Coughing during pregnancy is especially unpleasant. This is the period in a woman's life when she should be especially attentive to her own health. Therefore, in no case should you leave it unattended. But you shouldn't panic for no reason either. There are quite a few effective remedies for coughing during pregnancy, so getting rid of the problem will not be difficult. The main thing is to correctly determine the cause and start treatment on time.
Main reasons
In almost 90% of cases, the causes of coughing are respiratory infections. And pregnancy is no exception to the rule. In pregnant women, coughing appears even more often, since their immune system is somewhat weakened and it is more difficult for it to cope with pathogenic microbes. But there are other, non-infectious reasons that can trigger a cough:
- too dry air - leads to dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, provokes perspiration and cough;
- external irritants - polluted air, unpleasant or strong odors, vapors from household chemicals, etc.;
- allergic reactions - accompanied by profuse mucus, laryngeal edema, cough;
- diseases of internal organs - gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular, endocrine;
- chronic respiratory diseases - mainly rhinitis and sinusitis, in which mucus constantly flows down the back of the larynx, irritating it and provoking a cough;
- neoplasms - and not only in the upper respiratory tract, but also in the bronchi, lungs and even the brain.
Before treating a cough during pregnancy, all non-infectious causes must be ruled out. If present, no cough medicine will have a long lasting effect. They will only eliminate the cough as a symptom for a while, but after the woman stops drinking them, the problem will return again.
It is wonderful that when registering a non-registration, a pregnant woman must undergo a preventive examination. It allows you to timely identify hidden diseases that can affect the course of pregnancy or fetal development, and some of them can provoke a cough.
Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor will understand how you can cure a cough, or at least reduce it for the period of bearing a baby.
What is the danger
Unfortunately, many women do not understand how dangerous a cough during pregnancy is and take it lightly, especially if the cough is allergic or chronic and has been present for a long time. A woman simply does not know what medicines for coughing during pregnancy can be taken and postpones treatment until the postpartum period, not realizing that a strong cough can endanger the health and even the life of the unborn child.
First trimester. This period accounts for the largest number of miscarriages. The fertilized egg should firmly anchor on the wall of the uterus, and then, up to 12-14 weeks, the placenta is formed, through which the future baby receives oxygen and nutrition from the mother's body. During this period, intense physical activity is prohibited, which can lead to an increased tone of the uterus or bleeding. And a strong cough is a physical stress on the abdominal muscles and diaphragm. Therefore, one must immediately get rid of it.- Second trimester. The cough is no longer so dangerous. The formation of the placenta is complete, and the baby is reliably protected by fetal fluid. During this period, even taking some antibiotics cannot harm the baby. But only a doctor can prescribe them. He chooses a drug whose components are not able to penetrate the placental barrier and individually selects the dosage. Self-administration of antibiotics can lead to congenital fetal abnormalities.
- Third trimester. The closer to childbirth, the higher the level of oxytocin in the blood, a hormone responsible for the normal course of labor and causing the uterus to contract. The fundus of the uterus is already located directly under the diaphragm, so its strong contractions during a coughing attack can provoke premature birth.
First trimester. This period accounts for the largest number of miscarriages. The fertilized egg should firmly anchor on the wall of the uterus, and then, up to 12-14 weeks, the placenta is formed, through which the future baby receives oxygen and nutrition from the mother's body. During this period, intense physical activity is prohibited, which can lead to an increased tone of the uterus or bleeding. And a strong cough is a physical stress on the abdominal muscles and diaphragm. Therefore, one must immediately get rid of it.It turns out that coughing during pregnancy is an extremely undesirable phenomenon at any time. And even if it is chronic, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the development of severe attacks.
Moreover, the choice of modern cough remedies for pregnant women allows you to solve the problem without harm to the expectant mother and child.
Folk remedies
Usually, even the attending physician recommends drinking herbal teas or using folk remedies for colds or other non-infectious coughs. In most cases, this choice is justified, since there are no chemical additives (even flavoring) and preservatives in the cough medicines prepared at home. But such drugs are not always effective enough to cope with a severe cough.
Another erroneous belief is that a cough during pregnancy can be treated with any folk remedies. There are herbs that can increase toxicity or cause miscarriage. Therefore, the choice of recipes must be extremely careful.
For those who do not understand the properties of plants, it is better to buy ready-made preparations at the pharmacy and carefully study the composition. The packaging always says whether you can drink them during pregnancy.
Here are some effective folk remedies for coughing pregnant women:
- Honey. You should not get carried away with this useful product. If abused, it can provoke rapid weight gain and even an allergic reaction. But in reasonable doses, it is an excellent cough remedy, while strengthening the immune system and supplying the body with additional energy. Honey can be used externally for compresses and rubbing. As a bonus, it significantly improves skin condition. With a coughing fit, put half a teaspoon under the tongue and dissolve slowly. When added to warm herbal or green tea, honey enhances their health benefits. An excellent expectorant is black radish juice, which is formed if you make a notch in a root vegetable and fill it with honey.
Milk. Another universal and completely harmless cough remedy, the only contraindication to which is individual intolerance. Warm milk with baking soda is an excellent dry cough medicine that quickly softens it. Milk with the addition of goat fat or cocoa butter will relieve a sore throat. If drunk at night, it will ensure fast falling asleep and restful sleep. Banana milk (boil a ripe banana in a glass of milk for 5 minutes and beat with a blender) will quickly soothe a sore throat, add strength and even cheer up.- Onion and garlic. Real natural antibiotics. They contain a huge amount of vitamin C and phytoncides that destroy pathogenic microflora. It is advisable to use them fresh daily for the prevention of colds and ARVI. Onion syrup is an excellent remedy for coughs. To do this, first prepare ordinary sugar syrup (2 parts sugar for 1 part water), and when it acquires a caramel shade and cools down a little, add the same amount of freshly squeezed onion juice to it. Onion or garlic juice mixed with honey can be dripped into the nose for pregnant women - this is a great way to treat chronic sinusitis and at the same time get rid of constant coughing.
Milk. Another universal and completely harmless cough remedy, the only contraindication to which is individual intolerance. Warm milk with baking soda is an excellent dry cough medicine that quickly softens it. Milk with the addition of goat fat or cocoa butter will relieve a sore throat. If drunk at night, it will ensure fast falling asleep and restful sleep. Banana milk (boil a ripe banana in a glass of milk for 5 minutes and beat with a blender) will quickly soothe a sore throat, add strength and even cheer up.Decoctions of herbs should be treated with moderation and caution. Of the plants that are traditionally used for coughing pregnant women, are categorically contraindicated: aloe, Kalanchoe, anise, arnica, calendula, elecampane, oregano, hyssop, licorice, chamomile, thermopsis, thyme, thuja.
As you can see, the list is quite impressive, so if you are not sure that the herb you have chosen for treatment can be taken by pregnant women - consult your doctor or at least check the information about the plant on the Internet!
Pharmacy preparations
Unfortunately, in case of serious illnesses: angina, severe flu or ARVI, etc. folk remedies alone are no longer enough. We'll have to use potent pharmaceutical preparations that will help cure the disease in a short time and avoid the development of serious complications. But in this case, only the attending physician should choose cough remedies during pregnancy.
If, according to the results of laboratory tests, it turns out that the cough is of an infectious nature, then antibiotics will have to be prescribed. Many pregnant women are terrified of this category of drugs. But antibiotics of the latest generations have a minimum of side effects and can, if necessary, be used for treatment during pregnancy. The main thing is not to drink them yourself.
It relieves attacks of dry cough well and quickly transforms it into a productive one - "Mukaltin", which can be bought at any pharmacy without a prescription, and it costs literally a penny. This is a plant-based pill that dissolves under the tongue and is completely safe at any stage of pregnancy. For those who prefer syrups, there are also affordable and effective options:
"Sinekod". Combined drug that acts on the cough center and thus quickly relieves attacks of unproductive cough. At the same time, it has a mucolytic effect: it dilutes phlegm, promotes its discharge.- "Alteika". Known to everyone from childhood, an absolutely harmless syrup based on the root of marshmallow officinalis. An excellent expectorant, gently but intensely removing phlegm. With a dry cough, it is not prescribed.
- Stodal. Combined homeopathic preparation, in which there is not a single gram of chemistry. Helps with any type of cough. The best thing to choose during pregnancy.
- "Herbion". There are two types of syrup - for dry and wet cough, created on the basis of mallow and plantain extracts, which allows you to choose the most suitable remedy.
- "Gedelix". Expectorant cough syrup based on ivy extract. Helps with wet and wet coughs, has a mild anti-inflammatory effect. It has no contraindications.
"Sinekod". Combined drug that acts on the cough center and thus quickly relieves attacks of unproductive cough. At the same time, it has a mucolytic effect: it dilutes phlegm, promotes its discharge.Ask your pharmacist what cough medicines you can take during pregnancy. Moreover, some syrups have the same active ingredient, but different names and very different prices. Therefore, if a doctor has prescribed an expensive medicine for you, ask if there is a cheaper analogue.
But remember that even herbal cough syrups are primarily medications. Therefore, you cannot drink any cough remedy during pregnancy for an unlimited time, and the dosage must be strictly observed.
Only a doctor should prescribe them during pregnancy. Without understanding the mechanism of action of the drug, you can get the opposite of the desired result.
Prevention measures
Of course, you can't get away from a chronic illness during pregnancy. You can only take action to contain it. But colds and infections can be avoided if preventive measures are followed:
completely exclude contact with infected people, even family members;- avoid drafts, working air conditioners, hypothermia, severe stress and sudden temperature changes;
- strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene: wash your hands and rinse your throat and nose after visiting public places, have individual dishes and a towel;
- maintain cleanliness and maintain moderate air humidity in the premises, ventilate them at least 2-3 times a day;
- walk in the fresh air for at least half an hour every day, and in very bad weather - increase the ventilation of the room;
- remove from the room everything that can provoke throat irritation or allergic reactions: perfumes, strong-smelling plants, household chemicals;
- do not plan long trips for the period of pregnancy, especially long-term flights, abandon a sharp change in climate.
completely exclude contact with infected people, even family members;And the main thing is to constantly be under the supervision of a specialist, to whom you can turn for advice and help at any time. At the very first symptoms of a respiratory disease, action must be taken immediately - to cure the disease at an early stage is easier and faster than a neglected one.
