Colds in early pregnancy

A cold in early pregnancy is an insidious disease that can undermine the health of the expectant mother, and therefore the baby. Let's look at how to fight a cold in early pregnancy and how to prevent this disease.

A cold in the first months of pregnancy is a dangerous disease, since it is not so easy to treat. And all because during pregnancy you cannot take medications, since they can harm the future baby. You have to be sophisticated in your methods of treating a cold and protect yourself from drafts, hypothermia and seasonal ailments.

But what to do if you do catch a cold and the disease begins to progress? You need to get treatment immediately! The first thing you need to do is seek help at the hospital. Because the attending physician will be able to prescribe a safe method of treating a cold that will quickly relieve you of the disease and will not harm the future baby.

Many health workers who encounter women with colds in the early stages of pregnancy claim that a cold does not pose serious complications for the baby. But this does not mean that it does not need to be treated. Do not forget that an advanced disease is much more difficult to treat, especially when it comes to pregnancy.

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Causes of Colds in Early Pregnancy

The causes of a cold in early pregnancy are varied; you can catch a virus anywhere, even while sitting at home. Moreover, a cold can appear quite unexpectedly, even in the middle of the summer season.

Doctors say that the most common cause of a cold in early pregnancy is a weakened immune system, by the way, it is precisely because of a weakened immune system that pregnancy is complicated. The immune system is responsible for our health, and it is the one that decides who will get sick and who will not be bothered by a cold even in the bitter cold. It is necessary to strengthen the immune system so that it is at its best, then no cold will bother you during pregnancy.

In addition to weakened immunity, there are several other causes of colds during pregnancy; let's take a closer look at each of them.

• Chronic diseases and their exacerbation. We are talking about seasonal allergies, cardiovascular insufficiency, peptic ulcers and other diseases that significantly reduce the body's protective functions. It is difficult for the immune system to maintain the health of an expectant mother at the proper level if her allergies have worsened, so sometimes chronic ailments flow into a cold. So during early pregnancy, you should pay more attention to your health.
• Stressful situations. Yes, it is stress at the beginning of pregnancy that can cause a cold. Nervous exhaustion, stress and constant worries gradually wear out the immune system and as a result a cold. Try to make the period of waiting for the baby the calmest in your life, so as not to expose your health and the health of the child to potential dangers.
• Hypothermia. Sometimes it is enough to get your feet wet, and a cold will immediately make itself known. Take care of yourself, dress for the weather, remember that during pregnancy, first of all, you need to think about your health, not about beauty. Hypothermia can overtake not only in autumn or winter, but also in summer. To do this, it is enough to enjoy cold ice cream or stand under the air conditioner or fan and the cold will not wait long.
• Problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Proper nutrition can take care not only of a beautiful figure and health of the body, but also prevent colds. Many experts claim that most immune cells are located in the intestines. And overeating, eating spicy, salty food or gastritis can undermine the immune system. And "special" culinary preferences in pregnant women can cause a cold in the early stages of pregnancy.

There are many reasons for a cold during pregnancy, all of them depend on the immune system and lifestyle. Therefore, in order not to get a cold in the first months of pregnancy, try not to be nervous, not to overeat and support your immunity with healthy vitamins as much as possible.

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Cold Symptoms in Early Pregnancy

Cold symptoms in early pregnancy can easily be confused with symptoms of other diseases. Let's look at how a cold manifests itself during pregnancy and how to recognize it.

The first sign of a cold is a slight malaise, headache and fatigue. After a couple of days, the patient's condition worsens. In addition to malaise and headache, there is loss of appetite, cough, sore throat and runny nose. Unlike the flu, the symptoms of a cold depend on less severe viral infections. As a rule, the cough is dry and moderate. The temperature does not rise above 38 degrees or is within normal limits. Please note that the first three days of the onset of a cold are the active period. If you do not pay attention to the symptoms and do not start treatment in time, the disease will progress.

During pregnancy, especially in the early stages, if you suspect a cold, it is necessary to consult an ENT specialist and a general practitioner. Proper treatment will protect the health of the mother and the future baby and prevent complications and viral infections.

A cold in early pregnancy is dangerous not only for the baby, but also for the mother. The consequences of a cold can be disastrous, the most dangerous are miscarriage and polyhydramnios. But do not immediately get upset if you have a fever and feel slightly unwell. The female body is able to cope with the most serious diseases even during pregnancy. Therefore, sometimes even an advanced cold may not affect the health of the future baby and the course of pregnancy. Please note that if during pregnancy, a cold manifests itself as herpes on the lips, then this is a good sign. Since this guarantees immunity from colds for your baby. Through the placenta, a small amount of viral antibodies gradually appear in the baby's blood, and force the growing body to develop immunity from colds.

Diagnosis of colds in early pregnancy

Diagnosis of a cold in early pregnancy is carried out by the attending physician. The diagnosis of ARI is made only after a full examination of the pregnant woman and taking into account health complaints. During the examination, special attention is paid to the tonsils in the throat and plaque, as well as mucus discharge from the nose, that is, a runny nose.

Among the side effects of a cold in early pregnancy, the most common are:

• Lack of oxygen for the child and pathologies.
• Inflammation of the internal genital organs.
• Bleeding.
• Difficult birth.
• Early rupture of amniotic fluid.
• Fetal growth retardation syndrome.

A cold in early pregnancy, that is, in the first trimester, can cause damage to the baby's central nervous system. That is why it is very important to be monitored by a doctor during pregnancy. If, after a cold, the pregnancy proceeds without complications, then the danger to the baby has passed. But be sure to take the necessary tests to confirm the health and proper development of the child.

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Treating Colds in Early Pregnancy

Cold treatment in early pregnancy should only be done under the supervision of a doctor, as there are many dangers and threats to the baby that a cold can cause. Let's look at the most common cold treatments in early pregnancy.

• Gargling is the simplest and most effective way to fight a cold. Gargling effectively fights colds and prevents complications such as sore throat, rheumatism or inflammatory processes in the kidneys. Pregnant women are contraindicated in taking medications based on chemical components, so it is recommended to gargle with sage infusion, chamomile, sea salt, calendula, salt with iodine.
• Aromatherapy and inhalations - copes well with colds in the absence of fever. Inhalations can be done with eucalyptus oil, rosehip oil, chamomile or hyssop. To perform inhalation, heat a kettle of water, add a few drops of aromatic essential oil to the water. Sit over a basin of water and cover yourself with a towel and breathe in the healing aromas. Please note that during pregnancy, allergic reactions to various drugs, including aromatic oils, may occur, so carefully monitor your feelings during the procedure.
• Nasal drops - despite the fact that many drugs are prohibited during pregnancy and treatment of colds, nasal drops are allowed to be used only after the doctor's approval. If you have been prescribed vasoconstrictor drops, then they should be used for no more than three days. Since with prolonged use of nasal drops, the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx is depleted, and this can cause atrophy of the olfactory nerve endings.

Homeopathic medicines are effective in fighting colds. They will be especially effective if the treatment is carried out under the supervision of a homeopathic doctor. The doctor must select a special treatment that is absolutely safe during pregnancy, especially in the early stages.

Don't forget about vitamins. So, vitamin C can cure a cold. But if you have an allergy to vitamin C, then experimenting with detailed treatment during pregnancy is not recommended. In addition to vitamin C, it is recommended to drink rosehip, raspberry and currant teas.

During pregnancy, physiotherapy procedures and ultra-high-frequency therapy are contraindicated. This also applies to immunostimulating drugs. Any type of treatment for a cold in early pregnancy should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Treatment of colds in early pregnancy with folk remedies

Treating a cold in early pregnancy with folk remedies is the safest and most effective way to get rid of the disease without harming the baby. Let's look at treatment recipes that will allow you to safely get rid of a cold.

The first thing that traditional medicine recommends for the treatment and prevention of colds is to limit or completely refuse smoked, spicy, salty and very sweet foods. Reduce the amount of food in your diet, refuse heavy food, give preference to plant and dairy foods. Pregnant women are recommended to eat light food that is not capable of causing problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Eat more vegetables and fruits. So, for a sore throat, it is recommended to eat homogeneous food, chicken broth soup, mashed potatoes, light fine-grained porridge.

Also, folk methods of treating colds in early pregnancy recommend drinking plenty of fluids. If you are not allergic to lemon, honey or raspberries, you can drink teas with these products. But at night, to treat colds, it is recommended to drink apple broth with honey. At high temperatures - lingonberry and cranberry juice. An infusion of rose hips, sage, viburnum and lemon balm with sea buckthorn oil will also be useful. It is also recommended to eat a spoonful of honey during a cold during pregnancy, preferably dissolving it under the tongue.

If you suffer from a runny nose, make a decoction of raspberry and strawberry leaves. Drink the decoction three to four times a day, half a glass at a time. And taking the tincture before bedtime guarantees calm breathing. It is very good to combine this treatment of a runny nose with inhalation procedures.

If you have a wet cough, then fried onions in butter and mixed with honey will help cope with this problem. You need to take this medicine one tablespoon six times a day.

Prevention of colds in early pregnancy

Prevention of colds in early pregnancy is very important, as it is prevention that can prevent the disease from occurring. As a preventive measure against colds during pregnancy, it is recommended to go out into the fresh air more often, avoid hypothermia and stay away from drafts. In addition, it is important to keep the house clean, regularly carry out wet cleaning and ventilate the premises.

Don't forget about vitamins, as this is a great way to prevent colds in early pregnancy. Strengthen your body with vitamin complexes for pregnant women and natural vitamins, that is, fresh vegetables, fruits, natural juices and walks in the fresh air.

• Excellent antibacterial and antiviral drugs are garlic and onions. Use these products in salads and eat them fresh. In addition, you can place small plates with chopped garlic around the apartment, this will prevent the virus from settling in your home.
• Reduce your visits to public places, use public transport as little as possible, especially during the height of the cold epidemic.
• Limit physical activity, practice personal hygiene (wash your hands regularly) and keep your home clean (wet cleaning, ventilation).
• But taking hot baths and steaming your feet in the early stages of pregnancy is contraindicated. As this can cause a miscarriage. This is especially true for women with varicose veins and high blood pressure.

A cold in early pregnancy is always treatable, the main thing is not to neglect this disease and use our advice on the treatment and prevention of colds during pregnancy.