second!!

Dont take it. It works because it constricts the blood vessels in the nose (nasal congestion isn't actually caused by snot build up but by swelling of the tissues that line the nasal cavity). The reason it's not suitable for pregnant women is that there is a risk (albeit minute) that the active ingredient could cause the blood vessels that supply the baby to constrict as well.

I had pregnancy rhinitis for 4 wks and was allowed to use Otrivin spray (same as Sudafed) on my Obstetrician's instructions but I was much further on- 34 weeks.

In the meantime, try a Vicks Inhaler stick and a saline nasal spray- better than nothing

Don't take it. Just because its a nasal spray rather than a tablet doesn't mean you're not ingesting it.

Besides, most of it would go down your throat anyway

I also have a lingering cold and am pg, would love to be able to take the decongestants! I've found that holding my face over a bowl of steaming water helps temporarily. And also hot drinks, I especially like the bottlegreen lemongrass and ginger cordial with hot water as it's a bit spicy too.

hi i am 40 weeks tomorrow and have been full.of cold all week and eventually spoke to doctor yesterday and he said to only use vicks or olbas oil and paracetamol for the headache as it is not safe to take anything else. so my suggestion would be not to use it as you can imagine i am petrified of going into labor full if cold and exhausted and making my new little baby poorly but unfortunately it is not safe to use anything else! if you feel nothing is working my advice would be to consult your doctor before using anything else hth

Not sure about pregnancy but you def can't take decongestant when bf as it dries up milk supply. They sometimes give it after still birth to stop the milk building up.

Hot water, melted vick in it and a towel. Steam inhalation does work.

I just getting over a horrid cold and the best trick was to use an ice pack on my face. Wrap it up in a tea towel and place it on your cheeks. It doesn't need to sit on there all the time, but it will reduce the swelling and the pain enormously!! This was a life saver for me last week!

Saline nasal spray, karvol capsules or one of those plug ins for babies.

Yep steam and Vicks/olbas oil. Hot drinks, fresh air. Have you considered menthol sweets? Not medicated though.

I have some vicks sinex soother nasal spray, I've had horrible sinus / blocked nose all week i did a bit of Google research last night and actually there is no evidence to suggest it can cause harm in pregnancy.

I decided the pros out weighed any unknown cons and did a couple of squirts! am 35 weeks and baby is perfectly fine.

everything is moderation; so unless you sit and squirt a whole bottle up your nose you will be fine.

I had sinusitis whilst pg in first tri so you have my sympathies. Go to pharmacy and get a babies saline nasal spray which is safe. It's obviously not as good as adult drugs but its 'cooling' and relieves the pressure. Saviour for me!

That and head over a bowl of steaming Vicks as others have suggested.

GL!

My doc just prescribed me beconase spray for inflamed nostrils and sinus pain. I would try get an appoint and find out options.

Get some saline nasal spray (you can get it in the kids/baby section at Boots/Superdrug). Alternatively you could try a neti pot.

Go to doctor and check what you can have they prescribed me beconase spray and an inhaler so there are things you can take while pregnant but better to be safe and sure