If a cough occurs during pregnancy, it immediately causes increased anxiety in expectant mothers. This is correct, as a strong cough can indeed be dangerous for a developing fetus. Therefore, you need to get rid of it as quickly as possible. And natural pregnancy cough syrup can be a real lifesaver.
Why is coughing dangerous?
A slight and infrequent coughing is a completely natural process, which should not be feared. Thus, the body reflexively cleans the nose and bronchi from the accumulating mucus and dust particles that settle on the villi lining their mucous membranes. Therefore, if a woman coughs up to 15-20 times a day, the cough is not deep and does not have a paroxysmal nature, but this is normal.
A real danger, especially in the first trimester, is for the fetus, which is not yet sufficiently fixed on the wall of the uterus, a severe attack of coughing, which leads to overstrain of the abdominal muscles. This activates blood circulation in the lower abdomen, which tones the uterus and can result in a miscarriage.
In the second trimester, a cough, even a strong one, is no longer so dangerous for the baby, since it is reliably protected by the placenta and fetal fluid. But nevertheless, it is necessary to ensure that it does not become chronic, since a cough in the third trimester causes strong tremors of the uterus with a contraction of the press, which can provoke a premature onset of labor.
What to do?
So what if a pregnant woman suddenly starts coughing? Many people immediately start wondering which cough syrups to take and if it can be done at all. It is possible and necessary, but not immediately. First, you need to calm down and not panic, since hormones change during stress, which can also cause an increased tone of the uterus.
If there is a high probability that the cause of the cough is a common cold, then you just need to lie down. A day in a warm bed and herbal tea with lemon and a little honey may be enough to restore the body, and the beginning cough will go away.
A glass of warm milk with a pinch of baking soda and a spoonful of honey will be helpful at night. It has an enveloping effect and helps you fall asleep faster. Instead of soda, you can add badger or goat fat, cocoa butter to milk.
The room must be ventilated before going to bed to ensure the flow of oxygen.
But there are situations in which you need to see a doctor immediately:
- body temperature above 38OWITH;
- paroxysmal dry cough;
- severe redness and sore throat;
- enlarged tonsils and plaque on them;
- soreness and enlargement of the lymph nodes;
- distinctly audible wheezing;
- pus or blood in the sputum you cough up.
Such symptoms may indicate the development of purulent-inflammatory processes or the presence of a serious infection in the body. It is urgent to conduct a diagnostic examination and immediately begin treatment, since the infection can damage the expectant mother and fetus.
Features of the first trimester
In the first trimester of pregnancy, there are most prohibitions. They are due to the fact that the placenta, which feeds the fetus and is a natural barrier that protects the baby from the influence of pathogenic microbes and harmful substances in the mother's body, is finally formed by the end of 12-14 weeks. Until that time, everything that enters the mother's body can affect the unborn baby.
No less important is the fact that during this period all the vital organs of the child are being formed. Careless intake of medications can lead to the fact that the child will have underdevelopment of some organs and systems or birth defects.
In order to avoid negative consequences, doctors try not to prescribe any medications unless absolutely necessary, but recommend treating cough with folk methods:
- Herbal teas. A large amount of liquid (at least 1.5 liters per day!) Helps to cleanse the body of toxins (including preventing or reducing the manifestations of toxicosis), moisturizes the mucous membranes, relieves sore throat. Choose herbs carefully - some of them are also contraindicated in the first trimester. It is advisable to brew tea from linden flowers, rose hips, raspberries or viburnum, currant leaves, chamomile flowers.
- Rubbing the chest. For rubbing, you can use regular petroleum jelly or warming ointments sold in pharmacies, which have added: camphor oil, pine or eucalyptus essential oils. A good warming effect is provided by badger, bear, goose fat, which are rubbed into the chest in a heated form. Mustard plasters in the first trimester are also prohibited, as they activate blood circulation too much.
- Inhalation: steam or with a nebulizer. In case of diseases of the upper respiratory tract, steam inhalations with soda solution or decoctions of medicinal herbs are most effective. To refuel the nebulizer, use special medications or Borjomi mineral water. They transform them into a finely dispersed solution, which penetrates deep into the lungs and bronchi, providing a targeted therapeutic effect.
It is better to prepare a cough syrup during pregnancy until the 14th week at home on your own - then you will be completely sure that there are no preservatives and other chemical additives.
From the second trimester, you can already safely use pharmaceutical preparations, in which pregnancy is not included in the list of contraindications.
Syrup for pregnant women
A doctor should prescribe cough syrup for pregnant women! Different drugs have different mechanisms of action on the body, and with the wrong choice of medicine, it can only intensify coughing attacks. What syrup is right for your case, the doctor determines by the nature and causes of the disease, the type of cough and the duration of pregnancy.
Most often, pregnant women are recommended:
- "Sinekod". Combined drug that helps get rid of attacks of dry, unproductive cough and increases the amount of sputum secreted. It acts directly on the cough center, so the dosage must be strictly observed.
- "Herbion". There are two types of the drug - for dry and wet cough. They are made on the basis of plant extracts and do not contain chemical additives, therefore they are completely safe. They dilute phlegm well and facilitate its excretion.
- "Alteika". Everyone is familiar with the drug from childhood, based on an extract from the root of marshmallow medicinal. Indispensable for ARVI, as it has antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect. For diabetics, it exists in the form of a medicine.
- "Gedelix". Natural syrup based on ivy leaf extract with excellent expectorant properties. Increases the amount of phlegm and stimulates its coughing up.
- Stodal. A homeopathic medicine that quickly converts dry coughs to wet coughs, improves coughing and relieves seizures. Helps with any type of cough. Contains ethanol, not used in the first trimester.
Any cough syrup can and should be taken with plenty of water - this speeds up the process of its absorption and prevents irritation of the gastric mucosa.
Cough syrups during pregnancy are usually combined with other alternative methods of treatment, but it must be remembered that some of them are strictly prohibited during this period.
Prohibited treatments
There are alternative methods of cough treatment, which should not be used during pregnancy in any case. The first line in this list is occupied by all procedures using high temperatures: baths, hot baths, etc. Not prescribed during pregnancy:
- hot foot baths;
- mustard plasters and banks;
- electrical physiotherapy;
- vacuum and drainage massage.
The use of any medications, even those prescribed by a therapist, must be additionally coordinated with a gynecologist, who will take into account the peculiarities of pregnancy and fetal development.
As you can see, treating a cough during pregnancy is troublesome and unsafe. Therefore, it is better to protect yourself from various infections, observing elementary preventive measures: do not attend public events, do not contact sick people, observe hygiene in public places.
Ideally, you need to prepare for pregnancy: at least six months before it, give up alcoholic beverages and smoking, drink multivitamin and immunomodulatory drugs, and provide the body with regular moderate physical activity. This will cleanse the body and strengthen the immune system, which means it will significantly reduce the risk of developing respiratory diseases during pregnancy.
