Expectorant cough medicines: safe in pregnancy?

[thelady]

Right, I've just spent 20 mins on the phone to NHS 24 and I'm hoping someone here is able/willing to give me the definitive answer instead.

I'm 7 months pregnant. Healthy bar a nasty cold which is easing off nicely, but which has left me with a very chesty cough. My tummy muscles are starting to protest, and I'd like to take an expectorant to help shift the stuff.

NHS 24 want me to see an out-of-hours GP and take antibiotics, which I neither need nor want - I'm getting better, honest - and will not answer my question as to whether an expectorant is safe.

Anyone? Please?

Sorry, I can't advise but I was hoping you might have some advice on cold remedies... I've got a stinky cold, feel miserable and want to take a decongestant like Sinutabs but they all say consult a doctor and the pharmacist in Boots said not to.

What does the cough medicine small print say?

No not recommended according to pharmacists

Botheration!

I think the problem is that no-one's done the tests. An NHS24 doctor phoned me back a few minutes ago and basically said that because none of these cough remedies are in the BNF (British National Formulary) she has no information on side-effects etc.

Recommendations are to continue as I have been:

• lots of hot drinks
• minimal dairy products
• steam inhalation, hot showers etc

And if it really doesn't shift, go and get an antibiotic on Monday.

I@m finding that the airwave gum (vile stuff!) does help to clear my nose even if it doesn't do much for the coughing.

HOpe you feel better soon widgetsmummy!

Thanks! You too!

Maybe I'll try for next baby over the summer!!!

Olbas oil in a steam inhalant is great !! If you are hacking up green/ yellow spit or start to feel breathless or have chest pain- deffo get seen by a dr/ NHS walk in centre/ GP.

Thanks Alfie72 - will have to wait until Monday to get olbas oil (nothing local open except the Co-op tomorrow). No pain except for tummy muscles - or what would be tummy muscles if there wasn't a bump in the way

Hope you are feeling better soon and glad the bump is ok !!

Expectorants just stop you coughing don't they and so you should avoid if you want to actually get rid of what's sitting on your chest.

Newlife: expectorants are those that make you cough, open your airways etc. Suppressants (with codeine) are the ones that stop you coughing, and I'd never use them - quick way to get pneumonia I'd think.

oops, sorry -
I did wonder !

I wouldn't let it get too bad - I ended up waiting for a doctor for over 3 hours yesterday as I was really breathless after a cold then chesty cough. I was given an inhaler in the end something I have never had before. If its still bothering you tomorrow go to your GP.

I had a really nasty chest cold at 8 months pregnant. Was advised to avoid expectorants (specifically Benylin, which said 'consult with a doctor before use if pregnant' rather than 'not suitable in pregnancy')'if I could manage without'.

I avoided, initially, then ended up in A&E on oxygen cause my breathing got so bad (I am asthmatic which didn't help but real prob was that a lot of lung capacity was taken up by baby already).

After that I was sent home, with expectorant.

If the same happened again I would take a tried and trusted expectorant without letting things get that bad.