Treatment of colds during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

03.09.201628145

While expecting the birth of a child, a woman tries in every possible way to protect herself from colds, as she has heard a lot about the consequences of a common cold on the fetus, its development and gestation. But obstetricians and gynecologists are quick to reassure that colds are not as dangerous for pregnancy in the second trimester than in the first or prenatal period. This is associated with the fully formed organism of the embryo. Therefore, a future mother with a cold will not cause significant harm. But this does not mean that you can let the situation take its course. During any period of pregnancy, it is necessary to consult a doctor to prescribe treatment at the first manifestations of the disease. Since the development of the disease may be unexpected.

Girl consulting with a doctor

• Features of colds in pregnant women
• Possible complications of a cold in the 2nd trimester
• Treatment methods

Treatment of colds during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

Despite the fact that colds are most dangerous in the early stages of pregnancy, this disease should not be taken lightly throughout pregnancy. It should be borne in mind that a more dangerous disease may be hidden behind the symptoms of ARVI, so consultation with a doctor is a necessary measure. Before receiving a doctor's advice, you should take the simplest precautions:

• Maintain bed rest and do not try to endure a cold on your feet;
• Drink plenty of fluids;
• Rinse the nasopharynx with saline solution;
• Gargle frequently with herbal decoctions.

During the consultation, the doctor will determine a treatment regimen for you, taking into account your individual characteristics, the course of pregnancy and the type of disease. It is under no circumstances recommended to take medications on your own. What saved you from a cold before pregnancy can now be disastrous for your baby.

Colds during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the child is protected from mother's diseases by the placenta and is no longer as exposed to danger as during the first trimester. The baby begins to form his own immunity, and all his organs are already laid down. The likelihood of a miscarriage, which hung over the mother like a sword of Damocles in the early stages, becomes low.

However, this does not mean that a woman should be indifferent to her health. An advanced cold can cause disruption of placental blood flow. This can lead to consequences such as fetal hypoxia. Moreover, it is worth remembering that the second trimester is a period of rapid growth of the baby’s organs, and the mother’s illness can interfere with this natural process.

We recommend - Vitamin complexes.

How does a runny nose affect the fetus?

A runny nose can be dangerous for a child because, due to nasal congestion, a woman has difficulty breathing, as a result of which the body receives less oxygen. Accordingly, less oxygen reaches the fetus, which can lead to oxygen starvation and associated developmental disorders.

However, any infection in the 2nd trimester is in itself less dangerous than in the 1st. The placenta is already formed, the baby is reliably protected from inflammation and infections that may be present in the mother’s body. But it is certainly necessary to treat a runny nose in order to prevent negative consequences.

Why colds are dangerous for pregnant women

It’s worth noting right away that doctors do not recognize such a disease as a cold. A cold is hypothermia, which leads to the development of various diseases, such as acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections, influenza, sore throat, etc. A woman’s body during pregnancy is strong and weak at the same time. All the body’s forces are aimed at maintaining pregnancy and adequate nutrition for the baby in the womb, so sometimes there is no strength left to resist infections.

A woman is most vulnerable during the first trimester, when the body is weakened and not yet accustomed to the state of pregnancy. Also, colds in the early stages are dangerous for the baby, because the fetus is poorly attached to the uterus, and all its organs and systems are just beginning to form. In the second trimester, colds no longer pose such a danger. With the correct treatment regimen for the woman and fetus, the disease goes away without consequences. However, you need to know that a serious illness may be hidden behind a cold, so consultation with your doctor is necessary.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, a cold is sometimes a reason for hospitalization due to the risk of premature birth. The mother's infection can get into the amniotic fluid, which the baby periodically swallows. Infection of the fetus can lead to abnormal birth.

At any stage of pregnancy, a woman needs to take care of her health. But don't panic at the first signs of a cold. In most cases, with a timely response and a well-chosen treatment regimen, colds go away without consequences.

Cough treatment

If the cough does start, then you can do inhalations with alkaline mineral water. To do this, you will need a compressor or ultrasonic inhaler. Sometimes the doctor prescribes antibiotics for a cough, but this is a last resort when there is a possibility of developing bronchitis or pneumonia.

Antibiotics are especially dangerous in the 1st trimester, when the baby is not yet protected by the placenta.

What is not recommended for pregnant women to do during a cold?

The expectant mother should take care of herself and not suffer a cold in any of its manifestations on her feet. Many women do not attach importance to the manifestations of the disease, and in the future they have to face unpleasant consequences. It is not recommended to self-medicate not only with medications, but also with folk remedies. Often, herbs have a strong effect on a woman’s body. It is no coincidence that there is an opinion that some herbs can cause spontaneous miscarriages. You should take medications and herbs only after the approval of your doctor.

Many pregnant women try to do without medications, but fanatically avoid treatment when it is not necessary. However, there is a list of medications that should not be taken during pregnancy. The list of prohibited medications includes:

• Aspirin
• preparations based on streptomycin and tetracycline
• Analgin
• Gropronosin, Remantadine
• Kagocel
• Xylometazoline, Otrivin, Xylene
• Nazol

Important! Do not try to cope with the disease on your own and do not ignore its manifestations. After all, the consequences may be irreversible.

First emergency aid at home

Treatment of colds during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester must be carried out under the supervision of a gynecologist with whom you are registered. If the symptoms catch you in the evening, then the expectant mother should provide first aid to herself.

A pregnant woman must understand that once the mechanism is started, it cannot be stopped. However, you can make a cold easier.

First aid for cold symptoms:

1. If possible, protect contact with household members. If this is not possible, put on a gauze bandage. Remember that the bandage should be changed every 3-4 hours.
2. Organize the optimal room temperature. It is 18-22 degrees Celsius.
3. The humidity in the room should be within 70%.
4. Limit physical activity.

Warm liquid is your faithful companion. As an additional liquid, you can use unsweetened ones: fruit drinks, compotes, natural juice, black and green tea. Taking herbal teas internally is contraindicated. The fact is that they stimulate the uterus, which in turn can provoke a miscarriage. Herbal infusions should be taken exclusively externally, for local gargling.

Chamomile tea is a natural antiseptic. At the first signs of a cold, doctors recommend rinsing with chamomile. To do this, pour boiling water over a couple of tea bags. Cool to room temperature and begin the procedure.

A sea salt solution will help moisturize the nasal cavity and get rid of accumulated mucus. You can purchase a ready-made solution at the pharmacy, in the form of a spray or liquid. You can prepare the solution yourself. To do this, pour a tablespoon of sea salt into a liter of boiled water.

Limit your consumption of fatty, spicy and salty foods. The fact is that this food can cause swelling. Give preference to fresh salads, fruits, lean meats, broths and cereals.

Treatment of colds during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester is practically limited to taking medications. But what can pregnant women do for a cold in the 2nd trimester?

What are the complications of a cold during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester?

Despite the fact that in the second trimester of pregnancy the child is protected from infection by the placenta, there are still possible negative consequences of colds for the mother and fetus:

• oxygen starvation of the fetus (hypoxia);
• developmental delay;
• nervous excitement of a pregnant woman;
• prostration;
• toxicosis.

The placenta, which protects the baby and through which it receives all its nutrients, can be damaged by illness. Then the blood flow to the fetus is disrupted and it experiences oxygen starvation, the most dangerous consequence of which is hypoxia. Violation of placental metabolism leads to slowdown and abnormalities in the physical and mental development of the fetus. The baby’s growing organs also suffer, so expectant mothers need to take care of their health even in the second trimester, when the danger seems to be minimal.

Postplacental insufficiency may subsequently lead to pathological early birth. The fetus will have a pale skin color, insufficient weight, and will be weak and lethargic. Also, a cold in the second trimester can affect the formation of the nervous system.

An advanced disease can cause late miscarriage. A cold can damage the bone marrow and endocrine system. In female babies, an egg is laid at 16-17 weeks, and a mother's cold can affect this process and the child may become infertile in the future.

Considering all the possible risks, women should not be negligent about their health. Doctors advise preparing your body in advance for the upcoming pregnancy and taking measures to strengthen the immune system.

Possible consequences

The above applies to the features of the second third of gestation. A runny nose can occur due to a cold or a virus. This can happen at any stage of pregnancy. Is this type of runny nose dangerous? And why is it dangerous for the second third of pregnancy?

A runny nose of this nature is always dangerous during pregnancy.

In the second trimester, such a runny nose is especially dangerous due to insufficient oxygen supply to the baby due to difficulty in nasal breathing. And during this period of rapid growth, he has an increased need for full breathing. With a prolonged runny nose, a child may experience oxygen starvation (hypoxia), which will delay the development of his internal organs. It can end very badly - a miscarriage, a frozen pregnancy, or the development of pathologies in the fetus. Such a runny nose should be treated under the supervision of a doctor. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

General recommendations for treating colds in pregnant women

In the second trimester, a sick woman should contact her doctor and select the necessary treatment regimen. But if it is temporarily impossible to get an appointment, then there are the most general recommendations for expectant mothers.

The first thing to do if you suspect a disease is to limit physical activity. It is advisable to lie in a well-ventilated room with an air temperature of 20-22 degrees. Drinking plenty of fluids helps with colds. This can be warm tea, as well as juices, fruit drinks and compotes. It is not recommended to brew herbal tea, because some herbs are dangerous for pregnant women and can cause uterine contractions. Infusions of medicinal herbs, such as chamomile, should be used to gargle. To prepare chamomile infusion, pour boiling water over a couple of bags and let cool, then you can start rinsing.

When you have a cold, you need to pay close attention to your diet. If possible, avoid salty, fatty and spicy foods. These foods can lead to fluid retention and swelling. It is recommended to eat salads, light broths, water-based cereals and fruits.

During the second trimester of pregnancy, as throughout the entire period, a woman should refrain from taking medications.

The danger of late runny nose

The treatment of late runny nose also needs to be approached seriously and responsibly under the guidance of the attending physician.

1. A runny nose during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester, as well as throughout pregnancy, is dangerous due to possible hypoxia in the baby. By the end of pregnancy, this threatens the child’s underweight, and in the case of a prolonged runny nose and, consequently, prolonged oxygen starvation of the fetus, underdevelopment of individual organs;
2. A runny nose that occurs on the eve of childbirth cannot affect the physical condition of the baby. But there is another danger. A mother infected on the eve of childbirth will not be able to restore her immunity before the birth begins. A newborn baby will immediately encounter an infection, which his mother will involuntarily pass on to him;
3. And, yet, a very undesirable consequence... To give birth, a woman needs to be in good physical shape. Childbirth is accompanied by tension throughout the female body. And, if she has to do this while she has a cold and fever, then one can only sympathize with the woman in labor;
4. If the condition of a pregnant woman before childbirth is greatly complicated by illness, then premature birth may begin.

Features of the treatment of colds during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mother is allowed some antiviral drugs, since the fetus is protected from their effects by the placenta. But you should start taking medications only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Reference. Usually preference is given to drugs in which the active ingredient is interferon. They activate the body's own immunity to fight colds. These can be suppositories, nasal drops, tablets, depending on what treatment method is chosen by the doctor and what virus is to be fought.

Usually, when you have a cold, it is recommended to take pills and drop them into your nose. If the virus is of a different kind, for example an intestinal infection, preference should be given to rectal suppositories.

Honey

Above, we discussed in detail what to take for colds during pregnancy. During treatment, in addition to medications, it is recommended to drink herbal teas. To increase their beneficial effects, you can add honey to them, provided that the woman is not allergic to this sweet and incredibly tasty product. It can also be used to combat herpes as an alternative to ointments.

Previously, people treated colds through bath procedures and rubbing with alcohol tinctures, but this is strictly prohibited during pregnancy. To bring down a high temperature, expectant mothers can apply compresses to themselves. To do this, add a small amount of acetic acid to warm water, after which a towel is soaked in the solution and wrapped around the body. After this, the sick woman should lie under the blanket and wait about an hour. During this time, the temperature should drop to approximately 37.4 degrees. Similar compresses can be applied to the forehead.

What and how to treat, folk remedies

As mentioned earlier, the baby is protected in the second trimester, and colds do not pose a big threat, unlike the period of the first trimester. But many doctors advise taking a prophylactic course of medications during the peak of incidence to prevent the disease and its dangerous consequences.

Prevention of the disease may not always be successful, and if a pregnant woman does get sick, preference should be given to gentle antiviral medications during treatment.

Attention! Before taking medications, you should consult a doctor. Self-medication during pregnancy can lead to irreparable consequences for the mother and fetus.

We list some medications that are considered acceptable during pregnancy. Vitamin complexes can be viewed here.

Antiviral tablets

1. Oscillococcinum. A safe drug that will come to the rescue to relieve symptoms, reduce fever and promote recovery. It is necessary to discuss the dosage of the drug with your doctor.
2. Anaferon. Doctors are ambivalent about the drug, and the instructions say that it is contraindicated during pregnancy. However, the effect on the fetus has not been proven, so many doctors prescribe it to their patients. Contraindicated in case of allergic reactions.
3. Arbidol. It is preferable when the expectant mother is ill, as it effectively fights fever and relieves symptoms.
4. Doctor Mom. It is recommended that pregnant women take it for coughing. It is an effective remedy, but can be completely replaced with ordinary tea with lemon and honey if the cough is not very pronounced.
5. Bromhexine. It has an expectorant effect and is recommended by doctors because it consists of herbal ingredients.

Antipyretics

1. Paracetamol. We often recommend it for pregnant women for colds. It is part of almost all antiviral drugs, but during pregnancy it is better to use it in its pure form.
2. Panadol. There are no contraindications for pregnant and lactating women; it is considered one of the most gentle and safe drugs that is good at reducing fever.
3. Aflubin. It relieves symptoms, but does not fight the cause of the disease, so it is most often prescribed in combination with another medicine.

For sore throat

1. Faringosept. A very effective remedy for relieving inflammation and swelling of the throat, has no contraindications during pregnancy.
2. Spray Inhalipt. Relieves swelling of the throat, has no contraindications during pregnancy.
3. Bronchicum. The syrup relieves sore throat, consists of natural ingredients, and has no contraindications.
4. Chlorophyllipt solution. For throat diseases, it is considered effective to gargle with a solution 7-10 times a day.

Nasal drops

1. Aquamaris. A safe and effective remedy for pain with a runny nose during pregnancy based on the water of the Andriatic Sea.
2. Pinosol. It consists of herbal components, fights the runny nose well, and has no contraindications.
3. Grippferon. Used for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases, has no contraindications during pregnancy.
4. Viferon. A safe antiviral drug that is often prescribed during pregnancy.
5. Genferon. Should be used with caution and only after 13 weeks of pregnancy. In the early stages, it can have a negative effect on the fetus.

Many expectant mothers prefer traditional medicine methods when fighting colds, considering them the safest. This opinion is only half true.

Attention! Folk remedies used without consulting a doctor can cause harm to the fetus. You should completely avoid honey if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it. It is not recommended to drink herbal infusions and overuse raspberries and lemon.

Folk remedies that have no contraindications for the treatment of colds in the second trimester:

• Tea based on linden, currant, raspberry
• Decoctions of rose hips, currants, raspberries
• Hot milk with raspberry jam

The most effective antiseptic herbs are calendula and chamomile. Pregnant women use them to rinse their nose and gargle. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect, so the results of use are visible almost immediately.

Prevention

We will be very glad to know that you are on the mend and nothing threatens you and your baby. We recommend a few simple rules, following which you can, if not with 100% probability, but certainly avoid the disease as much as possible.

• Avoid visiting crowded places, especially during the well-known cold seasons, in autumn-winter and early spring. If the need has already come, then lubricate your nose with oxolinic ointment, and upon returning, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and rinse your nose with Aqualor solution.
• Take prenatal vitamins, but don't overdo it.
• Wash your hands frequently throughout the day.
• Make it a rule to periodically ventilate the room and be sure to walk outside. Viruses do not survive in moving fresh air, but in the dry climate of rooms they thrive.
• Buy an air humidifier and turn it on more often, if you can’t afford this device right now - you can simply hang a wet terry towel or sheet in the room (or cover a hot radiator with them, although you will have to change them more often as they dry, but it’s worth it). When drying, they will release moisture into the air and comfortable air will provide you with easy breathing.
• If you don’t currently have an aversion to garlic, then try eating it sometimes, maybe not in its pure form in slices, but as a bite with bread. You can rub it and spread it on a piece of bread or slice - it will be a little more pleasant.
• If there is no allergy or rejection, then an aroma lamp with a drop of essential oil - menthol, eucalyptus or fir will bring certain benefits.

After reading, you know why it is dangerous to get sick during pregnancy, what can follow such a disease, and how it is advisable to treat it. Our article will become a guide for you, BUT only together with your doctor should you choose a way to combat the disease. Experiments are now prohibited!! You need to recover without consequences and complications, and believe me, the doctor knows much better than us how to treat colds during pregnancy; an individual approach is important here, taking into account your state of health before and during pregnancy. Love yourself, listen to your desires and don’t get sick!

When to see a doctor

It is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as you feel unwell. Self-medication in the second trimester of pregnancy can lead to such disastrous consequences as disruption of placental metabolism and fetal hypoxia. Advanced diseases or a treatment regimen chosen independently can negatively affect the course of pregnancy. Only a doctor can give recommendations that will take into account all the individual characteristics of a pregnant patient.

Pregnancy is a magical period in the life of every woman! In the second trimester, she begins to feel the baby's light touches and already realizes that a new life is developing inside her, for which she is responsible. To ensure that this period is not overshadowed by colds, you need to carefully monitor your health, because the happiness and well-being of your baby depends on your well-being!