Colds during pregnancy, 2 trimester: symptoms, treatment and prevention

During pregnancy, women often suffer from colds. The question immediately arises of how and how to be treated so as not to harm the baby. Naturally, I do not want to resort to medications at all. Then how to treat pregnant women with a cold? After all, a cold when carrying a baby (and, by the way, not only during this period, but in general) is terrible not just by itself, but by those rather unpleasant complications that can follow after it. How to avoid them? What preventive measures will help protect against viruses and pathogenic microorganisms that attack the body of a woman carrying a baby for 270 days? What can pregnant women with a cold? There are many questions - let's understand.

Varieties of colds

First of all, it is the flu, which is an acute disease of a viral nature. It is characterized by pronounced intoxication and damage to the respiratory tract. Another variety is acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), which have a similar clinical picture to influenza. Both diseases are quite dangerous for women in an “interesting position”.

On a note! If you do not treat the flu (which, as a rule, proceeds in a more severe form), then these reckless actions can lead to very serious and extremely undesirable consequences.

Why is a cold so dangerous for a pregnant woman

Colds are dangerous not only for the future mother, but also for her baby. Complications that can occur after diseases such as flu or SARS during pregnancy (especially in the first three months):

• the formation of malformations of the child;
• fetal infection;
• hypoxia of the baby;
• placental insufficiency;
• miscarriage;
• loss of blood in large volumes during childbirth;
• premature exit of amniotic fluid;
• inflammatory processes of the female reproductive system;
• significant complications after childbirth;
• chronic infections.

How can I get infected

You can get the flu or SARS:

• By airborne droplets. That is, drops of mucus or saliva that are released when talking, sneezing or coughing.
• Through foods that are consumed without first washing your hands.

Moreover, during pregnancy, women are very susceptible to viruses and bacteria that are the causative agents of colds. The fact is that at this moment the immunity of a pregnant woman is weakened and cannot provide a worthy response to infection.

Colds at different stages of pregnancy

At each period of bearing a baby, colds are manifested in different ways:

• Pregnancy for up to 12 weeks, that is, during the first trimester, - the vital internal organs of the child and the neural tube are laid and formed. During this period, the baby’s placenta has not yet been formed, and any penetration of the infection into the mother’s body leads to a serious pathology of the fetus.

• The second trimester, that is, the period from 12 to 24 weeks. Any cold can threaten a violation of placental circulation (for more details about this period, read below).
• The last three months of bearing a child. The infection caught during this period is fraught with infection of the baby with the virus and childbirth ahead of time.

The danger of colds in the second trimester of pregnancy

In the second trimester, it would seem, you can already “breathe easier”, as the formation of the fetus has already occurred (the baby weighs almost 1 kg; his height is about 32-35 cm; he has hair and cilia; he can already open his eyes). Therefore, exposure to any viruses does not lead to the appearance of certain malformations in the child. And the level of defenses of the pregnant woman herself rises significantly, which means that a cold during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester is not so terrible. But during this period, the placenta of the fetus begins to form. So she is attacked by viruses and bacteria. What is the danger of a cold during pregnancy (2 trimester):

• The placental circulation is difficult. That is, the full exchange between the body of the mother and the baby is disrupted.
• The child lacks oxygen and nutrients. This may cause a delay in fetal development.
• Certain disorders in the development of the endocrine system occur.
• A cold can adversely affect the development of the central nervous system of the baby, which is actively formed at this stage, as well as the development of the baby as a whole.
• At a period of 16-17 weeks, any catarrhal disease may not affect the formation of fetal bone tissue in the best way.

What a cold during pregnancy (2 trimester) can result in:

• The discharge of amniotic fluid.
• Intrauterine infection of the child.
• Termination of pregnancy.

Based on the foregoing, it becomes clear how the common cold affects pregnancy (2 trimester). Therefore, you should not relax. You have to be on the lookout all the time, because the consequences of a cold during pregnancy (2nd trimester) are not much different in severity from what happens during the first trimester or third.

Methods of treatment in the second trimester of pregnancy

All recommendations for the treatment of colds during pregnancy (2nd trimester) can be obtained exclusively from specialists, namely a general practitioner and obstetrician-gynecologist. They will help to find the necessary funds to combat the disease. A distinctive feature of this period is that the choice of medications that can be used without much harm to mom and baby is much wider.

So, how to treat a cold during pregnancy (2 trimester):

• We lower the temperature with folk remedies or paracetamol, which is allowed for use at this stage of pregnancy.

Important! No antibiotics to harm the baby

• We fight with cough in gentle ways (preferably with traditional medicine). According to the doctor’s prescription, you can also use such medicines for colds during pregnancy (2nd trimester), such as Mukaltin (to combat wet cough) and Stoptussin (to relieve dry cough). The first drug is recommended to be dissolved in a tablespoon of milk or mineral water (for example, Borjomi). Also, in agreement with the doctor, you can take ACC ("Fluimucil") and "Mucosolvan" (form: syrup, solution or tablets). Moreover, when using them, it is recommended to drink a lot of water.

Important! All codeine-based products are prohibited.

• During pregnancy (2 trimester) - how to treat a cold, namely a runny nose? In the treatment of this disease, it is necessary to monitor the color of the mucus. As soon as it changes from transparent (or whitish) to green (or yellowish), this is a signal that the runny nose has moved to another stage, namely, sinusitis. It can be sinusitis or frontal sinusitis. At the stage of transparent mucus, you can do sea salt washings, instill Nazivin (no more than 3 days), as well as Aquamaris and Pinosol, which have moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. At the stage of green mucus (pus), you must urgently contact a medical institution.

Important! Do not use alcohol-based solutions and sprays.

• With sore throat, Laripront and Lizobakt tablets will help; as a rinse - "Miramistin" or soda solution. Also, drink milk with honey in small portions 2-3 times a day. All as agreed with the doctor.

Important! A cold during pregnancy (2 trimester) is another test not only for a future mother, but also for her baby. Do not try to cope with ailments yourself. You can always turn to specialists, and they will certainly help you.

"Viferon" for colds during pregnancy (2 trimester)

During pregnancy, the mother’s immune system is weakened. To restore her full work, you can take Viferon, which is completely safe for both a growing baby and his mother. With the help of this antiviral drug, you can not only strengthen the immune system, but also destroy existing infections. Forms of production of Viferon are candles (interferon, vitamin C, tocopherol acetate and cocoa butter are included) and ointment (its components: interferon, tocopherol acetate, lanolin and petrolatum).

Common cold treatment recommendations

Useful information to avoid many mistakes:

• Very often, treatment methods that are quite effective for ordinary people can be dangerous for the expectant mother and her baby.
• At the first manifestations of influenza and SARS, treatment should be started immediately.
• It is not superfluous to recall that many medications are categorically not approved for use during pregnancy because they can harm the baby.
• In the case of a cold, self-medication is not worth it. You must immediately seek the advice of a general practitioner, who, having all the tests on hand, will be able to assess the severity of the woman’s condition and prescribe a suitable cold medicine for the pregnant woman.
• At first, alternative methods are used to treat colds, and only with their complete inefficiency can we proceed to the use of medications (only by agreement with a doctor).
• Starting taking medications, you need to be guided by a very good principle: less is more, more is better. This applies even to drugs that are indicated for use by a woman in an “interesting position”.
• You need to be aware of what pregnant women can have with a cold (in terms of medications).
• Immediately after the onset of the disease (in the presence of temperature), it is necessary to constantly and portionwise replenish the body's water balance, since loss of fluid at high temperature is inevitable.

Important! If the temperature is about 37.5 degrees and there is no deterioration in the general condition, then there is no point in knocking it down.

• Do not forget about ventilation and wet cleaning.
• Bed rest during illness is required.
• If you have a severe headache, you can use a cloth moistened with cool water, which must be put on the forehead.
• In order not to harm the child and yourself, you must always consult with your doctor; carefully study the instructions for all medications taken; Do not listen or follow the advice of friends, acquaintances, or relatives.

Remember! Only a specialist can fully control the process of the disease. Even traditional methods of treatment must be approved by a doctor. Otherwise, complications are possible not only for the expectant mother, but also for the child.

Folk remedies for the treatment of colds

Before you start using medications, you need to use all possible alternative medicines for colds for pregnant women. Of course, at the first signs of acute respiratory viral infections, everyone immediately begins to drink herbal decoctions: teas with mint and lemon balm, a warm drink with honey, milk with butter, cranberry and lingonberry fruit drinks, mineral water (still) and much more. But do not forget about some restrictions:

• You must abandon those herbs that cause you to have an allergic reaction.
• You can not completely uncontrolled use fluid in large volumes. Do not forget that excess water is the cause of edema.
• Of course, honey with a cold is a good thing, but if you are allergic to this product, then you need to forget about it.
• No hot procedures during pregnancy. Only as a last resort can you add mustard plasters (only dry ones) to your feet and put on woolen socks on top. It is very dangerous to make hot foot baths. True, dipping your hands in a container of hot water is allowed: this can soften the cough.
• Tea with a cold during pregnancy with mint or lemon balm will also have to be abandoned, since these herbs help reduce blood viscosity.
• Do not overdo it with vitamin C: in large quantities, it can be harmful.

We treat a runny nose

The methods for treating this ailment are as follows:

• Flushing the nose. This procedure makes sense, since the main location of the virus is the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. A salt solution is perfect for these manipulations (a small pinch of salt is enough for one glass of warm boiled water); finished preparations "Aquamaris" and "Salin"; freshly prepared infusion of chamomile or saline. The procedure is carried out as follows: with an ordinary syringe (naturally, without a needle), it is necessary to collect liquid for washing. Then deflect the head to the left and pour the solution into the right nostril, then perform similar actions on the opposite side. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
• With a runny nose at an early stage of bearing a baby, it is quite effective to lay a bag with warmed buckwheat or sand on the bridge of the nose.
• Chamomile-based inhalations. The duration of the procedure is 8-12 minutes (2-4 times a day).
• Instillation of homemade drops. For this, fresh juice squeezed from beets or carrots, as well as an infusion of chamomile or linden, is suitable.
• Massage of the wings of the nose (at the base on both sides). The procedure relieves nasal congestion.
• The Zvezdochka balm proved to be quite good. It must be applied to the nose and whiskey (several times a day).

Knock down the temperature

The main task in the fight against influenza and SARS is to reduce the elevated temperature, which can negatively affect the development and growth of the child. How to deal with hyperthermia? We do the following:

• We use a lot of warm liquid (fruit juice from cranberries or lingonberries; green tea with lemon; milk with honey; decoction of raspberries, linden or chamomile). Drinking should not be hot.
• Apply cool compresses to the forehead.
• Wipe the wrists, elbow bends, and also the hollows under the armpits and knees with a towel dipped in cool water.
• Rub the body with a solution of vinegar (one part vinegar and three parts water). After wiping, do not immediately dress and wrap yourself in a blanket: let the liquid evaporate from the skin.
• If the temperature “rolls over” and chills appear, then we drink a lot of sweatshops tea; warmly take cover and apply heating pads to the feet. These manipulations contribute to the outflow of blood down. After the disappearance of chills, we proceed to rubbing with vodka or vinegar.
• If folk remedies do not help, then you can take paracetamol (2 times a day for half a tablet).
• If the temperature is kept at 38.5 degrees and does not drop, then you need to call an ambulance, since prolonged high temperature is a big danger for mom and baby (especially in the early stages of gestation).

Treat sore throat

The sore throat and pain are the “faithful companions” of colds. Procedures that will help to cope with this ailment:

• Frequent warm drink (for example, just plain water).

Important! Hot liquid is contraindicated. Otherwise, the pain will intensify and the swelling will increase.

• Rinse with a solution of soda (in a glass of warm water one teaspoon of soda) or a decoction of chamomile, calendula, eucalyptus or mint. Every two hours during the day.
• If there is no allergy to honey or lactose intolerance, then use warmed milk (one glass) with butter (one tablespoon) and honey (one teaspoon). It is recommended to drink in small sips, and repeat the procedure 4-5 times a day.

Important! You will have to refuse any lollipops that facilitate the inflammatory processes in the throat during pregnancy.

• As long as throat problems exist, you should not talk much - it is better to remain silent for a while. Especially with laryngitis, to preserve the vocal cords.

Important! All procedures can be done only after consulting a doctor. In order not to miss the onset of tonsillitis, it is necessary to undergo an examination with a specialist who, if necessary, will prescribe a more serious therapy.

Fighting cough

Such a malaise not only brings a certain discomfort to the expectant mother, but also poses a danger to the normal course of pregnancy: during coughing, the ligaments and abdominal muscles tighten and contract, which can be the cause of childbirth ahead of time or bleeding. How to prevent this and cure cough? You can try the following:

• Drink warmed (but not hot) milk with added butter and soda (at the tip of a knife). A very good way to cough.
• Prepare decoctions of chamomile flowers, marshmallow root, garden raspberry leaves, pine buds, and coltsfoot grass. The recipe is quite simple: pour 1-2 tablespoons of any plant component with one glass of boiling water. Boil another 10 minutes. Then we insist for 15 minutes (always under the lid), filter and drink throughout the day in small portions (1/4 cup each).
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• Do inhalation. For the procedure, you can use a pair of decoctions of herbs (for example, St. John's wort or chamomile), boiled potatoes, an aqueous solution of baking soda, as well as raw onions or garlic (10 minutes, twice a day). You can use either a special device - an inhaler, or a suitable container. Grass can be purchased at the pharmacy and brew according to the attached instructions.
• Ventilate and humidify the air on a regular basis. If there is no humidifier available, you can place water containers in several places in the room.

If the cough for seven days does not get weaker, then it is imperative to seek help at a medical institution so as not to miss pneumonia. If nothing helps, the fever persists and the condition worsens, then immediately call an ambulance, because any delay can lead to serious complications, both for the future mother and the baby. Remember: it is impossible to engage in self-treatment of influenza.

Cold fever

Yes, sometimes this happens. If a cold occurs without a fever during pregnancy, then this indicates that the production of such an important substance as interferon does not occur in a woman's body. That is, there is no full-fledged fight against foreign bacteria and viruses. Be sure to consult a doctor.

Cold Prevention

Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat it long and hard. Therefore, the prevention of colds during pregnancy (2 trimesters, 1 and 3) is very important. And if you strictly follow the recommendations, then perhaps you have a chance to avoid diseases such as flu or SARS. And, you need to do this:

• It is necessary to reduce to zero contacts with people who are already sick.
• Do not visit crowded places.
• Carry out outdoor walks as often as possible.
• Before each exit to the street (especially during epidemics), lubricate the nasal mucosa with oxolinic ointment. True, opinions on this issue were divided, as some experts believe that the ointment is ineffective, and sometimes harmful.
• Avoid hypothermia or overheating of the body.
• In rainy weather, it is better to stay at home so as not to get wet or wet your feet.
• Conduct regular airing of housing.
• As often as possible to carry out wet cleaning.
• In the absence of allergies, use aromatic oils from herbs such as mint, rosemary and lavender.
• It is advisable to include fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet, as well as onions and garlic, which are endowed with natural phytoncides (that is, biologically active substances that inhibit the development and growth of bacteria).
• Herbal infusions rich in vitamin C (for example, cranberry juice or wild rose broth) will also help.

Important! Remember: vitamin deficiency is just as dangerous as hypervitaminosis. Therefore, do not be too zealous in this regard.

Finally

Now you know how and how to treat pregnant women with a cold. If anything, do not panic. Act quickly and prudently. The main thing is not to miss the first signs of a cold during pregnancy and immediately begin to fight the disease so as not to bring everything to complications.

Important! If, nevertheless, you had to be ill with a cold, you must pass the urine and blood tests to keep your health under control. You should not be lazy in this matter, and everything will be fine with you.