Cold and Cough During Pregnancy: Safe and Effective Remedies

During pregnancy, the problem of cold and cough usually starts only after a cough or sore throat. This problem can trouble women for two to three weeks. Often a cold and cough occurs after a sore throat. During this time, it is difficult to correctly identify the problem of flu or cold. Many types of symptoms are seen in the cold and cough occurring at this time. Below, know what symptoms are felt when cold and cough occurs during pregnancy.

• Sore throat. 
• Nose blockage. 
• Running nose. 
• Intermittent sneezing.
• Cough. 

Along with this, you may also have mild fever and headache. Whereas, flu causes high fever, headache, muscle cramps, sweating and fatigue. If you are having difficulty identifying both these conditions, then you should consult your doctor about this.

(Read more - Dry Cough)

About 200 types of viruses are responsible for colds and coughs during pregnancy. Its symptoms last for a maximum of three weeks in a pregnant woman. In this problem, you can take antibiotics. In many cases, throat infection, sinus, ear and chest infection can be the cause of your cold and cough. In case of such a problem, you should consult your doctor and take the right medicine.

(Read more - Home remedies for common cold)

When women have a cold and cough during pregnancy, this question arises in their minds whether it will have any harmful effect on their child's health. Experts say that the common cold does not have any harmful effect on the unborn baby. Cold and coughing during pregnancy is a common problem. Usually, women may have a cold and cough two to three times during pregnancy. If someone living around the pregnant woman has a cold and cough, then the chances of them getting cold and cough also increases.

(Read more -Chronic cough)

To treat cold and cough during pregnancy, you can try any of the medicines or home remedies. Although many types of medicines can be used to cure colds and coughs, you should ask your doctor about this before taking these medicines. The elements present in these medicines can also be harmful for the baby growing in the womb. Medicines that open the nose work to reduce the passage of veins. Which provides relief in blocked or runny noses. But the consumption of such medicines can also cause shrinkage in the veins of the umbilical cord.

Home Remedies For Cold And Cough During Pregnancy
You can get relief from cold and cough by consuming lemon water. While using it, you can also add a few drops of ginger juice to lemon and honey water. Actually, lemon contains vitamin C, which helps in reducing cold and cough, but you should also avoid consuming lemon in excess quantities.

• If a pregnant woman's nose gets blocked due to cold and cough and there is difficulty in breathing, then she should take hot water in a big vessel. After this, one should try to inhale the steam by covering the back of the head with a towel or a big cloth. Not only this, if you want quick relief, then you can also add some nose opener balm in hot water with medical advice. 
• When you have a cold and cough, one should consume juice, water and other liquids. This will prevent dehydration in the body during cold and cough. 
• In such a problem, consuming a balanced diet is considered very useful. Instead of eating a lot of food at one time, make it a habit to eat small amounts of food more than once. 
• Drinking tea also provides relief from cold and cough. In this problem, you can consume tea made of mint and basil leaves, but it is necessary to consult your doctor about the quantity of this tea to be consumed. 
• If you have a problem with a cold and cough during pregnancy, gargle by adding salt to lukewarm water. This will give relief to your throat.

(Read more - Home remedies for cough)

Due to the changes that occur during pregnancy, there is a high risk of getting a virus or bacterial infection. In such a situation, a pregnant woman needs to take some precautions. So that she can protect herself from any kind of infection and virus. The measures to prevent cold and cough during pregnancy are being given below.

• The problem of cold and cough spreads easily from one person to another. That is why if someone around you has a cold, then you should maintain a little distance from them. 
• Using things used by a person with a cold and cough also increases the chances of a pregnant woman getting a cold and cough.
• During pregnancy, you should avoid putting your hands on your nose repeatedly when going out of the house. This also puts you at risk of getting a cold.
• Hands should be cleaned thoroughly after coming from outside or after touching any kind of dust or soil.
• Nutritious food should be consumed in this problem. Nutritious food strengthens the immune system and you remain safe from external infections.
• If you feel tired during pregnancy, take rest and get enough sleep. At this time, the body can soon fall prey to infection due to fatigue. 
• You should exercise daily to avoid any kind of infection during pregnancy. 
• If you smoke during pregnancy, then it will be beneficial for you to quit it immediately, because smoking weakens the immune system. It also has a harmful effect on the child growing in the womb.

(Read more - Home remedies for dry cough)

It is common to have colds, coughs, and flu during pregnancy, as the woman's immune system becomes weak at this time. Some home and safe remedies can be adopted to deal with these problems. First of all, get adequate rest and stay hydrated. Gargling with lukewarm salt water can provide relief from sore throat.

Steam inhalation is also an effective way to open blocked nose and get relief from cold. Consuming honey and ginger provides relief from cough, while drinking decoction of basil leaves is beneficial. Apart from this, consuming vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, lemons, and amla strengthens the immune system. However, it is important to consult a doctor before consuming any medicine, to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. Using natural and home remedies, the symptoms of cold, cough, and flu can be reduced.