Chest infection and avoiding antibiotics

[Expiealidocious]

I've got a nasty cough at the moment and am prone to chest infections that usually require antibiotics to shift. Any tips for avoiding this and trying to heal before I need them?

Don't be daft and ignore advice or prescriptions from your doctor.

But, if it hasn't got to that stage yet, evidence suggests that good food, good sleep and fresh air should help.

Steam inhalations snd keeping moving to help clear the gunk from your chest. Sadly if you're prone to chest infections you may find you have no choice but antibiotics because your immune system is weakened in pregnancy and infections move from early stage to needing treatment much quicker. There are antibiotics that are safe in pregnancy though so if you need them, take them

The posters above are right - steam is great (really fabulous) for easing your chest, gentle excercise if it's only above the neck, take care of yourself, plenty of rest, fresh veggies etc. But.... If it progresses, see your doc immediately and take the antibiotics if they are given. They are much lower in risk than if you went on to get pneumonia (I know from personal experience! )

Don't worry about taking abs if you need them - there are plenty that are safe in pregnancy, and it's more important that you are strong and healthy for delivery.

I sympathise - I get horrendous chest infections and they are miserable.

You can take antibiotics. You don't say how far along you are but untreated chest infections in pregnancy can cause difficulties later on and can turn nasty. Your GP should be able to check if you need antibiotics. I'm on them at the moment and pg!

Last pregnancy I had to take abs TWICE! After not taking them for 25 yrs. Was gutted. Once for tonsillitis and once for chest infection. I held out for weeks both times but by the time I went to the doc she said the potential risk of taking antibiotics was far less than the potential harm I was doing by being badly sick for weeks and weeks during pregnancy.

I've just remembered last pregnancy holding off on antibiotics. I was 35 weeks and had an emcs. Coughing after that was not pleasant, I thought my guts would fall out! Although of course they didn't but wish I'd got it sorted before all that unexpectedly happened

There are antibiotics that are safe to take during pregnancy. If you need them, you really should take them. There's no point in suffering.