Treatment of cough during pregnancy occurs according to a scheme specially developed for each patient. All drugs and folk remedies are prescribed by a doctor, self-medication can be dangerous for both the woman and the fetus. It is necessary to eliminate bronchospasm as quickly as possible, because they can cause negative reactions and complicate the course of pregnancy. Before choosing a therapy, the doctor must make the correct diagnosis, this is the key to a successful outcome of the disease.
Why are bronchospasms dangerous during pregnancy
Treatment of cough in pregnant women should be carried out immediately, since bronchospasm can cause serious pathologies in the fetus and harm the woman. For the unborn child, such a violation is especially dangerous in the first trimester: severe bronchospasm causes an increase in the tone of the uterus, which can provoke a miscarriage.
It is necessary to quickly understand how to cure a cough during pregnancy, as it causes poor circulation. This slows down the transport of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, which can provoke deviations in its formation. It should also be borne in mind that bronchospasm is a consequence of a viral or infectious disease that can penetrate the placenta.
Coughing during pregnancy is dangerous for the expectant mother. If the placenta is low or present, bronchospasm, which causes the uterus to contract, can cause bleeding.
Also, there is a high likelihood of rupture of amniotic fluid at a later date and premature difficult labor. And this is fraught with serious health problems for women, including death.
Causes
A pregnant woman's cough can occur for a variety of reasons. Most often it is provoked by viral infections transmitted by airborne droplets. They are especially dangerous for the fetus and the expectant mother. Bacterial diseases can also affect the body, they can be infected in any public place.
If the disease affects the upper respiratory tract, a severe cough during pregnancy appears due to mucus flowing down the throat. The phlegm irritates the cough receptors, which causes bronchospasm. Most often, it disturbs patients at night: it is in the supine position that the liquid contained in the nose flows down the throat.
Lower respiratory tract infections can cause dry and then wet coughs. Sputum accumulates in the lungs and bronchi, for its secretion the body uses a protective reflex - spasm. Such ailments quickly become chronic, so you need to quickly decide how to get rid of them.
There are other causes of bronchospasm:
- allergic reactions;
- disruption of the digestive tract;
- increased acidity of gastric juice;
- nervous tension;
- improper work of the cardiovascular system;
- ascariasis (infection with ascaris).
Treatment features
When we treat a cough during pregnancy, the list of drugs used should be different in the early and late stages. In the first trimester, the fetus is especially sensitive, so the use of chemical medications is not recommended. Better to give preference to dietary supplements, homeopathic remedies and alternative methods.
In the second and third trimester, the threat of miscarriage decreases, almost all vital organs and systems of the unborn baby are formed. You can get rid of a cough at this time with the help of many drugs: the range of approved drugs is significantly expanding compared to the first 13 weeks of gestation.
However, it should be borne in mind that at a later date, such a phenomenon as premature aging of the placenta is possible. When the "protective" layer wears out, the fetus becomes defenseless against the negative effects of chemicals, viruses, bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms.
Medication treatment
Pregnant women can only use certain drugs that are prescribed by the attending physician. At different periods of gestation, the use of different drugs is allowed. Let's consider which of them will be beneficial for the health of the mother and will not harm the unborn child.
First trimester
It is necessary to fight dry cough with the help of mucolytics: they thin out phlegm, increase it in volume and promote excretion from the respiratory tract. Such remedies also relieve inflammation, soothe and heal mucous membranes.
The following drugs will help expectant mothers to cope with bronchospasm without secreting sputum:
- "Libeksin" (prescribed only in extreme cases, as it is a synthetic agent);
- "Mukaltin", syrup "Marshmallow Root", "Stodal", "Bronchogran", "Pulsatilla" (sold without a prescription, since they do not affect the development of the fetus, but can cause allergies in case of personal intolerance to the components);
- "Bronchikum", "Gedelix", "Doctor Mom" (herbal preparations that do not contain substances harmful to the woman's body and the fetus, but not enough information has been collected about their effect on the fetus).
How to treat a wet cough, you can find out at a consultation with a doctor. Expectant mothers will benefit from means that improve coughing, disinfecting and fighting pathogens.
During pregnancy, treatment is carried out using such means:
- "Doctor Theis", "Stodal", "Bronhogran", "Pulsatilla", "Bifidofolus Flora Force" (completely safe for the body of the mother and the unborn baby means, with the exception of personal intolerance);
- "Bronchipret", "Bronchicum" (herbal preparations can have a negative effect on the body due to their high biological activity).
Second and third trimester
During this period, the list of permitted funds is wider, the fetus is almost fully formed. The drugs are selected so as not to cause premature birth and bleeding in the expectant mother. The following items are added to the list of medicines for dry cough:
- "Akodin";
- Bromhexine;
"Stopussin".
"Stopussin".For a wet cough during pregnancy in the last stages, more funds are also shown than in the first trimester.
Their list is replenished with the following drugs:
- "Tussin";
- Ambroxol;
- "Fluifort";
- "Herbion".
Inhalation
It is possible to alleviate the condition of the expectant mother without harm to the fetus with the help of inhalation. They can be wet or dry. Wet help to transport drugs in high concentration into the respiratory tract. Together with the steam, patients inhale healing substances that disinfect mucous membranes, relieve swelling, improve coughing and reduce spasms. For the procedures, you can use the following devices:
- electric inhalers;
- nebulizers;
kettles with a paper funnel for inhalation or deep dishes with liquid.
kettles with a paper funnel for inhalation or deep dishes with liquid.If the patient has a fever, then steam inhalations are contraindicated for her: they accelerate blood flow and increase pressure, which is dangerous for the fetus. You can replace them with cold inhalation. To do this, 1-3 drops of essential oil of fir, pine, calendula or other medicines should be dripped onto a pillow, piece of paper or cloth, put next to you and slowly take deep breaths.
It will also be useful to use an aroma lamp, it can not only normalize breathing, but also disinfect the room.
Healthy drink
Drinking plenty of fluids can help with coughing during pregnancy. The liquid, warmed up to body temperature, is quickly absorbed in the body, accelerates blood circulation and stimulates the production of phlegm by the mucous membranes.
To alleviate the patient's condition, you can use ordinary teas, but it will be more effective to use medicinal drinks:
- Milk with honey and butter. In a glass of warm boiled milk, you need to add 20 g of high fat butter and a teaspoon of liquid honey, mix the drink well. You can drink the cocktail 3-4 times a day, the last intake is best done just before bedtime to prevent a nocturnal coughing fit.
Figs with milk. A decoction of figs perfectly softens mucous membranes, protects them from injury, relieves spasms and improves immunity. To prepare the drink, take 3 ripe figs and 3 glasses of milk. Mixes the ingredients, put them on the stove and cook over low heat until the liquid turns brownish. We use half a glass of cocktail 3 times a day.- Herbal infusions. Medicinal plants such as chamomile, thyme, marshmallow root and others will help relieve bronchospasm. Dried herbs in an amount of 10 g are poured with boiling water and insisted in a thermos for 20 minutes, they are consumed half a glass 3-6 times a day. Expectant mothers should not drink extracts of Eleutherococcus, coltsfoot, St. John's wort, ginseng and echinacea: they can increase the tone of the uterus and cause bleeding.
Figs with milk. A decoction of figs perfectly softens mucous membranes, protects them from injury, relieves spasms and improves immunity. To prepare the drink, take 3 ripe figs and 3 glasses of milk. Mixes the ingredients, put them on the stove and cook over low heat until the liquid turns brownish. We use half a glass of cocktail 3 times a day.Rinses
Gargling is useful for both prevention and elimination of cough. This method will be especially effective for sore throat. For rinsing, use a mixture of baking soda and water, a mixture of salt and water, infusions of linden or chamomile flowers, plantain herb. You need to carry out the procedure between meals or after a meal 3-4 times a day. It is better to refrain from straining the vocal cords after rinsing.
Precautionary measures
Any medications and traditional medicine can have a negative effect on the body of the expectant mother under certain circumstances. Before using any methods of eliminating cough, you need to make sure that they do not cause a negative reaction. For this, tests are made: medicines are taken in small quantities and wait several hours. If no changes in the state of health are found, therapy is continued.
You also need to make sure that the expectant mother does not have chronic diseases in which the use of some funds is completely contraindicated.
The therapy is especially carefully selected in the presence of fetal pathologies or complicated pregnancy. Self-treatment is strictly prohibited.
In conclusion
Pregnant women need to closely monitor their health and do everything possible so as not to get sick.
If you could not protect yourself from viral and bacterial infections that cause cough, you should immediately consult a doctor. A specialist will help you choose a safe and effective therapy, including medications and traditional medicine.
