There are few things quite as miserable when you're pregnant than getting sick. You're probably already suffering from morning sickness and constipation, and the flu or cold during pregnancy can make you just want to give up.
Ironically, your natural immunity decreases during pregnancy in order to prevent your body from rejecting your baby. So this makes you more likely to suffer from the flu or cold during pregnancy. Since it's better to take fewer medications as possible during pregnancy, you may be looking for natural home remedies to help ease your miserable symptoms of a cold or cough.
Baby
One of the best home remedies is to simply rest and drink plenty of fluids. On the positive side, the fact that you have a cold indicates your body is doing what it's supposed to be doing, and that is fighting off infection. There are some ways to help you reduce the severity of your illness and make you feel a bit more comfortable while your sickness follows its course.
Natural Home Remedies for Your Cold During Pregnancy
· Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe your sore throat. Simply add a pinch of salt to a small glass of warm water. You can also gargle with a mix of honey and lemon juice in hot water. Mix lemon juice with a small glass of hot water and add a tablespoon of honey before gargling. Gargle every three to four hours.
· Inhaling steam can do wonders in relieving congestion and a bad cough. Essential oils, including peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree oil, can help enhance the benefits of steam inhalation. Even taking a hot shower can help reduce your coughing.
· Some herbs can be beneficial as home remedies to fight off illness, and depending on the herb, are safe to use when you have a cold during pregnancy. Echinacea is most effective in boosting your immunity.
· A spoonful of honey can be taken to soothe and coat your throat.
· Drinking water or other liquids can help prevent you from being dehydrated and can help ease chest congestion, but hot drinks, such as tea or chicken noodle soup, are better at relieving cold or flu symptoms. Herbal teas, such as peppermint and ginger, can help soothe your sore throat. Try to avoid soda and other sugary beverages, since they can reduce your body's ability to fight off infection.
If your illness doesn't seem to be subsiding after a week, or other symptoms begin to develop, contact your doctor. This could mean you are suffering from a secondary infection.
Avoid Catching a Cold Naturally
The best way to avoid getting sick is by taking care of yourself. Eat a balanced, healthy diet and get regular exercise, which helps boost your immunity.
Washing your hands regularly is an easy and effective way to prevent getting sick.
If you're not already taking a prenatal vitamin, it's time to start. Prenatal vitamins can help improve your health and boost your immunity, making it easier for your body to fight off infection if you do get sick.
Check with your midwife or doctor if you have any doubts on the safety of the medications or natural alternative medications you would like to take to make sure they are safe during pregnancy.
Home remedies, including your grandma's chicken noodle soup, can be safe, natural and effective ways to fight off illness. And you'll feel better knowing that they are safe for your baby, too.
Pregnant With a Cold: Natural Remedies To Help You Heal
You and your baby's safety and health come first. For your free "Healthy Birth Booklet-6 Steps to a Safer Birth" filled with six simple steps that support and guide your decisions before and during labor to have a safer and healthier birth, visit the link below.
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader should contact a licensed medical professional regarding their own condition.