10 tips for when you're pregnant and with a cold

It is not nice to have a cold, but when you are pregnant, it is completely annoying. You cannot use many medicines to get rid of your cold earlier. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do yourself to relieve the symptoms somewhat.

1. Take your rest

Your body is currently busy developing a baby and fighting a cold virus. It is now also extra important to take enough rest. Give your body time to recover: if - in addition to your cold - you don't have the flu or a fever, take more frequent breaks at work or take it a bit slower. If the cold makes you feel uncomfortable, then it is of course wise to just stay at home and sleep as much as possible.
Your body is currently busy developing a baby and fighting a cold virus. It is now also extra important to take sufficient rest. Give your body time to recover: if - in addition to your cold - you don't have the flu or a fever, take more frequent breaks at work or take it a bit slower. If the cold makes you feel bad, then it is of course wise to just stay at home and sleep as much as possible.

Drinking enough water - 1.5 liters a day -Â is important for everyone, whether you are pregnant or not. But if you're pregnant with a cold, it's even more important to keep an eye out for this. A cold causes you to lose a lot of moisture. Do you find it difficult to keep drinking? Then alternate with (chamomile) tea and juice, but be careful with drinking certain herbal teas, such as fennel and anise tea, and coffee. Tip: make a drink of hot water, lemon, honey and possibly ginger. This combination is good for your immune system, soothes the throat and can help with coughing.

Besides that a cup of steaming soup is delicious when you feel less fit, it has now been scientifically proven that eating chicken soup actually helps with the flu and colds. This has to do with an amino acid that helps our immune system to deal with colds and flu. If you don't have the energy to make an elaborate soup yourself, canned chicken soup could help too.
In addition to the fact that a cup of steaming soup is delicious when you feel less fit, it has now been scientifically proven that eating chicken soup actually helps with the flu and colds. This has to do with an amino acid that helps our immune system to deal with colds and flu. If you don't have the energy to make an elaborate soup yourself, canned chicken soup could help too.

If you have a sore throat or have to cough a lot, it can be nice to suck on a throat candy or liquorice. Preferably choose sugar-free variants with, for example, honey flavor or menthol. Look out for ingredients like licorice root extract, as licorice root can raise your blood pressure. In addition, it is wise not to take too many liquorice, because they can have a laxative effect You can possibly take certain cough syrups, but here too it is important that you look carefully at the ingredients list. Avoid cough syrups with anesthetic substances such as codeine, but a syrup with, for example, only thyme extract in it is not harmful. If the coughing is very annoying, ask your midwife or doctor for advice.

In any case, pregnant women often suffer from a stuffy nose due to an increase in the hormone estrogen in the body. If you also have a cold, that's no fun at all. Many nasal sprays are not safe to use as a pregnant woman, but sprays based on a (physiological) saline solution are allowed and are freely available. If you suffer from more serious complaints due to inflammation, for example, it is advisable to contact your doctor. You can then get a stronger nasal spray on prescription that is also safe for pregnant women to use.

You can also use menthol ointment to relieve a stuffy nose or cough complaints. For example, rub a little on your chest before going to sleep, or use it for steaming. Always read the package leaflet to be sure.
You can also use menthol ointment to relieve a stuffy nose or coughing complaints. For example, rub a little on your chest before going to sleep, or use it for steaming. Always read the package leaflet to be sure.

Do you have a sore throat? Gargling with salt water can help by reducing the swelling of irritated mucous membranes. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, tilt your head back slightly and gargle for about 30 seconds. Then spit out the water again. Do this up to three times a day.

You may have already noticed: in the evenings or at night when you are in bed, the coughing can be worse than during the day. This is because at night the mucus and mucus that you swallow during the day comes back up in your throat. Therefore, raise the head of your mattress with pillows or wooden blocks, for example. In addition, you can of course put an extra pillow under your pillow It is better not to lie on your back, as it makes breathing more difficult at night, which can also cause you to cough. Because of the pregnancy, it is in any case not advisable to lie on your back, because this reduces the blood supply to you and your baby.

Steaming with hot water can relieve your airways, especially if you have a stuffy nose or a cough due to stuck mucus. Hot water can help, but you can add chamomile to it. Be careful with essential oils during pregnancy, such as peppermint oil.

A warm bath or shower has a bit of the same effect as steaming: it opens up your airways, allowing you to breathe more freely. In addition, the heat has a relaxing effect, which promotes recovery Do you sleep badly because of your cold? Or do you have other complaints in addition to your cold, such as headaches or earaches? Always ask your midwife or doctor for advice. They can help you further Note: do you have a cold and / or fever? Stay at home and get tested for the coronavirus.