How do you kick a cold during pregnancy???

[HJE17]

It’s been 3 weeks now, and not a mild cold, either. I’m talking a box-of-tissues-a-day, keeping-the-house-awake-with-coughing-all-night type cold. I guess since I’m pregnant my immune system isn’t up to much... but this being sick all the time is becoming exhausting in itself and is starting to get me down. Is there anything I can do to give my immune system a boost and get rid of this cold at long last? I’ve tried to rest, eat well, get fresh air... now what?!

I have no practical advice other than rest as much as you can. I am 17 weeks pg and was where you are 3 weeks ago (dying of a relentless almost migraine inducing cough that actually triggered even more morning sickness) only to be told by the chirpy pharmacist at Boots:

“You’re pregnant! You just have to suffer!”

I could’ve smacked her one and stolen all the Actifed such was the red mist.

Just rest. Plenty water. Paracetamol for temps and headaches. Slather yourself in Vicks. Olbas Oil on a tissue stuffed into your pillowcase. Get the Belvoir ginger cordial and have it with hot water.

This WILL pass: I’m out the other side (just) but one foot in front of the other. And if you do have a DP then they need to get on board with a cold in pregnancy can poleaxe you. X

Paracetamol is allowed, as is toddler cough syrup. Sinus rinse saved my bacon too despite being foul stuff!

Also ginger honey and lemon boiled together seems to help me!

You both recommend ginger... that’s a good idea. I have some in the fridge so will boil up a spicy brew tonight.

Paracetamol has been helping with the occasional headaches but I’m wary of taking it too frequently... plus it really only masks the symptoms rather than actually making anything better!

@PaulHollywoods - I’m glad you’re better now! At what stage did you feel you’d turned a corner?

Hmmm, in truth I’m back to feeling a bit shite as the children have both been ill so I’ve just got it again today but I can confidently say the first three weeks in December, no question. I was out for dinner on the 21st and it was the first day I felt alive at 7pm instead of desperate to sleep.

Ps: ginger will stave off any nausea too (allegedly).

How many weeks are you?

I’m coming up for 39 weeks and have had 2 awful colds since 30 weeks lasting 3 weeks each 😫 it really is awful!!
Vicks vapour rub, paracetamol and I went and got simple linctus from the chemist, it’s a cough syrup but is safe it’s literally lemon honey and glycerine I think, hasn’t shifted it but I’m not coughing as much since taking it so it’s certaibly eased it. Coughing your guys up at 38 weeks is god awful! Tena lady have been my life I’m afraid 😭

Harrypotterfan - oh no, you’re leaking down there too?! As if a leaky nose wasn’t enough! Poor you! 😂

PaulHollywoods - I’m 27 weeks with #2. I think DD1 is also the source of this plague. Daycare is the worst for that! Sorry that you’re unwell again...

Steam inhalation to clear the airways and mucus, helps with coughing. A few drops of Olbas oil in the water.

Lemon and honey in hot water, soothes the throat and tastes better than lemsip.

Sambucol, vitamin C and zinc to boost the immune system. Echinacea if it's safe to take in pregnancy (can't remember).

Plus the boring but effective fluids and rest.

Get well soon

Lots of rest, paracetamol and water! My cold started at about 5 weeks - I'm now coming up to 12 weeks and I'm only just starting to feel back to normal again. I'm usually pretty good at fighting them off but this one knocked me for six! Get well soon xx

As thick a question as this may be; is it a “truth” then that in pregnancy a cold will hit you harder because your body isn’t working as hard against it because it’s busy growing a baby??

Because I was hit for six last time and am starting to feel like total shite again....that would be an actual months with two colds in!!

Over 2 months and counting with this cold. Literally have been pretty much bed bound the whole time it's completely nocked me and now gone on my chest. Doctors just keep saying you'll be fine in a few days. That was back in Oct 🙃
Also in same boat DD brought back from nursery, they do like to share don't they!
During the day i steam, normally sit in shower room. Saline spray, baby stuff calpol is handy clears it a tiny bit. Strong minty /menthol sweets fisherman ones are brutal but great. Vicks vapour rub, I coat myself in this every night. Calpol vapour plug I have this in about 30 mins before I go to bed. Olbus oil, my pillows are soaked every night . I take 1 paracetamol not every night but every few days if I need a good sleep I find it just takes the edge off it and let's me have a few hrs uninterrupted. Lots of fluids. Lots of tissues resorted to buying cheap toilet roll as Im going through so much. My poor snout is so red and raw I brought some healing balm for it. And I have been eating a bag of oranges a day. Not joking. And orange juice and the liquid preg vitimin stuff because I have had about 4 sick bugs since Sept too. I hope your feeling better soon.i literally cannot wait to be able to breathe through my nose again, smell things and also for my taste buds to return!