Coughs and colds in pregnancy

What causes a cold?

There are more than 200 viruses that cause symptoms of the common cold. Colds are spread by germs when someone sneezes or coughs. The germs can also live on hands and other surfaces for 24 hours. A cold virus can enter your body through your nose, mouth or eyes.

The symptoms last about a week, although a cough can last up to three weeks. Because colds are caused by a virus and not by bacteria, antibiotics won’t help you get better.

Sometimes a viral or bacterial infection of your throat, sinuses, ears, or chest can follow a cold. Look out for any signs of a sinus infection, such as a fever and yellow, green, or red mucus.

Some bacterial infections may need an antibiotic, so see your doctor if your symptoms keep getting worse.

Always see your doctor if you get a high fever or severe breathlessness while you are pregnant.

Why am I getting more coughs and colds now that I'm pregnant?

You’re very likely to pick up a cold at some time during your pregnancy because it’s normal to catch two to three colds a year.

Also, during pregnancy, your immune system changes so that its main purpose is to protect your developing baby. This can make your defences against the infection are lower than usual.

Young children get colds even more often, and if you’re around them, you may catch colds more frequently.

Will it harm my baby if I have a cold?

Having an ordinary cold, though miserable for you, should not be harmful to your health or your baby’s.

Even so, always check with your doctor if you have any concerns about your health at any stage during your pregnancy.

How can I tell if it’s a cold and not flu?

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between a cold and flu. Colds can make you feel down and out, so it’s easy to feel as if you’re coming down with the flu.

With a cold, you may have the following symptoms:

• sore throat
• blocked or runny nose
• sneezing
• cough

Although not as common, you may also get other symptoms including a mild fever and headache.

Generally, flu comes on faster, causes a higher fever, headache, muscle aches, sweating and can make you feel exhausted. If you’re not sure, see your doctor quickly, because flu in pregnancy can be harmful for you and your baby.

You should also see your doctor if you have a persistent cough for more than three weeks, or a constant low-grade fever. These could be symptoms of tuberculosis (TB).

How can I avoid catching a cold in pregnancy?

You’re most likely to pick up the virus when you touch someone who has a cold, or an object they’ve recently handled, like a phone or a door handle, then touch your nose or eyes. So following good hygiene rules really can help prevent colds from spreading.

You can’t always avoid a cold and cough, but to give yourself the best chance, try to:

• Wash your hands often with warm soapy water, especially after you’ve been around someone who has a cold.
• Avoid touching your nose or eyes, especially while out and about.
• Stay away from anyone who has a cold, if possible. It's hard to avoid colds completely, though, as people are contagious a few days before their symptoms begin.
• Ask those around you to practise the “catch it, bin it, kill it” routine. People with a cold should catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, throw it away, and wash their hands. Coughs and sneezes spread germs that can linger in the air.
• Wash your hands if you’ve picked up a dirty tissue.
• Keep surfaces in your home and office clean.
  
• Avoid sharing cutlery, cups or plates with someone who has a cold.
• Avoid sharing towels – use your own, or use paper towels to dry your hands.
  

Taking a daily vitamin C supplement won't prevent you from getting a cold, but it may make it less severe and last a shorter time. Taking a zinc supplement as soon as a cold starts may also cut the time the virus lasts. However, you should speak to your doctor first as she can prescribe the right one for you. Never take any supplements or over-the-counter medication without your doctor's approval.

A healthy lifestyle with a good varied diet, regular exercise and plenty of fluids will give you the best possible protection against catching a cold. As long as you’re eating well, you should be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need from your diet. But if you’re not sure you’re getting what you need, ask your doctor.

Rest when you feel you need to, and try to keep stress levels to a minimum.

Try some gentle exercise on most days. It can improve your circulation and help you to fight infections.

If you smoke, give it up. It's harmful to your baby and also damages your immune system.

Herbal remedies, such as echinacea, are popular with many people who want to prevent colds and boost their immunity. But some of these can be unsafe for you or your baby. You can read more in our article about herbal remedies in pregnancy.

How can I treat a cold during pregnancy?

Antibiotics won’t help if you have a cold. Take it easy, rest when you feel tired, eat well and drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.

For a runny or blocked nose
A stuffy nose is a nuisance and you can try inhaling steam or using a salt water nasal spray. You could ask your doctor to recommend a vapour rub that’s safe in pregnancy. Taking paracetamol may also help to relieve a runny or blocked nose, but you should only take it as per the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

If you want to take any decongestant medicines (whether in tablet, syrup or nasal spray form) while you’re pregnant, always ask your doctor first. Often they’re not recommended for pregnancy. Decongestants work by causing the blood vessels to narrow, which helps to relieve a blocked or runny nose, but they could also narrow the blood vessels of your placenta. Certain decongestants have also been linked to heart, ear, or stomach defects in babies.

Many all-in-one cold remedies you buy over the counter contain a combination of ingredients, including a decongestant, so always ask for medical advice before taking them while you’re pregnant.

Although it’s unclear how effective cough medicines are, you could try a simple one that’s based on glycerine. If you want to use a cough syrup or lozenge, ask your doctor to recommend one that’s safe in pregnancy.

For fever or pain
You may want to take paracetamol as this is safe to take in pregnancy. Follow your doctor's prescription and dosage instructions, as with all medicines when you are pregnant. Take it for the shortest amount of time possible.

Although paracetamol is often recommended for relieving pain, this is not necessarily based on good evidence. When you have a cold, paracetamol is more likely to help relieve a blocked or runny nose than a headache.

If you do have a mild headache, drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest to help it pass. It's best not to take aspirin during pregnancy, unless your doctor advises you to.

If you are in the first trimester or second trimester, talk to your doctor before taking ibuprofen because it is not usually recommended. You shouldn’t take ibuprofen in the third trimester as it is known to be unsafe for your baby.

If you took any of these medicines before you knew you were pregnant, try not to worry. The risks are very small and it’s most unlikely your baby will be affected. Mention it to your doctor and she will be able to advise and reassure you.

Some women swear by homeopathic remedies. If you're keen to try homeopathic treatments, you should always consult a registered, qualified homeopath. Look for someone who has the experience of working with pregnant women and is aware of your medical history.

What home remedies can I try to relieve cold and cough symptoms

You could also try these remedies to ease your cold, depending on what symptoms you have:

• Stuffy nose. Add two or three drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water or a steamer. Lean over the bowl with a towel over your head and inhale the steam to help clear your congestion.
  
• Instant relief. At night, or when you're out and about, put a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil on a tissue, and sniff. You could also try menthol lozenges recommended by your doctor.
  
• Sore throat or cough. An infusion of honey (shahad), ginger (adrak) and lemon (nimbu) mixed in warm water. Some women find that Holy Basil (tulsi) or ginger (adrak) tea is helpful too. However, as with everything else in pregnancy drink these in moderation.
  
• Try a saline rinse. Use a salt-water nasal spray to rinse out your nostrils. This may help to unblock your nose. Jal neti, a yoga technique can provide relief from a stuffy nose. However, you should learn this from a qualified prenatal yoga instructor and always practise it under supervision.
  
• Raise your upper body. Try elevating your upper body with extra pillows when you lie down to rest or sleep. This can help your nasal passages drain. Some women choose to use a wedge pillow. If you don’t have one, layer cushions or pillows to form a triangular shape for the right support. Take care that your upper body is raised; if you prop up only your head, it can make it harder for you to breathe comfortably.

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