How can I treat a cough when pregnant

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

Pharmacist said there was nothing I could take for a cough other than paracetamol. Not sure what paracetamol is supposed to do when I am being kept awake at night coughing!

There must be something that can help ease an irritating tickly cough?

Try steam inhalation that will help open the airways and chest, olbas oil or just menthol should be safe to use, 3-4 times a day and before bed. But I'd check with the gp or midwife if they are ok to use.

Teaspoon of honey?

I was told pholcodine was safe, and took it occasionally.

I swear by honey. Coats the throat so you don't get the irritation that makes you cough.

Or het lemon juice and water with honey also works.

manuka honey is the absolute best!

Steam works for me, adding olbas oil when I want to make up and essential oil of frankincense at night, to help relax me.

you can buy a mix of glycerin, honey and lemon which soothes for long enough to drop off

Jakemans lozenges are very good, the black ones.

Is your cough due to mucus running down your throat? I had a cold in v early pregnancy that led to a horrid cough, every time I lay down I was coughing so much I was vomiting and it was mucus irritating my throat that was running down the back of my nose/throat.

I went to doc and they said I couldn't take anything, same with male pharmacist, male doc and pharmacist were so dismissive. I then went to another pharmacy and was explaining to the lady pharmacist that I was SO TIRED from not sleeping due to awful cough making me vomit, hadn't slept in days etc. She recommended this:

<a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/neilmed-adult-sinus-rinse-starter-kit-10-sachets" target="_blank">http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/neilmed-adult-sinus-rinse-starter-kit-10-sachets

OMG it was so amazing, flushed out my sinuses so there was nothing to run down my throat, so nothing to make me cough and I got an amazing nights sleep for the first time in ages.

Also you can take vicks first defence to prevent future colds and coughs - that same pharmacist said I could take it every day if I liked.

What kind of cough do you have, dry or wet, productive cough? For both hot honey and lemon tea frequently to coat throat and steam airways. Steaming with Vicks or Olbas oil. Dry coughs need more moisture so perhaps use a humidifier at night?

If cough is wet, sleep slightly propped up on pillows so mucus cannot run down your throats and try to expel as much mucus into tissues as you every time you have excess.

Thanks for the tips - a honey and lemon in the middle of the night last night helped ease the coughing fit and I ended up with a jar of honey and a spoon next to my bed!