What to Take for a Cold When Pregnant

Updated on April 28, 2011
J.R. asks from Geneva, IL
21 answers

Hi mamas,

I'm in my second trimester and am fighting a miserable cold.

What's your best remedy when you're pregnant? I've never taking anything when I'm pregnant. I am thinking of trying Sudafed.

I am a SAHM with a very active 2-year-old and 1-year-old. So my usual remedy of sleeping for 18 hours is not an option. =) I am not really comfortable with Sudafed, or anything OTC for that matter, but my doctor insists it is fine in the second trimester. Just looking for input on what to do when you can't sleep it off and don't like taking meds when pregnant.

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So What Happened?

Thanks ladies. I decided to skip the sudafed and just tough it out. Colds! UGH! I am ready for summer. =)

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S.O.

answers from Rapid City on

Here is a link to the list of medications that my OB gave me when I was pregnant.
http://www.rapidcitymedicalcenter.com/modules/wfchannel/i...
Drink lots of water and get plenty of Vitamin C - that is what usually works for me.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.F.

answers from Utica on

No Sudafed. Tylenol and plenty of rest and fluids - thats it.
Try a nice warm shower to clear everything up too
Good Luck and I hope you feel better

1 mom found this helpful

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A.F.

answers from Fargo on

Hi Jennifer!
I am having a miserable cold right now too, and though I am not pregnant, my body doesn't handle cold meds very well so I treat everything as naturally as possible.
Here is what I'm doing just to stay sane right now:

1. Drink raw honey and apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon of each in a cup of warm or hot water. Sounds nasty, but it's actually very good! And it feels great.
2. Saline nasal wash. You can get a kit at Target or Wal-Mart, NeilMed is the brand that I use and it works very well.
3. Tylenol for pain. I don't like to take any meds, but I HATE pain, so why suffer, right?

4. I assume Vicks is okay to apply when you are pregnant? Try putting a gob of it on your shower floor when you take a shower. The steam should help your sinuses.

Hang in there! I hope you feel better soon!

1 mom found this helpful

N.G.

answers from Dallas on

You can only take tylenol. You can't take sudafed.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

Chicken soup, a hot steamy shower and a long nap. Feel better soon!

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

Local Honey, Hot Tea, and Saline Nasal Spray.

1 mom found this helpful

A.F.

answers from Chicago on

I never took anything-- despite having the flu (yes real influenza) with 2 of my 3 pregnancies. I used a SinuRinse, spoonful of honey for a sore throat/cough, decaf tea with honey, steamed my face to relieve sinus pressure, etc. I just never trusted the doctor's position that things were OK. I did take extra vitamin C and zinc on top of my prenatals for a while though. My exception to "no meds" is that if you have a fever, it is better to take Tylenol and keep the fever down than to bake your baby! They can't sweat in there and in earlier stages of pregnancy, fever has been linked to birth defects. Best wishes with your pregnancy (and miserable cold)!

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B.D.

answers from Detroit on

I take Zrytec which is safe to take during entire pregnancy. Put vicks on your feet (all over) and wear white socks to bed and even during the day if you want too. I got a horrible cold when I was 6 mos pregnant. I took a Zrytec and did the vicks and I was better in about 3 days. I new I could not do the normal sleep it off since I also have a 3yr old daughter as well. Best of luck to you Jennifer.

J.P.

answers from Stockton on

you can take sudafed......or benedryl, but that is about it. You can call your Dr. - they may have some other suggestions.

Hope you feel better soon ~

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A.K.

answers from Detroit on

I took Sudafed during my pregnancy and had no side effects. It did help eliminate my cold.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Call your OB/GYN for a list of things you can take while you are pregnant--and there ARE things you can take. I had a horrible respiratory infection when I delivered and I was taking several things.

Also, cool mist humidifier at night, saline drops/spray, hot shower steam all DO help as well.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

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K.K.

answers from Saginaw on

what are the symptoms you are trying to alleviate?

if its stuffy and nose related...use afrin. its amazing, and will make you feel awesome in 2 minutes flat, and is not a drug that needs to run through your whole system to be effective.

cough...suck on cough drops, and get your hands on anything menthol. get some stype of mentholated oil and put it in water and breathe the steam.

try not to take any harsh cold meds though

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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

If you're miserable, go into the drs office, you likely have a sinus infection or something else. I've learned that when a cold makes me miserable, it's usually changed into something else.

I too didn't take cold meds when pregnant. I did take Tylenol, tried to stay well hydrated and get lots of rest. A lot easier said than done.

Steam showers and warm baths seemed to help me breathe better and relax my muscles.

Like I said tho - if you're really miserable, get checked for a URI or sinus infection.

Feel better soon!!!

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M.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

When I was last pregnant I had a bad sinus infection. The dr had me use saline spray ( you can get it next to nasal sprays at the rx). that and warm liquids and showers cleared it up.

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T.P.

answers from Detroit on

I'm not sure about the Sudafed myself. When I was in that situation I honestly went right up to the pharmacist and explained my predicament and concerns and she walked me right back to OTC cold medicine area and pointed a couple out for me that should help me and be safe. So, if you have picked up prescriptions from one common place, that is what I would suggest?

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J.C.

answers from Detroit on

I took sudafed while pregnant a few times with each of my boys and it worked great. My only caution would be if you are still nursing your 1 year old, it may dry your milk some.

M.H.

answers from Raleigh on

I have never heard of a doc saying it's okay to take Sudafed. In fact, my doctor said its on the no list. Honestly, if you HAVE to take something, Benadryl is the only thing I would feel comfortable with. It isn't going to help much with the cold symptoms, but it will at least help you sleep at night. A cool mist humidifier, Tylenol, and saline spray for the nose are about as intense as I get when I'm pregnant with a cold. Good luck!

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K.P.

answers from New York on

Sleep, sleep, more sleep... lots of fluids (water, tea, seltzer), Motrin and saline in the nose to clear it out. Not much else you should take, although when I was pregnant my doc gave me a list of things I "could take" if absolutely necessary- but very much discouraged.

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M.W.

answers from Detroit on

Call your OB/GYN to get a recommendation. Don't take anything, even an over the counter med without their advise. Most is not good for a pregnant/breastfeeding mom.

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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

There are several fantastic homeopathic cold remedies that are approved for use in pregnancy. I swear by Boiron's cold tablets. They have sinus ones, allergy ones, and cold ones depending on your symptoms. You can probably find them in any natural foods store or health store nearby, and I've even seen them in Walgreens from time to time.

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A.M.

answers from Eau Claire on

Haven't read other responses but when I got sick during my pregnancy I took vicks and put in on the bottom of my feet and between my toes, then put socks on. I'd also put a little on my chest when I was home. It really works well and I never did anything besides this because I refused to take anything when I was pregnant. I did read that it's okay to take sudafed so if you combined the 2 you'd probably feel a lot better. Good Luck!

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