Before embarking on the treatment of dry cough, a pregnant woman should clearly understand which means can be used for this, and which absolutely cannot. The choice of drug depends on the cause of this unpleasant symptom. Often, a dry cough signals a developing acute respiratory viral infection, which many call a cold. In no case should a future mother be ignored even such a seemingly simple disease. Action should be taken immediately.
What can be done to get rid of the cough and not harm the child? First of all, consult a doctor who will prescribe adequate treatment. But it is also important to know for yourself which medications and methods for eliminating dry cough are safe while waiting for the birth of a baby.
What can you take
The range of dry cough medicines that pregnant women can take is not very diverse. Many drugs are contraindicated during the period of bearing a child. However, it is also impossible to expect that the cough will go away on its own. After all, if there is no treatment, the infection process is delayed, and complications may appear. As a result, the state of health deteriorates, and the development of the child is at risk.
When choosing an anti-cough drug, you should pay attention to the category of drugs, the main active ingredients of which are herbal extracts. They can be found in sufficient quantities in pharmacies. However, the first question that a woman in a position will ask a pharmacist should be about the admissibility of taking the drug during pregnancy.
It is imperative to clarify the trimester, since there are medications that are forbidden to be taken at an early stage, but it is quite acceptable - in the II and III trimesters.
A dry cough can appear in a pregnant woman as an allergic reaction to any external irritant - household dust and detergents, pollen from flowering plants and poplar fluff, some products, and so on. Note that after conception, the female body undergoes major changes. Therefore, an allergic cough may well be provoked by even the most harmless factors. If it turns out that the cough is still of an allergic origin, to eliminate it, it will be enough to regularly ventilate the room, humidify the air, do wet cleaning and get rid of potential dust collectors (carpets, soft toys). If these measures do not help, your doctor will prescribe antihistamines.
Only after consulting a doctor, you can find out the cause of a dry cough and understand how and how to properly treat it so that it does not affect the fetus.
What drugs are allowed for pregnant women
If the disease is at an early stage and is relatively easy, the doctor will not prescribe "heavy artillery" - analgesics, antibiotics and drugs containing codeine. An unproductive cough in pregnant women is treated with drugs that are aimed at suppressing the cough reflex at the very beginning of the disease. The effectiveness of the drug is evidenced by the fact of sputum formation and its successful expectoration.
Medicines for eliminating dry coughs are produced in various forms:
(capsules);- potions;
- syrups;
- sucking lollipops;
- aerosols.
(capsules);Women while waiting for the birth of a baby are allowed to use the following drugs:
- Libexin is a safe remedy for unproductive cough that can be taken by pregnant women regardless of the trimester. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory and sedative effects. Release form - tablets.
- "Sinekod" - should be taken if you need to relieve a strong and painful coughing fit, slow down the inflammatory process, eliminate infectious foci, and also dilute phlegm and remove it outside (not recommended in the first trimester, and in the second and third trimesters - only with the permission of the doctor if the benefit to the expectant mother is higher than the risk to the fetus). Release form - syrup.
- "Stopussin" is a mucolytic drug that reduces the intensity of dry cough attacks, reduces inflammation (not recommended in the first trimester, and in the second and third trimesters - only with the permission of the doctor, if the benefits for the pregnant woman are higher than the risk for the child). Release form - tablets and drops.
In addition to the medicines mentioned, pregnant women can use permitted aerosols, gargle, do inhalations, and also use antitussive decoctions and infusions from traditional medicine recipes.
Dry cough syrups
The most pleasant form of antitussive drugs for pregnant women is syrup. We list the drugs produced in this form that can be safely taken while waiting for the baby.
- "Gerbion" is an excellent helper for unproductive coughs. It is a well-known mucolytic, bronchodilator and antispasmodic. There are 4 types of this drug to choose from in pharmacies: based on Icelandic moss, ivy, plantain and primrose. The name of the medicine corresponds to its active ingredient. For example, the main substance of the medicine "Herbion Icelandic Moss Syrup" is the extract of this medicinal plant. "Herbion ivy syrup" contains ivy extract as an active substance and so on. It is very effective against dry coughs. It is convenient to dispense this drug, since the manufacturer has provided a special dispensing cap with a mark to which you need to pour the syrup. It must be taken 3 to 4 times a day before meals. If a pregnant woman has an individual intolerance to any component of this drug, you will have to refuse to take it.
Althea Syrup is a herbal preparation. The main active ingredient is dried marshmallow root extract. The drug is characterized by expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects. It has a rather specific taste. After taking, a sweetish pleasant aftertaste remains. This syrup can be used to treat dry coughs, a symptom of upper respiratory tract diseases. You need to take the medicine 3 to 4 times a day with diluted warm water (a tablespoon of syrup should be poured into half a glass of water). The drug is contraindicated only for those who have an individual intolerance to its components.- "Doctor Mom". This is a combined drug that not only provides a bronchodilator and expectorant effect, but also reduces the inflammatory process. The main active ingredients of the preparation are dried extracts of wasika adatoda (vascular justice), aloe, licorice, ginger, turmeric, basil. According to the instructions, you need to drink this syrup 3 to 4 times a day. The standard single dosage is 2 teaspoons. The only contraindications are individual sensitivity to one or more components, as well as the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Stodal is a very aromatic syrup with a very pleasant taste. It can be used for any cough. Sold in small 200 ml bottles. There are no contraindications. The only exception is individual sensitivity. It is necessary to dispense this medicine with a special measuring cap that comes with it. A single dose is 2-3 full caps of syrup. It should be taken before meals three times a day.
Althea Syrup is a herbal preparation. The main active ingredient is dried marshmallow root extract. The drug is characterized by expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects. It has a rather specific taste. After taking, a sweetish pleasant aftertaste remains. This syrup can be used to treat dry coughs, a symptom of upper respiratory tract diseases. You need to take the medicine 3 to 4 times a day with diluted warm water (a tablespoon of syrup should be poured into half a glass of water). The drug is contraindicated only for those who have an individual intolerance to its components.What to gargle with
With the help of rinsing, you can soothe the inflamed mucous membrane, get rid of dryness and sore throat, and also significantly reduce the intensity of dry cough attacks.
To achieve the maximum effect, the procedure for rinsing the throat must be performed at least 4-5 times a day (the optimal frequency is every 3 hours). This should be done after the meal.
To cure a dry cough, a pregnant woman can use one of the following decoctions to rinse:
Mix calendula officinalis (flowers), medicinal sage (herb) and eucalyptus (herb) in equal parts. Pour a full tablespoon of the healing mixture with a glass of boiling water. Place the container with the drug in a water bath and boil for 10 minutes. Then strain the resulting broth and cool slightly. It is now ready for rinsing. Please note that this product cannot be stored for a long time. It should be used within 4 hours.- Mix narrow-leaved fireweed (leaves), marshmallow (root), meadow clover (flowers), chamomile (flowers), peppermint (leaves), coltsfoot (grass), raspberries (leaves) and pine buds in equal proportions ... Grind the mixture. Pour a tablespoon of the healing mixture with one glass of boiling water. Place the container with the drug in a water bath and boil for 15 minutes. Then pour the resulting broth into a thermos and leave for 2 hours, then strain. Now it can be used for rinsing.
- Take 0.5 liters of warm boiled water and add a full tablespoon of natural apple cider vinegar to it. Gargle with such a solution at 2-hour intervals.
Mix calendula officinalis (flowers), medicinal sage (herb) and eucalyptus (herb) in equal parts. Pour a full tablespoon of the healing mixture with a glass of boiling water. Place the container with the drug in a water bath and boil for 10 minutes. Then strain the resulting broth and cool slightly. It is now ready for rinsing. Please note that this product cannot be stored for a long time. It should be used within 4 hours.And the simplest recipe: Dissolve baking soda (half a teaspoon) in a glass of water at room temperature.
Antitussive inhalation
The most popular method for eliminating dry cough among pregnant women is various inhalations. They greatly facilitate and reduce coughing attacks. There are several ways to accomplish this procedure. The most convenient of these is the use of a nebulizer. However, even if a pregnant woman uses an ordinary saucepan, the result will also be positive. True, for this you will need to cover your head with a blanket and actively inhale the steam.
It is important not to forget that you cannot inhale with freshly boiled water - you can get burns of the mucous membrane. It is necessary to let the pan "rest" for about 5 minutes before starting the session.
By the way, its duration should be no more than 10 minutes. It is allowed to repeat the inhalation procedure up to 6 times a day. An important rule: after each inhalation session, you must be at home for an hour. Drinking cool drinks is prohibited.
Here are some inhalation recipes as an example.
- Liquid natural honey will relieve unpleasant dry cough. It should be diluted in hot water in a 1: 5 ratio. It is necessary to breathe such a drug both through the nose and through the mouth - in turn.
- Take fresh, finely chopped garlic (1 teaspoon), eucalyptus leaves (2 teaspoons), pine needles extract (1 teaspoon), and menthol oil (2 drops). Mix these ingredients and pour boiling water over the resulting mixture. Inhalation can be started.
- Pour a couple of tablespoons of dry sage (optionally St. John's wort, chamomile, or thyme) with a glass of boiled water. Wrap the container with the drug and leave it for 20 minutes, then strain. Separately heat the water for inhalation and pour the prepared infusion into it. You can start the procedure.
There is another good old way - to breathe over a decoction of potatoes. If you can handle odors well, you can add garlic and onions to it. After 4-5 procedures, dry cough will soften.
Decoctions and infusions recipes
While waiting for the birth of a baby, many women prefer to use traditional grandmother's recipes, not trusting pharmaceutical products. In this case, you can use one or more recipes for medicinal herbal drinking decoctions.
Pour 0.5 kg of bran (you can take rye or wheat) with boiling water (3 l) and boil them for 10 minutes. Then strain the broth through a sieve. The finished drug must be taken warm during the day. If desired, you can add honey or sugar to it. This medicine is effective in treating a debilitating, unproductive cough. The duration of the course of treatment is several days until this unpleasant symptom disappears.- Pour a tablespoon of pine buds with a glass of boiling water. Pour the potion into a thermos or wrap the pot with a towel. Insist for 40 minutes. Then strain the infusion and take it as soon as you feel like coughing. Single dose - 1 or 2 tablespoons.
- Mash the poppy seeds (1 teaspoon) until powdery. Pour warm milk (50 ml) into it. Let it infuse a little. Such an infusion should be taken in one gulp, at a time. It softens irritated mucous membranes well and relieves chest pain.
- Grind a couple of ripe bananas through a sieve and pour the resulting gruel with a glass of slightly warmed water. If desired, you can add natural honey or sugar to the potion. You can take in unlimited quantities, but within reason.
Pour 0.5 kg of bran (you can take rye or wheat) with boiling water (3 l) and boil them for 10 minutes. Then strain the broth through a sieve. The finished drug must be taken warm during the day. If desired, you can add honey or sugar to it. This medicine is effective in treating a debilitating, unproductive cough. The duration of the course of treatment is several days until this unpleasant symptom disappears.Let's summarize
When a pregnant woman has a cough, in some cases it will not be possible to do without pharmaceutical preparations. Especially if a dry cough is accompanied by severe weakness, runny nose, body aches and high fever. Here it is already necessary to take urgent measures.
The impact of medications on the body of a pregnant woman will harm the child much less than the complications that have arisen due to the lack of adequate treatment. And to increase efficiency, you can also use folk remedies.
The first thing to do with a dry cough is to see a doctor. Self-medication during pregnancy is very dangerous - the disease can be started.
A number of medicinal herbs are contraindicated for women in position, and mustard plasters, hot baths and even foot baths with mustard can provoke bleeding and miscarriage. Only an experienced specialist can establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe the most gentle and effective treatment.
