Coughing during pregnancy is a particularly troublesome ailment. Until recently, you would have reached for one of the miracle cures "three in one". But not now that you are expecting a baby. So how can you successfully treat your cough in pregnancy?

Cough in pregnancyis a common ailment accompanying infections of the upper respiratory tract. Cough in pregnancy is difficult to treat, as many medications to alleviate this persistent ailment are inadvisable while waiting for a baby. So how do you treat a cough in pregnancy? Are there safe ways to cough up when pregnant?

Contents:

  1. Cough in pregnancy - causes
  2. Coughing in pregnancy is more common
  3. Can a cough during pregnancy harm my baby?
  4. Beware of over-the-counter cough medications
  5. Cough medications forbidden for pregnant women
  6. Cough medications allowed in pregnancy
  7. Treating coughs in pregnancy with home remedies
  8. When to see a doctor with a cough during pregnancy?

Cough in pregnancy - causes

There is no single miracle cure for pregnant cough. And maybe that's a good thing, because coughing is a necessary physiological reflex. It is the body's defense reflex, which cleans the respiratory tract of allergens or excessive mucus.

A cough is usually a symptom of an upper respiratory tract infection. Dry is characteristic of the initial stage of a cold (it irritates your throat), but then, as the secretions accumulate, it becomes wet (you cough up the so-called phlegm).

A wheezing cough, often in the form of several seconds long attacks, usually occurs during bronchitis. If your cough is dry and not accompanied by a fever or feeling unwell, it may be a symptom of an allergy.

Coughing in pregnancy is more common

Coughing in pregnancy is more common because pregnant women have a lower immunity. Their immune system starts working in a different mode in order not to reject the child, which is a foreign body to the body. That is why they catch infections more often, including those with a symptom of coughing.

In addition, while waiting for a baby, under the influence of a higher level of estrogens, the mucosa of the respiratory tract secretes more mucus, which increases the need for expectoration.

Can a cough in pregnancy harm my baby?

Even if you cough a lot, you won'tharm to your baby because the fetus is well protected by the uterus and the amniotic fluid.

When you cough your belly is moving up and down, which may be felt by your baby as a swaying. If you feel that your abdomen is tightening excessively and it causes pain or discomfort, press gently on the lower abdomen with your hand when coughing.

According to an expertPaweł Kubik, MD, PhD, obstetrician gynecologist

The cough cannot be taken lightly. Respiratory diseases are a common problem that complicates the course of pregnancy. They are usually minor infections of the upper respiratory tract, requiring only symptomatic treatment. Coughing may be one of the symptoms of such infections.

However, cough, which should be emphasized, is also one of the symptoms of serious diseases that may adversely affect pregnancy, such as: asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis. Therefore, if the symptoms of the infection do not improve after a few days, you should immediately contact your doctor.

Beware of over-the-counter cough medications

Although coughing is not a disease, but a symptom of it, she usually resorted to medication to get rid of it. You must not take any medications during pregnancy without medical consultation!

The first trimester of pregnancy, especially the period between the 4th and 9th week, is the so-called organogenesis - this is when all the organs and organs of the baby are formed. Therefore, during this time, you should especially not take cough medications, as they may interfere with the proper development of your child.

The experience of doctors and pharmaceutical companies has allowed to identify some cough medications that are absolutely forbidden for future mothers. However, there are many drugs whose side effects are not fully understood (drugs must not be tested in pregnant patients, so it is not possible to check how they affect the development of the fetus).

This is why many medications contain the information: "There is no evidence of harmful effects on the fetus, but use is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation." Among such non-recommended remedies are, unfortunately, popular over-the-counter medications that you have used to cough up until now.

Cough medications forbidden for pregnant women

  • Lozenges with thyme and coltsfoot - although it is a popular plant expectorant, it can be dangerous for the fetus; too high doses of thymol contained in it cause vomiting and severe poisoning.
  • Lozenges - some contain ibuprofen and other ingredients that are harmful to the fetus.

Cough medications allowed in pregnancy

  • Marshmallow syrup - is a natural medicine, safe for the unborn child and effective in the fight against cough. Marshmallow syrup can be used bothfor both dry and wet coughs.

Treating coughs in pregnancy with home remedies

In order to limit the amount of medications taken (even those not harmful to the child), it is worth helping yourself with home remedies.

  • Tea with raspberry juice for colds is the best solution. However, be careful with this drink in the last months of pregnancy, because it has a warming effect and can trigger a contracting action.
  • Honey and propolis preparations will be perfect for coughs (their essential oils have an expectorant effect, and antibacterial substances fight viruses and bacteria)
  • Onion, fennel or anise syrups - perfectly thins secretions and has an expectorant effect.
  • Since coughing often makes sleep difficult, it is worth sleeping high at night, i.e. on several pillows.
  • Make sure that the air in the room is properly moistened.

When to see a doctor with a cough during pregnancy?

If you feel unwell and the cough does not go away despite using home treatments, give up therapy on your own. First of all, consult a doctor - gynecologist or internist.

If the infection is harmless, he or she will probably recommend home treatments or prescribe symptomatic medications that are harmless to the fetus. In order to dilute the secretions in the bronchi and make it easier to get rid of, your doctor will probably offer you an expectorant syrup. He may also recommend herbal remedies or propolis tablets.

If it turns out that your cough is the result of something more serious, such as bronchitis, she will give you drugs that are allowed for pregnant women. They can even be antibiotics - some of them work locally, and others, although they reach the placenta, do not adversely affect the fetus.

What are the types of cough? See the video

It is very important for a doctor to know what type of cough is wrong. The treatment for the cough will be different depending on the type of cough.

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Category:

Pregnancy