lowered immunity in pregancy?

[K1K2]

Hi-I wonder if any MN out here know definitively whether your immunity is naturally lowered during pregancy? Up until a few years ago , I rarely got a cold. This year so far during my mid trimester I picked up a terrible cold that has lasted on/off about 6 weeks , or, I got one in mid January, sort of got over it and have now contracted another stonker. Either way my immune system is not battling it very well, and it's getting me down, especially when having to deal with all the other minor aliments of pregancy. I also happen to be over 40 , so the ageing process might have something to do with it!

It tends to be lower apparently, especially at the beginning, so that the body doesn't reject the baby as a 'foreign body'. I had the opposite in my pg with ds, mind you - only got one cold throughout, despite being pg all autumn and winter - and this time dh has had the most awful coldy coughy thing and I've been spared. (Sorry - don't hate me )

I hadn't had a cold for years, not so much as a sniffle. I'm on my third cold this pregnancy (this time accompanied by a chest infection and that run over by a bus feeling).

And I'm only 26 so hopefully it's not age related.

Sorry you are feeling crappy. I had heard it is lower. I am currently 32 weeks pregnant - had tonsillitis about 6 weeks ago and have not been the same since. Really feel like rubbish - sore throat and coughing for England. Keep going back to Drs to be old it is a virus, keep drinking warm drinks and rest. Easier said than done when pregnant with number 3! Never mind, only 6 days at work to go!

I've been thinking this too! I have a cold, I'm 10+3 pregnant and getting ill is really unusual for me. I reckon it is because the baby is taking all the nutrients it needs from your food and may be leaving you deficient ie your immune system will be weakened. Try a multivitamin like Pregnacare, that might help. Also it doesn't hurt to take Vitamin C, I take 1g a day (two extra strength tabs).

My immune system always gave up while pregnant - I would get mouth and skin fold thrush infections, which I have never ever got while not pregnant.