Stinking cold...any tips?

[katie2bumps]

Hi - 20wks pg with twins and knackered anyway. Have had a stinking cold for a few days that's now turned into a chest infection. Anti biotics from the doctors this morning but looking for any other mumsnet tips to shift this. Really knocked all the energy I do have out of me. Have you tried any good remedies recently that are safe to use?

*sniff

Thanks

Sympathy. 17 weeks and I have a pouring cold, hacking cough, ear infection and a uti. I'll be interested in tips to get the cold gone too!

Vicks on your feet at night really helps. Get a humidifier in your bedroom too, it will help you sleep. I add a few drops of olbas oil to mine.

That sucks! Do take the antibiotics for the chest tho as with a weakened immune system bugs can have a hey-day.

I don't have much in the way of suggestions, other than the usual honey and lemon for sore throats... For the congestion, which was the worst thing for me when I had a cold at about 12 weeks, I found Sterimar spray really good at clearing it for a while (I did weep at the price though - but it worked!). It's just about the only thing you can use in pregnancy as it is just saline with a few extra minerals. It isn't particularly nice to use, but it stopped my nose from being so heavy and bunged up, and I felt much better being able to breathe.

I also used Vicks on a hankie by my pillow rather than on myself, as I didn't want to risk taking anything. Oh and paracetamol, too. Hope that helps and get well soon!

Poor you :(
Hot water with fresh ginger, honey and lemon and spike it with a glug of Rochester ginger (alcohol free!) from Holland & Barrett.

Make a spicy chicken noodle soup - Google Nigella Thai chicken noodle soup or else just throw together something like this:

Chilli, fresh ginger, chicken stock, fish sauce, fresh lime, cooked chicken, any stir fry veg and vermicelli noodles

I recently had a bad cold (25 wks preg) and the above two really helped.

Get well soon!

Try having a steamy shower for your cold, also a bowl of hot water with a teaspoon of Vicks in it, put a teatowel over your head and breathe in the vvapours and steam.

A saline spray for your nose if it gets blocked, also hot ribena is quite nice! I found eating lots of fruit seemed to help.

Oh you can have lockets and halls soothers too.