Cold whilst pregnant.... At my wits end

[HollyJenni]

Hello ladies.
I'm 7 weeks pregnant and have been in my house resting since Friday due to what I can only describe as the mother of all colds. I cannot breathe, then I'm snotty, I'm too hot then too cold, a headache that won't go away.
Normally I would dose up on aspirin and lemsips but they are a no no.
Anyone else been in the same boat? I came to bed at 9pm and watched a bit of towie and felt sleepy but the minute my other half came up to bed I just haven't been able to sleep.
Arggghhhh

You can take paracetamol.

I never find paracetamol that effective.... I'm so congested lol.might try sticking my head over a bowl of hot water lol

I had the most horrendous cold from 6-8 weeks and suffered on just paracetamol and tixylix, big mistake it turned into a chest infection! Ended up at the GP who prescribed me antibiotics which cleared me up in about 6 days.

I feel miserable. It's the lack of sleep that is annoying me. I am very tempted to go downstairs now and put my head over a bowl of hot water. I'm getting ear ache as well now lol X

I wrote my (longish) pregnancy treatment list on a post on this forum earlier this evening, have a look, HTH!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2527717-Finally-got-BFP-and-full-of-cold

Here you go

Steam
Paracetamol
Olbas oil
Vicks inhaler
Honey and lemon hot drink

Huge sympathies, I had a terrible cold for most of the first trimester and it developed into sinusitis and I ended up on antibiotics and even then it took another week to clear completely.

I read a thread on here that suggested running an electric toothbrush along your sinuses and across your nose and lots of people said how good it was. I was a bit dubious but gave it a go as I was in so much pain and I have to say it does help!! Mine were so blocked though!

Boots does a version of Lemsip that only has paracetamol, not the decongestant, so you can take that. But it might not be much help if your nose is blocked, sorry.

You guys are just awesome. I miscarried in August so I'm already anxious so to have this cold now is just frustrating x

Buy a sinus rinse kit from the chemist - feels completely bizarre and you're sure you will drown but you won't (I promise!) and it's the best thing for clearing out your sinuses without drugs. Completely fine when pregnant and gives immediate relief.

Also a hot water bottle for earache works wonders.

The pharmacist said to me that when he tells pregnant women they can't take anything for a cold, plenty of them cry. I nearly did, I felt so dreadful. Also I managed to get really bunged up on holiday - I would have done pretty much anything for some otrivine! - and flying home was utter agony, thought my head was going to explode and was stone deaf for hours after landing. Never do that!

Here are some things that helped:

Hot water with fresh lemon juice
Airwaves menthol chewing gum
Sitting in a steamy bathroom
Swearing

I am in the same boat. Have had SIL visit who has very kindly passed on her germs (and is now sitting on my sofa wondering why I have a cold. Actually told me that my immunity must be low .... Ya think??? I am pregnant, you moron!) ... Grrr.

Anyway, a few things that have helped me

• Grated ginger with honey and lemon in hot water (a million times a day) - specially if you have lost your voice like me.
• Steam with a couple of drops of peppermint or tea tree essential oil
• Almonds (8-10 of them get rid of mild headaches for me. No idea why but they do)
• Sounds obvious but blowing my nose every 2 seconds. The skin on my nose is peeling but better out than in.
• Must confess, I have been using otrivine once before i go to bed so i can get some sleep but during the day, the above help.

Counting down the days until SIL leaves.

Menthol crystals are allowed. You only need a tiny bit in hot water to shift the tight congestion.

I find that 4head rub on stuff helps too.

Hi,

I had 2 cold whilst I was pregnant - both lasting about 10 days each. I spent at least 2-3 days in bed I felt that foul. Much to the displeasure of my manager as for my first cold I took 3 sick days then 2 for the second! She actually tried to tell me at one point it was a 'pregnancy related illness' so I should maybe start my mat leave early!

I would say to take your time, get better and don't go to work if you can help it. I took paracetamol and tyrozettes.

Hope you feel better soon

xx

Sympathy - had awful cold while pregnant first time, flu while breastfeeding, and just now cold/croup while pregnant again... I didn't want to take paracetamol as wasn't sure of safety.
It's really not fun and sure makes you grateful for modern medicine (when you can take it!).
My best remedy is an amped-up version of the lemon and honey drinks: add chopped ginger, garlic and fresh chilli: all good for you and really pep you up a bit!

I had a cold that turned into sinusitis a few weeks back and the lovely ladies on here helped me through it. One thing that really helped was a seawater nasal spray. It was great for the congestion, cleared my sinuses out and the relief when I could breathe a bit more easily was priceless.

Calpol daline nasal drops are allowed in pregnancy. I've been using them whilst breastfeeding too as sod all that you can have then either.

You guys have been do helpful. I still have congestion. I went back to work today and then had a migraine with aura which I haven't had since I took microgynon lol x

Menthol 4Head stick is great OP.

Vicks on your chest at night to help you breathe. Reapply liberally when needed! Lack of sleep was the worst thing for me too.

Regular honey and fresh squeezed lemon hot drinks will help a sore throat.

i'm currently using blobs of Vicks Vaporub (own brands are probably just as good) in ups of boiled water and inhaling and find it's doing quite well at clearing out my nose :)

You arent supposed to use Vicks or any decongestant when pregnant. Literally all you can take is paracetomol.