The body of a woman during pregnancy undergoes many changes. Each trimester is characterized by its own problems and anxieties. But when the expectant mother gets sick, a real panic begins in both the woman and her relatives. Especially pregnant women are vulnerable during the first trimester, when hormonal changes, decreased immunity, and mood swings occur . Most often, the "current" nose gives trouble. Moreover, such an ailment can occur in any weather and season.
Why is pregnancy accompanied by a runny nose?
The most common reason is the common cold. If earlier frosts, winds and rains were tolerated firmly, now a pregnant woman can easily catch ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) due to weakened immunity. Which, by the way, is a natural mechanism for embryo acceptance by the body of the expectant mother. Otherwise, the fetus would be rejected.
There are other causes of the common cold in delicate women. This may be a situational reaction to various external factors, for example, cold air or a pungent odor. Sometimes the mucous membrane dries out, caused by dry air in the room where the woman is constantly.
Vasomotor rhinitis in pregnant women is associated with a hormonal surge due to the restructuring of the body. It usually goes away without treatment after giving birth. It is characterized by swelling of the nasal mucosa with abundant accumulations. Other chronic diseases, such as sinusitis, polyps, sinusitis, etc. can also cause a prolonged runny nose.
Well, everyone knows that a runny nose is also a manifestation of an allergy, chronic or seasonal. During pregnancy, it occurs as an individual reaction to the external environment due to the increased sensitivity of the body.
What to do with a runny nose in the early stages?
Obviously, first of all, you need to find out its cause. If this is not a common cold, then the doctor only builds the treatment regimen. In case of allergies, it is necessary to make complex tests in order to determine the substance that rejects the woman's body.
At the slightest sign of any ailment, the pregnant woman should immediately seek qualified help from a leading doctor. The difficulty is that they are not immediately registered with the antenatal clinic, but in the early stages there is a high risk of spontaneous abortion. Therefore, if a woman wants to bear a healthy child, at first she needs to take care of herself on her own. But first you need to know about some of the processes associated with the development of the embryo.
What happens inside the expectant mother in the first weeks?
So, there are no "trifling" reasons for a woman expecting a baby. This rule also applies when a runny nose occurs during pregnancy. 1 trimester is especially risky. At this time, the main organs of the future man are formed. Consider the importance of the ongoing processes weekly. Already in the third week the embryo takes shape, the nervous, muscle and skeletal systems begin to form in it.
From the 4th to the 7th week, a gill slit appears. From this moment, oxygenation of the placenta is extremely important. Also, the heart begins to beat in the embryo. This is a living creature with a head, arms, legs. In the seventh week, the "tadpole" has a sensory organ, the vestibular apparatus. Starting from the eighth week, the embryo becomes like a man. His face forms - a mouth, nose, ears appear. By the ninth week, a small lump, less than 1 cm long, moves, moves its arms and legs, on which tiny nails are visible. While others do not notice changes in the shape of the figure, complex processes of the birth of a new life proceed inside the woman.
Needless to say, the well-being of the future mother at this time is extremely important. You must be careful and try to play it safe so as not to become ill. Even if it is a simple runny nose during pregnancy. The 1st trimester is also characterized by the fact that the emerging baby already has tactile sensations. At the 11th week, he distinguishes tastes and, if mom ate something wrong, he will frown and try to swallow less. Obviously, not every medicine will appeal to him, not to mention the "benefits". Most drugs during pregnancy are contraindicated, as they enter the amniotic fluid and are completely absorbed by the embryo.
What threatens a runny nose during pregnancy? Danger to the fetus
While the little one is in the body of the pregnant woman, his lungs are filled with liquid and do not work. The placenta is the only source of oxygen that is enriched through the blood of a woman. Thus, the mother and the fetus are closely interconnected.
With difficulty breathing, a pregnant woman does not receive enough oxygen to the placenta. This causes fetal hypoxia. Thus, a common cold can be very dangerous if it is accompanied by inflammation in the nasal cavity and a runny nose during pregnancy. 1st trimester is the most important stage in the development of the embryo. Oxygen starvation causes deviations in its formation, including brain pathology.
What is the risk of a runny nose for a pregnant woman?
In addition to the risk to the child, diseases of the nasal cavity lead to a number of complications in the pregnant woman herself. A severe runny nose sometimes flows into tracheitis or bronchitis, as it contributes to inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes. After all, these diseases are provoked not only by viruses, but also by bacteria.
During pregnancy, even the common cold is insidious. The runny nose that accompanies her can be caused by a seized infection. This creates risk factors when bearing a child. For example, for the common cold you can take the flu, which is dangerous for its consequences.
Not allergic and allergy, which in some cases develops into bronchial asthma.
Therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to find out the causes of the common cold.
How can I help myself?
As already mentioned, it is better not to self-medicate. The main problem that a pregnant woman faces is that not all colds can be used in an interesting position.
In no case should vasoconstrictive drops be used. Firstly, they are addictive and after a while they stop helping. Secondly, they increase blood pressure.
Nasal drops can be replaced with folk remedies. For example, beet juice diluted with water. However, it is worth remembering that in large quantities it burns the mucous membrane. A similar situation with onion-based solution. In general, traditional medicine is not so simple. Sometimes it is stronger in effect than pharmaceuticals.
Today, homeopathic medicines for the common cold are a good alternative. They contain natural ingredients, but are carefully calibrated in dosage. Nevertheless, given the sensitivity during pregnancy and possible allergic reactions, they should not be used without consulting a doctor.
The safest way to help get rid of the common cold for adults and children is with saline solutions.
Rinsing
The use of salt-based solutions allows you to achieve several goals at once. Firstly, you can not use drugs for the common cold, that is, apply as an independent treatment. Or, on the contrary, combine with other drugs to improve their effect. Secondly, washing eliminates the cause of irritation and reduces the likelihood of allergic manifestations. Thirdly, the solution disinfects the nasal cavity. Fourth, irrigation of the mucosa improves the performance of capillaries, strengthening their walls and normalizing blood flow. Fifth, salt relieves swelling, allowing the pregnant woman to "breathe."
The solution can be prepared at home. The usual concentration is 1 teaspoon of sea salt per 1 cup of water. In addition, it is convenient to use ready-made sprays, such as Humer, Aqua Maris, etc. Initially, they were intended for children, but today there are their analogues from the common cold for adults.
You can wash your nose about 4 times a day. If a runny nose haunts a pregnant woman for a long time, then the procedures are carried out for 1-2 weeks. Then you can do preventive injections 2-3 times a week.
There are different washing methods. In the advanced stage, it is necessary to absorb the solution with one nostril and spit it out through the mouth. This achieves the complete release of the nasopharynx from mucous secretions. A more gentle option is to spray the nostrils or instill with a pipette.
Warming agents
Another gentle and effective means are inhalations with a cold. One of the easiest ways is to “breathe” over a pot of hot potatoes, covered with a towel, so as not to let in cold air. Thanks to this “treatment”, the mucous membrane is moistened, inflammatory processes are removed, and sputum is removed. Inhalation can be done with essential oils or brewing eucalyptus leaves. True, there is an opinion that this is not harmless, and sometimes couples contribute to a deeper penetration of the infection, causing bronchitis, pneumonia or pleurisy. Inhalation is good at the first sign of malaise.
Therefore, during the procedure, safety measures must be observed. Steam inhalation is recommended 1–1.5 hours after a meal. Their duration should not exceed 3 minutes. You need to add only proven drugs and essential oils, with no more than 3 drops at a time.
In pregnancy, steam inhalation is not worth it. They can be replaced by dry warming of the nasal septum with salt or special devices.
Useful Tips
In order to avoid burns, it is better to use inhalations with a cold with a nebulizer. Prescription formulations vary depending on the cause of the ailment. For example, with edema, you can not use essential oils that can aggravate it. For colds, anti-inflammatory drugs such as Rotokan or Sinupret are safe.
Mineral water is used to moisturize the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, starting from the nasopharynx. The most harmless are plant inhalations in case of a cold with a nebulizer. Their recipes are simple. Useful are the dried leaves of oak, birch, linden and chamomile flowers, mint, lavender. They have bactericidal properties and help to cope with infections.
Prevention of a runny nose during pregnancy
Than to be treated, it is better not to allow adversity! There are some easy ways.
- Wet the house every day. Get rid of dust in sofas, armchairs, carpets. Ventilate the room regularly and monitor air humidity.
- Irrigate the nasopharynx with saline 1-2 times a week. After visiting public places, this procedure also does not hurt.
- At home, you can hang a head of garlic around your neck, and also put a plate with chopped onions or garlic next to the bed before going to bed.
- A lot of walking, breathing fresh air.
- Maintain a good mood and good spirits. It is noticed that people with a positive attitude have fewer times less pessimists.
Remember, there is no harmless runny nose during pregnancy. 1st trimester - the most important period for shaping the health of the unborn child! Take care of yourself and the baby’s life. To do this, not so much is needed - find out the cause of the disease and choose a safe and effective treatment. And most importantly - to believe that everything will be fine.