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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Colds whilst pregnant - am I over reacting?

23 replies

gimmeadoughnut123 · 27/12/2018 08:54

Avoiding Google because that tells you the worst things possible every time.

Is It ok for baby for me to have a cold whilst pregnant?
I went to a family Christmas lunch yesterday and everyone failed to mention that every single person, apart from my DH and I, was ill. I avoided hugging anyone except my 2 year old nephew but have woken up with a blocked nose. It is fine, isn't it?
As one person had to stay home with flu, I'm just hoping it stops at a cold.

OP posts:

elf1985 · 27/12/2018 08:55

You'll be fine and so will baby. Get to the docs if it looks like flu but a cold will just be a pain x

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 27/12/2018 08:57

You honestly will be fine. Get yourself to the GP if it exceeds 3 weeks, pop paracetamol in event of fever and aches, rub yourself with Vicks, have steamy showers (not THAT sort) and the usual drink loads of water and rest when you can x

FestiveNut · 27/12/2018 08:58

It's fine. Flu hits like a train so you've not got that as you've got a gradual onset of symptoms. Colds do not become flu, they are separate illnesses. It's pretty much impossible to avoid colds at this time of year, don't worry.

Original poster

gimmeadoughnut123 · 27/12/2018 09:01

Thanks all. I've had a chat with the midwife and GP about taking paracetamol anyway for endometriosis pain whilst pregnant and they've said it is safe to take as much as I want basically, so I know I'm ok with that. Gonna start rubbing Vicks all over myself today and hope it buggers off. We are going away for a few days today too!! Typical.

OP posts:

MochiBean · 27/12/2018 09:09

You'll be totally fine (and so will baby) but don't be surprised if it hangs around longer than a cold normally would - your immune system isn't quite so punchy as it's making your little one comfy in there too.

Lots of rest, hot drinks and paracetamol and you'll be feeling better soon I'm sure xx

SoyDora · 27/12/2018 09:15

Of course it’s fine. You can’t avoid colds.
I have a DC who has just started school and one at nursery (and am 40 weeks pregnant). They bring colds and bugs home all the time. I’ve been snotty for months!

FestiveNut · 27/12/2018 09:20

Tbh I would have as little paracetamol as possible. The nhs guidance takes ages to change and generally takes a lot of evidence to shift but there is some indication that taking paracetamol in pregnancy might cause fertility issues in your baby. How much stock you put in that research is up to you of course.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180106103439.htm

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 27/12/2018 09:22

I second what @FestiveNut is saying but having one when you’re almost blind with a headache can be the difference between functioning and not.

Agree though, use selectively x

Spargle · 27/12/2018 09:56

I think I’d probably refrain from rubbing Vicks all over myself - presumably you will absorb more of the ingredients that way, but I think you only want what you get through your nose. I usually just put a hanky with Olbas oil next to my pillow, and try to find some way of inhaling it during the day.

Menthol is dangerous for children’s respiratory systems - it can cause them to be unable to breathe. I’ve not heard that it causes long-term problems, assuming the child didn’t stop breathing and die with the initial exposure, and I know that your baby isn’t using their respiratory system to breathe yet, so is in no immediate danger, but I’d stick to making sure only what I need entered my body, if I could. I don’t think I’d worry especially about putting it on my skin, but I’d still not do it...

Htaylor182 · 27/12/2018 10:07

@Spargle you sound fun to be around.. Not 😳

Spargle · 27/12/2018 10:18

@Htaylor182 I am a nightmare killjoy to be around and have no friends. My tendency not to rub Vicks all over myself combined with a certain amount of caution mean that there is no joy in my life, nor in any of the lives of my family members.

If anyone is interested, here is where I found the information about menthol being dangerous for children’s respiratory systems: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/thebibliosphere.tumblr.com/post/172946750286/oh-my-god-food-extract-is-not-the-same-as-an/amp. It’s a little way down...

Cookit · 27/12/2018 10:23

I thought the evidence was not to use Vicks when you have a young baby because they will inhale it too, but this is not relevant in pregnancy? They’re not inhaling when they’re in utero surely??

I’m only 20 weeks and on my 6th cold or so of the pregnancy. I have a young child at nursery who picks up all sorts so it’s inevitable.

kenandbarbie · 27/12/2018 10:26

You should see about the flu jab too if you are at the right no of weeks.

SoyDora · 27/12/2018 10:27

By the way, don’t worry about googling ‘colds in pregnancy’. It will just say to take paracetamol, have plenty of fluids and not to take decongestants.

whatswithtodaytoday · 27/12/2018 10:34

Babies in utero are not respirating, and I'm not sure tumblr is the best place to get medical advice

Colds are shit in pregnancy OP, they go on for ages and you can't take decongestants. Also your immune system is low and you can be prone to picking up more severe illnesses. You just have to battle through and rest as much as you can. The cold doesn't affect the baby at all, it's completely protected. However, do make sure you take paracetamol to bring down a fever if you have one.

Original poster

gimmeadoughnut123 · 27/12/2018 11:59

Will refrain from using vapour rub the just in case. My GP, surgeon at gyne and midwife all said paracetamol would be absolutely fine. Sadly pre pregnancy I had to take codeine and tramadol a lot for chronic pain. It's subsided a lot in pregnancy but certainly still there (on some days I can literally feel all the tissue that hurts around my uterus stretching and it is agonising). So they have all said taking paracetamol is ok. I only take it if I absolutely can't take the pain. They also said that I could take codeine very sparingly if needed but I would rather leave myself bed ridden and unable to move than do this. But I can double check with them again if others have heard it isn't safe...

OP posts:

Original poster

gimmeadoughnut123 · 27/12/2018 12:00

Forgot to add - already had the flu jab, I work in a very sickly office so was straight on that!

OP posts:

MochiBean · 27/12/2018 14:17

I used vicks when pregnant - just use a little when needed, remember a lot of these products having been tested on pregnant women long term (as that would be unethical) so they say to avoid it not because it causes harm, but because there is no definitive proof to say that it WONT. If your worried you can always melt some in a bowl of hot water and have it near your bed?

As far as codeine goes, if you need it check with your GP first, but you can have it while breastfeeding (I did!) so I imagine it's safe in small amounts if necessary and prescribed.

Stuckforthefourthtime · 27/12/2018 14:20

With older DCs I have had plenty of colds during later pregnancies and all the babies have been fine.

No reason not to use Vicks, the reason they don't recommend for small babies is in case it overwhelms their breathing, the menthol isn't designed to go through your skin in any case.

mumofmunchkin · 27/12/2018 16:12

Use vicks as you would normally - there is no evidence that it causes issues in utero - just don’t put it on your newborn. Your baby isn’t inhaling the menthol at the moment.

While there was a study done on paracetamol, it showed it caused potential fertility issues in mice. As far as I am aware there is currently no evidence that the results translate into humans. As usual, at the time mainstream media overblew the results of this study suggesting that taking paracetamol in pregnancy meant your kid would be infertile. If you need it, take it.

EmilyR1984 · 27/12/2018 16:52

And you wouldn't have caught it from your family yesterday if you woke up with it this morning. Colds have a 5 day incubation period.

Crossfitgirl · 27/12/2018 18:50

If your own healthcare professionals have told you it's fine for you to take paracetamol then that's what I'd do. Nothing on here should ever replace what a medical professional tells you!
As for a cold, yeah you can't avoid it. I work in the NHS and one of my patients told me she had diarrhoea, AFTER I'd finished her appointment! Thanks for that... Gonna go douse myself in bleach now!!
Rest up, drink plenty fluids and feel better soon xxx

Htaylor182 · 27/12/2018 21:32

You can use vicks. Oh my god the people on this forum are nuts sometimes.
I've had a heavy cold for over 2 months now, I am 31 weeks pregnant. I've had about 4 sick bugs too. All thanks to DD bringing them back from nursery.
If you do come down with it bad, calpol saline baby spray for nose. Calpol plug ins before bed. Vicks on your chest. Strong minty sweets to help clear your nose. Boots do a syrup which is made up of honey, sugar no 'medicine' as such but helps line the throat for sore throats. Olbus oil on your pillow. And paracetamol I take 1 before I go to bed so I can get some sleep. If you have a temp which I have had then the kool and soothe baby strips for your head. The baby cannot inhale menthol it's in your womb in a sac! Jesus christ people go way ott sometimes and scare monger others who might be suffering from anxiety.

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