Treating the common cold during pregnancy - During pregnancy a woman becomes sensitive to even the common cold, having a direct impact on the health of the fetus. A pregnant mother should never take any medicine without a doctor’s consultation as it can have a toxic effect on the baby. However, Treating the common cold during pregnancy is not as complicated as it might sound. This blog by Moruf Lifesciences clearly describes the effects of common colds and safe medications that are commonly prescribed during pregnancy.

In the usual days, a woman can take over-the-counter (OTC) medications. But during pregnancy, you should never rely on OTC medicines for relief from the common cold and other medicines. The medicines recommended in this blog are also suggested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These are very common medicines for Treating the common cold during pregnancy. Read the blog to increase your awareness and stay extra safe during your special days.

Symptoms and Causes of Common Cold During Pregnancy

A common cold usually begins with an itchy throat that further causes various symptoms. Colds are most commonly caused by a type of virus known as a rhinovirus, which is easily passed from person to person. There are around 200 species of viruses, making common colds a usual occurrence. Some of the common symptoms of the common cold during pregnancy are the following:

Sore or scratchy throat
Sneezing
Mild to moderate fatigue
Low-grade fever (ranging between 99 - 100 Fahrenheit)

In pregnancy the symptoms of the common cold last for 10 to 14 days. Therefore, as soon as you start noticing the symptoms, reach out to your healthcare professional and seek medical advice.

Best Medications for Treating the common cold during pregnancy

As per most of the OB-GYNs, a pregnant should avoid all types of prescription medication during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, there are several medication that are considered safe during pregnancy. However, you should always consult your doctor before taking any prescription medicine, OTC, or supplements. The list of medicines that are considered safe for Treating the common cold during pregnancy is mentioned below:

Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)

Safe during pregnancy
Not safe to consume during breastfeeding

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Take as per the prescribed dosage
Do not indulge in overdosage
Safe during the entire pregnancy
Do not use if you have any liver disorder or problems

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Safe during the entire pregnancy
Provide relief from cough

Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)

Safe in the second and third trimester
Not safe in the first trimester due to a small risk of abdominal wall birth defects
Do not consume if you have high blood pressure (hypertension) or a history of heart disease

Tips to Prevent Common Cold and Flu During Pregnancy

Prevention is always better than cure. Instead of juggling to find a safe alternative, you should try to prevent the common cold as much as possible. There are a variety of natural remedies and tips highly effective in preventing the common cold and flu during pregnancy. Pregnant women are more vulnerable than non-pregnant people to getting infected from pneumonia, bronchitis, or sinus infections. Follow the given tips to prevent the common cold during pregnancy.

Focus on Hygiene and wash your hands as much as possible.

Avoid coming in contact with the infected individuals and maintain distance.

Consume a healthy diet to keep your immune system healthy and strong.

Regularly get enough sleep to help your body repair and recover.

Gargle warm salt water to keep your throat disinfected.

Medications You Shall Avoid during Your Pregnancy

Besides, knowing about which medicine you should take in treating the common cold during pregnancy, you should also know about which medicines to avoid. Do not take all-in-one medications that combine ingredients to address many symptoms. Avoid taking the following mentioned prescription medicines:

ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
codeine
aspirin (Bayer)
Bactrim, an antibiotic

Final Takeaway

Pregnancy is an important part in any woman’s life. You should try to avoid getting sick as much as possible. However, in case you catch a common cold or flu, take the above-mentioned medications in treating the common cold during pregnancy or immediately consult your doctor to know about the best alternatives available.