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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

I am ill

18 replies

1987Laura · 20/09/2018 00:43

So my lovely boyfriend has decided to pass his viral infection to me. It feels like a really bad cold. My throat is like razors, my head is pounding and my nose is either running like mad or blocked. It can't decide what to do.
I am 10+5 only been taking paracetamol, what else can i take? Are throat lozenges ok?

OP posts:
Angharad07 · 20/09/2018 00:48

I’m in the same position but am 29 weeks. Lozenges like ‘Soothers’ are fine but make sure you check other brands like Strepsils for decongestants.

You can’t take decongestants while pregnant as they thin the blood vessels in the placenta. So no ibuprofen, no Lemsip or special cold medicine . It’s a bit shit tbh.

I’ve just stuck to paracetamol, soothers and warm ribena.

Original poster
1987Laura · 20/09/2018 00:51

Thanks. Im im absolute agony. I have bad sinuses anyway so any kind of aggrevation and in pain. This isn't fun

OP posts:
Liverbird77 · 20/09/2018 05:57

I had similar symptoms. Starting to feel better after 2.5 weeks. The pharmacist told me not to take anything, including strepsils. Get loads of rest and water. It is horrid.

SelinaMyers · 20/09/2018 06:00

I’ve been up all night with a sore throat and sniffles. Spoke to the pharmacist yesterday and she said there was nothing I could take. Please don’t let it last 2.5 weeks!!

PollyFlinderz · 20/09/2018 06:11

You all sound as if you need more than TLC so I'd like to suggest old fashion ginger tea with honey and lemon in it. If you have it alongside your paracetamol its to all intents and purposes like a lemsip.

You can buy tea bags to add the honey to but personally I like to make a mix up fresh or even just hot water with any of the ingredients.

I hope you all feel better soon.

Original poster
1987Laura · 20/09/2018 07:36

I had a hot lemon cordial this morning to try to trick myself in thinking i was having a lemsip......didn't work

OP posts:
HellaFresh · 20/09/2018 09:29

I had a bad cold whole around 17 weeks. Just took paracetamol, and made honey and lemon drinks.

Most other things that helps when I am not pregnant, like strepsils you can’t have.

Just had to ride it out. Took about 2 weeks

PollyFlinderz · 20/09/2018 11:04

I had a hot lemon cordial this morning to try to trick myself in thinking i was having a lemsip......didn't work

Im not surprised.

Onthebrink87 · 20/09/2018 11:45

They do make lemsips without a decongestant, literally just paracetamol. Also hot water with a couple of menthol crystals is completely underrated brilliant for relieving congestion

Original poster
1987Laura · 20/09/2018 12:40

I bought a kid's olbas plug in thing. Then i read the box and you can't use it when pregnant so i had to take it back

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 20/09/2018 12:42

You can use saline nasal spray. Any boiled sweet should help your throat

magpie24 · 20/09/2018 13:12

How about a warm but not hot bath? Hope you feel better

Blondemother · 20/09/2018 14:34

Can you run a really hot bath/shower and sit in a steamy bathroom for a bit if you’re bunged up?
Being ill and not being able to take any medication is miserable!

NewNameDueToMyIdiocy · 20/09/2018 14:53

I use Olbas Oil and Vicks when pregnant. I could find zero compelling reasons not to documented anywhere. Currently using Vaporub for a cold that sounds very similar to yours, my sinuses are thanking me.

The "bumps" website (Best Use of Medicine in Pregnancy) is good if you're in doubt about anything.

They say the following:
"Decongestants
Some essential oils (e.g. eucalyptus, camphor, menthol and others) have decongestant properties and are commonly used to treat a blocked nose. Combinations of these oils are present in commercially available inhaled decongestants (e.g. Olbas Oil, Vicks VapoRub, Karvol). The manufacturers of these products recommend that pregnant women consult their doctor before use. Although there are no specific pregnancy safety studies of these products, one small study of around 170 pregnant women who had applied oil of camphor (an ingredient in Vicks VapoRub) to their skin in early pregnancy showed no link to an increased risk of birth defects in their babies."

Original poster
1987Laura · 21/09/2018 07:03

Is it safe to take paracetamol every 4 hours? I'm trying not to take any, only when my gead and throat become unbearable

OP posts:
Angharad07 · 22/09/2018 14:34

It is OP! I’ve been treasuring the next paracetamol dose! Paracetamol is about the only thing we can take ugh

RosiePosies · 22/09/2018 16:21

Had this a couple of weeks ago OP - I drank lots of hot water with lemon squeezed in it, honey and lemon would be good as well. Lozenges, baths, olbas oil, paracetamol and lots of rest also helped. As your boyfriend is obviously so kind and sharing 🙄 he can wait on you hand and foot.

Buffy81 · 23/09/2018 21:37

I Have had a cold on and of for most of this pregnancy, and the last 4 mornings now I have been waking up with a dry mouth croaky voice and then I end up bring up loads of phlegm. Dose anybody know if there is anything that I can take to help brake the phlegm down?

Is it best that I talk to a midwife/pharmacist? (currently moving gp so not sure who my midwife will be) I am 22 wks. Even my dh and dson have a cold or are getting one

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