Can I take decongestants?

[mojomands]

I'm totally blocked up my ears are too and I can't hear very much. Is there a safe decongestant or natural remedy I can take to help clear things???

not sure, ring nhs direct? ask pharmacist, but be warned, probably not. sit over bowl hot water, or drink hot water/lemon/honey type things.

I had hell with my hayfever while pg, so sympathies!!!!!1

'Fraid not. At least, not that I could find. I usually get really blocked sinuses if I have a cold and decongestants are the first things I reach for when cold symptoms strike. Alas, not while pregnant. You could try sitting with your head under a towel over a bowl of boiling water - some people find the steam helps. Otherwise, it's a case of gritting your teeth and putting up with it.

pharmacist told me olbas oil was ok

Or Karvol. Nothing along the lines of Lemsip or the like that really work though . Steaming is probably your best bet.

mojomads - I had a stinking cold last week and my midwife said specifically no decongestants. There is a particular chemical (can't remember the name, damn pregnancy brain!) - that she said can cause fetal abnormalities, so I really wouldn;t risk it
She suggested the old steaming yuor head over a bowl of just boiled water with olbas oil in routine. Make a tent over your head with a towel to trap all the steam, feels awful at the time but afterwards its heavenly being able to breath

How pregnant are you? Early on, no, sorry...but in third trimester I've been told (OB) its ok to take a night time dose of specific antihistamine (found in medised or Benelyn kids cough mixture) which does dry it up a bit. Not a decongestant, though - more a dry-er-upper. And not for too long, or too much.