Cough during pregnancy easily occurs due to a decrease in the body's defenses. A slight hypothermia and communication with a carrier of a respiratory infection is enough for this symptom to appear in combination with others: fever, runny nose, weakness. Frequent coughing negatively affects the course of pregnancy and the condition of the fetus, so it must be treated. At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor: a specialist will be able to correctly diagnose and prescribe medications that are safest for you. expectant mother and her baby.

Cough during pregnancy is usually due to an acute or chronic respiratory tract infection. If the source of inflammation is localized in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, then a reflex contraction of the muscles of the larynx with a simultaneous increase in bronchial tone occurs due to mucus flowing down the back wall of the pharynx. This mechanism is typical for rhinitis, sinusitis, and adenoiditis.

With inflammation of the lower parts - tonsils, pharynx, larynx, trachea - cough occurs due to direct irritation of the mucous membrane. It accompanies tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis.

Pneumonia and bronchitis are characterized by inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. With these diseases, sputum accumulates in the tissues of the lungs and bronchi and provokes coughing attacks.

The second most common reason why cough occurs during pregnancy is allergic diseases localized in the respiratory tract. Reflex attacks develop with allergic obstructive bronchitis, allergic tracheitis, and bronchial asthma.

In rare cases, cough develops in diseases of the hearing organs, stomach, diaphragm, heart and blood vessels. Neurotic disorders can also be a cause.

Why is coughing dangerous during pregnancy?

Coughing during pregnancy can be dangerous, especially if it is dry and lasts for a long time. If left untreated, the following complications develop:

1. Hypertonicity of the uterus. In the middle of each cough reflex cycle, a strong contraction of the abdominal wall muscles occurs. This overstrain is transmitted to the uterus, as a result of which its tone increases. This condition is one of the most common causes of threatened miscarriage.
2. Oxygen starvation of the fetus. Frequent paroxysmal cough leads to deterioration of placental blood supply. As a result, the child does not receive the required amount of oxygen and nutrients. In severe cases, this leads to intrauterine growth retardation.
3. Uterine bleeding. This complication is associated with strong contraction of the abdominal wall muscles during coughing. A prolonged attack can cause uterine bleeding in cases where there is a placenta previa or its low location.

In addition to the cough itself, the diseases that cause it are dangerous. Infectious, allergic and others pathological processes negatively affect the course of pregnancy and the health of the unborn child.

Why is cough dangerous in pregnant women?

Cough during pregnancy can have different effects on the condition of the fetus depending on the trimester in which the disease occurred. Treatment methods are also largely determined by the timing: the safest period is the middle of pregnancy, when all organs are already laid down, and childbirth is still far away.

Cough in the first trimester

The first trimester is a period of intense hormonal and immune changes. Reducing the body's protective functions is necessary so that the embryo is not rejected and can gain a foothold in the uterus. back side This process makes a woman more susceptible to any infection. Those situations that previously did not cause illness now become their cause (weak drafts, being in the same room with a sick person, etc.).

In the first three months, coughing is dangerous due to the risk of developing uterine hypertonicity. This complication is a sign of a threatened miscarriage. Therefore, if the doctor recommends hospitalization, you should not refuse. Infectious diseases, which are a common cause of cough, are dangerous because they can provoke disturbances in the development of the child’s vital organs.

Another problem that doctors face during this period is the selection of effective and at the same time safe treatments. In the first weeks of pregnancy, almost all medications are contraindicated. Therefore, the basis of therapy is traditional methods - rinsing and inhalation based on medicinal herbs, rinsing the nose with saline solution, etc. If gentle remedies do not bring the expected result, then a decision is made to prescribe medications.

Cough in the second trimester

In the second trimester, cough during pregnancy and the diseases that caused it are no longer so dangerous. By this period, the formation of the placenta, a barrier that protects the fetus, is completed. It allows nutrients and oxygen to pass through, but prevents the penetration of infection and some medicinal compounds.

However, the possibilities of this barrier are not unlimited. During a cold, fetoplacental insufficiency can develop - a condition in which the fetus does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. In severe cases, there is a risk of premature birth or intrauterine death of the child.

Compared to the first trimester, the list of acceptable drugs is expanding. Doctors are less wary of prescribing medications that can quickly eliminate the cause of cough.

Cough in the third trimester

In the last trimester, the placenta becomes more permeable and gradually ages. Under the influence of infection, its functionality decreases. The risk of developing fetoplacental insufficiency increases: oxygen reaches the fetus in insufficient quantities, and toxins and medicinal compounds penetrate into it. Starting from the 37th week, viruses can enter the amniotic fluid, which the child swallows.

The danger of coughing during this period is associated with the possibility of premature onset of labor. Placental abruption, rupture of water surrounding the fetus, and bleeding may also occur.

Medicines are selected by the doctor individually, taking into account the disease and condition of the pregnant woman. Along with traditional methods, medications are actively used.

Cough treatment

Before prescribing treatment for a pregnant woman, the doctor carries out all the necessary diagnostic procedures to help find out the cause of the cough. If a symptom has developed due to an infectious-inflammatory process in the respiratory tract, then its nature is assessed.

Treatment of dry cough

With a dry cough, mucus and sputum do not come out at all or are released in small quantities. Another name for it is unproductive. It does not bring relief, it is painful and protracted. The essence of treatment is to make a dry cough moist. That is, it is necessary to achieve the release of sputum and its removal from the body. To do this, it is necessary to use products that promote the formation of mucus.

To eliminate cough during pregnancy, especially in its early stages, inhalations are used. These simple procedures almost instantly alleviate a woman’s condition, promoting the formation and removal of sputum. The most common and effective are inhalations with Miramistin, Chlorphyllipt, mineral water, propolis, eucalyptus, carried out using a nebulizer.

Before the procedure, you must consult a doctor; at high temperatures (above 38 degrees) and in some other cases, inhalation is contraindicated.

Among medications Tablets and syrups are used to treat dry cough during pregnancy. All of them are selected individually, taking into account the duration of pregnancy. Doctors often prescribe mucalytic drugs: Bronchipret, Gerbion, Gedelix, Mucaltin.

Centrally acting antitussives (Sinecod, Tusuprex) are used with caution and only in the second and third trimesters. There is no clinical data on the use of these medications during pregnancy, so they should be used only as prescribed by a doctor.

Treatment of wet cough

With a wet cough, phlegm is removed from the bronchi to the outside. It is productive and brings relief. Infectious agents are removed along with the mucus. But if this type of cough is not treated, it will become chronic and the mucus will no longer be excreted. To eliminate it, mucus thinners are used.

Among traditional methods The best known treatment for wet cough is the use of herbal infusions and decoctions. Plants such as thyme and marshmallow root thin and increase mucus production.

You can also use honey, milk, garlic and onions. Before using these medications, you should consult your doctor, as some of them can affect the functioning of the heart and blood vessels and cause allergies.

To eliminate a wet cough, the following medications may be recommended during pregnancy: Bromhexine, Doctor Mom, Gedelix, Prospan. All these drugs are prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the disease, the duration of pregnancy and the health characteristics of the woman.

Prevention

Since the most common causes of cough during pregnancy are infectious and allergic diseases, prevention comes down to preventing their development. During an unfavorable epidemiological situation, it is better to refrain from visiting crowded places.

Almost every woman at one stage or another during pregnancy experiences colds and coughs. The thing is that pregnancy hormones suppress the immune system and make the expectant mother’s body more susceptible to any infections. However, in addition to colds, coughs can also be caused by other conditions. We will present a list of the most common causes of cough during pregnancy:

Viral infections

• Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is an infectious disease in which the lower respiratory tract becomes inflamed. Bronchitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. A cough with bronchitis can be dry, but most often it is accompanied by the release of a small amount of yellowish sputum. In addition to a wet cough, acute bronchitis often results in increased body temperature, chest pain, and general weakness.

• Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia)

Pneumonia is an extremely dangerous condition that requires immediate hospitalization of the pregnant woman and intensive treatment. Typically, pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection. The cough of pneumonia is usually wet and accompanied by high temperature body, chest pain, severe weakness and shortness of breath.

• Allergies

Almost one in four women suffer from allergies during pregnancy, and some women allergic reactions They first appear during pregnancy and disappear completely soon after birth. An allergy cough is usually dry, without phlegm, and worsens upon contact with an irritant (allergen). An allergen can be dust, cat hair, pollen, food, some chemicals, etc. In addition to coughing, allergies often cause redness of the eyes, runny nose with clear liquid discharge from the nose, sneezing, skin rashes, etc.

• Smoking

• Runny nose in pregnant women

Hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman can lead to the development of a condition such as runny nose during pregnancy. There is a separate article on our website dedicated to this topic:. Such a runny nose, as a rule, is not dangerous for either the expectant mother or the fetus, and disappears without a trace soon after birth. However, a runny nose can cause a dry cough in some pregnant women.

• Heartburn

Is coughing dangerous during pregnancy?

A cough at any stage of pregnancy is a cause for concern both for the pregnant woman and for her doctor.

There is an opinion that cough early stages pregnancy can cause miscarriage. Fortunately, recent scientific research has not found a consistent link between coughing in the first trimester of pregnancy and an increased rate of miscarriage, so such a link is unlikely.

Another common belief is that coughing later pregnancy can cause placental abruption or. And in this case, scientists did not find any evidence to support this hypothesis. If a woman is healthy and her pregnancy is proceeding well, then it is unlikely that a cough will provoke any dangerous pregnancy complications.

So what does coughing during pregnancy lead to? In some pregnant women, cough can be caused by:

• The appearance of scanty bloody (red or brown) vaginal discharge

Such discharge is associated with ruptures of small blood vessels in the vaginal mucosa. When a woman appears, she should consult a gynecologist to rule out possible complications. However, if brown discharge associated with a cough, they are usually not dangerous and do not threaten pregnancy.

• Urinary incontinence

When coughing, there is a short-term increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which affects the bladder and can lead to urinary incontinence. In this case, the pregnant woman may develop false feeling that her water had broken. It is quite easy to distinguish urinary incontinence from water breaking: by smell (water, unlike urine, has no odor) and by duration (if it is incontinence, it appears only when coughing, if it is water breaking, then it will continue even at rest) .

When should you consult a doctor?

Sometimes a cough can be a symptom of serious illnesses that require qualified medical care. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if:

• severe cough accompanied by chest or back pain
• cough is accompanied by rapid breathing and a feeling of shortness of breath
• coughing produces sputum containing blood
• body temperature exceeds 38.5C

Do coughs need to be treated during pregnancy?

Despite popular belief, coughing during pregnancy does not always require intensive drug treatment. In most cases, when the cough is caused by a common cold, the pregnant woman is advised to refuse medicinal methods treatment and direct your attention to general strengthening procedures (drinking plenty of fluids, air humidification, proper nutrition, avoiding places where they smoke, etc.)

How to treat cough during pregnancy

Of course, not all cough medications can be taken during pregnancy. Experts generally recommend that pregnant women avoid taking medications if possible and first try non-drug methods for treating cough:

• Humidifier

Dry air makes breathing difficult and worsens coughs caused by allergies or colds. This problem is especially pronounced during the cold season, when indoor heating systems significantly reduce air humidity. Humidifiers do a great job of solving this problem. Experts recommend keeping the humidity in your home at 30-40% if you are healthy, and 50-60% if you have a cough.

• Drink more liquids

Pregnant women are recommended to drink about 2 liters of fluid per day. During illness, the amount of liquid you drink can be increased to 3 liters. At the same time, you can drink not only water: tea, juice, compote, milk, soup - all this counts.

• Milk with honey

A method that has been proven for hundreds of years to treat a sore throat and cough is warm milk with honey. This method is safe during pregnancy.

What cough medicines can pregnant women take?

Women often ask what cough tablets and syrups they can take during pregnancy. In fact, if you carefully study the instructions for the most popular cough remedies, in almost every one you will find a mention that the medicine is contraindicated during pregnancy, or that its effect on the fetus has not been studied. This is due to the difficulty of conducting studies on pregnant women, and the fact that manufacturers do not want to take risks by declaring the safety of a particular drug during pregnancy.

So, what cough remedies are most often prescribed to pregnant women?

• Mukaltin cough tablets can be prescribed for coughs with viscous sputum. These tablets contain marshmallow root (a medicinal herb) and have an expectorant effect. Most experts are of the opinion that Mucaltin is safe during pregnancy. Pregnancy is not on the list of contraindications for this drug.
• Bromhexine is another popular cough suppressant that comes in the form of tablets, cough syrup, and oral drops. Bromhexine has an expectorant effect (promotes the removal of sputum). The instructions for this drug may contain information that Bromhexine is contraindicated during pregnancy, contraindicated only in the first trimester of pregnancy, or that the use of Bromhexine during pregnancy is permissible only with the permission of a doctor, after assessing the possible risks. However, most doctors are of the opinion that Bromhexine can be taken by pregnant women.
• The solution for external use Doctor IOM contains a mixture of medicinal herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect. The solution must be applied to the skin of the wings of the nose several times a day. This remedy provides temporary relief from stuffy nose and cough, and is completely safe during pregnancy.
• Doctor IOM cough syrup is also sometimes prescribed to pregnant women, however, no studies have been conducted to prove the safety of this drug during pregnancy.
• Travisil lozenges have an expectorant and antibacterial effect, so they can be useful for coughing. The instructions for the drug indicate that clinical trials have not been conducted on pregnant women, however, the composition of this drug suggests that it is safe for pregnant women, provided dosages are observed.

Antibiotics for coughs during pregnancy

Antibiotics, as a rule, are not prescribed for a common cold, however, if the infection has penetrated deeply and caused bronchitis or pneumonia, they cannot be avoided. Antibiotics may be prescribed in the following cases:

• if the cough is accompanied by an increase in body temperature to 38.5C or higher
• if the examination reveals bronchitis or pneumonia (pneumonia)

Caution: Do not start taking antibiotics on your own. Only the attending physician can prescribe a medicine from the group of antibiotics! This is especially important during pregnancy!

What cough medicines should you not take during pregnancy?

As we have already said, most cough medications are contraindicated during pregnancy, or their effect on pregnancy has not been studied. Particular attention should be paid to the composition of the drug. It should not contain alcohol and codeine, which have an extremely negative effect on the condition of the fetus.

Before using any product, carefully read the instructions or consult your doctor.

What cough medicines are ineffective?

Any homeopathic medicines (including Stodal cough syrup) do not have any proven therapeutic properties and are therefore not recommended for the treatment of cough during pregnancy. Their high price combined with the lack of proven effectiveness, make these drugs an undesirable choice for the treatment of any disease.

A woman’s pregnancy is an important period when the expectant mother is responsible not only for her health, but also for the development of the baby.

Throughout the entire period, there is a risk of contracting various diseases. It increases at the beginning of pregnancy, when a natural decrease in immunity occurs. A common sign of a cold is a cough. It can be quite dangerous for a woman and her new condition.

A cough is a reflex forced exhalation caused by irritation of the walls of the respiratory tract. How to treat a cough during pregnancy depends on its nature and the nature of its occurrence.

The main cause of a sore throat and gurgling in the lungs is an inflammatory process:

• influenza or ARVI;
• bronchitis (acute, chronic, obstructive);
• pneumonia;
• pathologies of the ENT organs (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis);
• measles or whooping cough.

The symptom also occurs due to irritation of the respiratory tract by external factors. In this case, we are talking about an allergy or a physiological cough. By nature, they are distinguished between acute and chronic, dry and wet, dull and voiced.

Danger for pregnant women

Cough is a symptom, not an independent disease. The pathologies that cause it can lead to dangerous complications.

A severe cough during pregnancy is a dangerous phenomenon. Dry is considered more serious, posing a threat to the new position, than wet. Doctors are seriously worried about the condition of the expectant mother for several reasons.

• Hypertonicity of the uterus.

With frequent hysterical cough, the anterior abdominal wall becomes tense. This, in turn, leads to increased uterine tone. This prospect threatens the detachment of the membranes in the early stages of pregnancy and premature birth on later ones.

• Hypoxia.

With bronchospasm, which often results from an allergic reaction, a lack of oxygen occurs. This process is fraught with impaired blood circulation and metabolic processes in the placenta. Hypoxia affects the formation of the embryo, causing irreversible consequences in the brain.

• Bleeding.

Women with placenta previa should be wary of increased uterine tone. Periodic contraction of muscle tissue can cause bleeding.

What can pregnant women do for a cough?

Treatment of cough during pregnancy should begin with a visit to the doctor. The specialist will conduct an examination and determine the main causes of the symptoms. Further tactics will depend on this.

There are several treatment options for airway irritation:

1. medicinal (use of medications aimed at eliminating the cause of cough, and compounds that alleviate it);
2. physiotherapy (massage, inhalations);
3. folk recipes;
4. maintaining favorable environmental conditions.

Many medications are contraindicated for expectant mothers. Only a doctor can prescribe medications, sensibly assessing the likely risks and benefits, taking into account the duration of pregnancy.

Use of medications

Which cough medicines to use for pregnant women depends on the gestational age. For the first trimester, most pharmaceutical products are on the prohibited list. Even herbal remedies, made from natural ingredients, can harm the developing fetus.

At any stage of pregnancy, taking medications must be agreed with your doctor.

Until 12-14 weeks, almost all medicinal substances taken orally penetrate into the fertilized egg.

From the second trimester, this process is prevented by the placenta, so treatment is carried out more boldly.

By the end of the third trimester, doctors also try not to prescribe medications that act for a long time, since labor can begin at any time. Saved in breast milk, the active component of the medicine will not allow you to feed the baby.

First trimester therapy

Cough during early pregnancy often occurs due to a cold. Decreased immunity allows you to quickly catch viral infection. During this period, the use of medications is not recommended, so doctors recommend that women take homeopathic remedies and resort to traditional recipes.

• Oscillococcinum is a granule that is marketed as a remedy for flu and colds for expectant mothers. They should be taken at the first signs of cough, twice a day for three days.
• Aflubin – complex homeopathic medicine, which has anti-inflammatory, detoxification and immunomodulatory effects. Used at the first symptoms of the disease three times a day for 10 days.
• Stodal is a cough syrup that has a symptomatic effect. Apply up to 5 times a day.
• Tonsilgon is a remedy for cough caused by inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Apply up to 6 times a day for at least one week.

For coughs of viral origin and in order to increase the body's resistance, expectant mothers in the first trimester are prescribed immunomodulators: Grippferon, Genferon, Viferon and other safe drugs.

Therapy at a later date

Cough remedies during pregnancy used during extended periods are different from those used in the first trimester.

Now the placenta reliably protects the fetus from negative influences external factors and minimizes the consequences of drug use. Despite this, the expectant mother should not take pharmaceutical products on her own.

Any appointment must be made by a specialist. If, while taking the recommended remedy, a woman feels worse or the medicine does not help within 3-7 days, then it is necessary to consult a doctor again to reconsider the prescription.

For coughs caused by irritation of the larynx, local remedies are used: Tantum Verde, Doctor Mom, Miramistin, Hexoral. The active components of the drugs act directly on the inflamed lesions, practically without being absorbed into the bloodstream, which minimizes the adverse effects of therapy.

Inhalations for cough during pregnancy

A dry cough during pregnancy can be easily relieved with inhalations, which can be cold or hot. The latter are prohibited when the expectant mother’s body temperature rises.

Cold inhalations are carried out using special devices - nebulizers. If you don’t have such a device in your home, then you should think about purchasing one, since small child you will also need it during illness.

• Steam inhalations using potatoes, onions, and garlic warm the respiratory tract, providing an anti-inflammatory effect. The addition of aromatic oils is not encouraged, as some of them can be very dangerous for a woman’s new position. For dry coughs, it is useful to inhale the vapors of honey dissolved in hot water. Soda inhalation will help relieve an attack of dry cough.
• Cold inhalations are performed using a nebulizer. They can be carried out even at elevated body temperatures. By safe means For coughs, use mineral water and saline solution. Alkaline inhalations help during paroxysmal coughs, bronchospasms, and they also help to liquefy difficult-to-separate mucus.
• For a prolonged or complicated cough, doctors prescribe medications for inhalation. To thin and expectorate mucus, ambroxol-based products are used. In the second trimester of pregnancy, Berodual can be used, but only for health reasons. You should not use medications through an inhaler unless your doctor recommends it.

Find out more!

Drinking treatment

What pregnant women can do for a cough is drink plenty of fluids. You can drink whatever you want. The bigger, the better. Traditional remedies used for colds are welcome: decoctions, fruit drinks, teas.

• Figs with milk. Place a few cloves of figs in boiling milk and cook until the drink becomes dark shade. Take half a glass.
• Mix onion with sugar in equal proportions, add a couple of tablespoons of honey. Boil the mixture in a liter of water for three hours. Take a tablespoon.
• Bake black radish with honey, dilute the resulting juice hot water in a ratio of 1 to 10. Drink half a glass before bed.
• Warm milk with butter and honey, taken at night, will help relieve coughing attacks that usually occur during sleep.
• Fruit drinks made from cranberries, lingonberries, with the addition of raspberries will have a softening effect and eliminate pathogenic bacteria.
• Of the herbs, you should prefer chamomile, as others can negatively affect pregnancy.

Even simple water, consumed regularly and in sufficient volume, will bring the recovery stage closer. Drinking plenty of fluids removes toxins from the body, cleanses the larynx of pathogenic fluid, and also helps to liquefy phlegm.

Gargles

Any cough syrup during pregnancy can be supplemented with gargling. This treatment will be more effective. Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial and regenerating compounds are used for rinsing.

Gargles during pregnancy:

• Herbal compositions.

Decoctions of chamomile, eucalyptus, string and other herbs Antibacterial, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, regenerating Not permissible to take orally, suitable only for topical use.

• Medicines.

Lugol's solution, Tantum Verde, Hexoral, Chlorhexidine, Rotocan, Stomatofit Antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, astringent Can only be used as prescribed by a doctor, in a strictly prescribed dose between meals.

• Home Remedies.

Warm water with vinegar, saline solution, soda solution Cleansing, healing, soothing, relieves irritation Can be used at the first sign of a sore throat, no need to get permission from a doctor.

Prohibited methods of treatment

Under no circumstances should expectant mothers use the following cough treatment methods:

1. take hot baths, visit a sauna or steam your feet;
2. install mustard plasters and apply other warming agents;
3. carry out physiotherapy with UHF;
4. self-administer medications, especially antibiotics.

Prohibited medications during the entire period of pregnancy include: Rimantadine, Thermopsol, Terpincode, Bronholitin, ACC Long, as well as many drugs based on herbal substances.

We treat pregnant women – Doctor Komarovsky – Inter

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There is no need to talk about the fact that any painful manifestations during pregnancy become a disaster for the expectant mother. Even a seemingly random and insignificant “sneeze” can alert a pregnant woman and make her worry about whether she has caught something somewhere in the world. public place another virus. Moreover, during pregnancy, a weakened immune system is not fully capable, as it was a few months ago, of providing adequate resistance to pathogenic microorganisms attacking the expectant mother.

One of the most common and, by the way, definitely dangerous conditions for pregnant women is one of varying etiology, strength and quality. By and large, a cough is nothing more than a protective mechanism: the body, with the help of coughing, tries to get rid of microscopic organisms that are dangerous due to their progression. A cough can have completely different origins: by contracting the muscles of the diaphragm, the body can try to fight irritating allergenic substances, respond to the development of a virus or infection, try to give a sign of...

The dangers of coughing during pregnancy

But, no matter what causes a cough during pregnancy, if it suddenly appears and makes itself felt with enviable regularity and pain, you should think about possible methods of treatment and elimination of this unhealthy condition during this period. After all, coughing during pregnancy is not only an unpleasant manifestation, but also quite dangerous for the normal development of pregnancy and the safe development and growth of the fetus.

Thus, a cough, as you can feel, is always accompanied by muscle contraction, which is fraught with the appearance of uterine tone. Moreover, a cough is dangerous in the presence of isthmic-cervical insufficiency or, in later stages, with diagnosed placenta previa. A debilitating cough, in addition, does not allow a woman to breathe normally, thus blocking the supply of oxygen to the fetus. The result may be a disruption of the normal blood supply to the baby, and, as a result, fetal hypoxia.

We should also not forget that, at first, a mild and, by and large, “signal” cough in the early stages, in the absence of proper treatment, can develop into quite serious forms of the disease. For example, an “early” cold, which, among other things, may be indicated by a cough, without timely intervention can develop into serious forms, where, without the help of a doctor and the use of special means not enough. But, as we remember, medications during pregnancy are very unsafe, and some of them are completely prohibited for use during pregnancy.

So what should a expectant mother do if a cough appears, and are there any methods to combat it? Of course there is. And you should tackle the cough “as soon as possible”, after, of course, visiting a doctor and establishing with his participation the origin of the cough. Surely, if the cough is not accompanied by fever and other manifestations accompanying the infectious disease, it is first better to try to eliminate it using safe folk methods that have been tested by time and experience.

Cough during pregnancy: what is prohibited?

Under no circumstances should coughs during pregnancy be treated using the usual “thermal” methods used in any other cases. Mustard plasters, cupping, foot steaming, hot baths - all this is now strictly prohibited. In addition, physiotherapeutic procedures are also undesirable during pregnancy.

Exposure to heat is a direct path to increased blood pressure, which is now strictly contraindicated. But, at the same time, not all procedures involving the “thermal method” should be postponed until better times. Moreover, it is heat, when used correctly, that most often becomes the main weapon in the fight against cough during pregnancy. Namely, warm drinks, the practice of inhalations on a “warm basis” and gargling with warm decoctions and mixtures.

Alternative medicine, namely it becomes the first outpost in the treatment of cough during pregnancy, offers quite a variety of ways to eliminate spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm. Among them are “proper” warm drinks in the form of fruit and berry fruit drinks and warm milk or tea, inhalations, herbal decoctions or infusions and, of course, gargling.

Drinking against cough

Tea, tea and more tea. Black, green, herbal, most importantly - not strong and not very hot. You should always add a slice of lemon and a small amount of honey to tea for treatment: vitamins and warming are provided in this case. In addition, to warm up and strengthen the immune system, you can put ginger in tea: dry ground or in the form of fresh grated ginger.

Warm milk also relieves coughs well: according to one recipe, the drink is prepared by adding honey and soda to milk, another recipe suggests combining milk with sage. The first recipe involves adding 1 teaspoon of honey, a third of a teaspoon of butter and soda in the amount at the tip of a knife to heated milk. The drink should be drunk before going to bed and immediately go to bed. According to another recipe, put 1 tbsp in a glass of milk. spoon of sage herb, boil it all over low heat and let the drink brew for 3-4 hours. The infusion, again, is drunk in the evening, in anticipation of going to bed.

A tasty and healthy drink for a coughing pregnant woman would be a decoction of figs in milk. The healing drink is prepared as follows: 4 pieces of dried figs are poured with 500 ml of milk, and the whole thing is simmered over low heat until the milk acquires a brownish tint. The finished drink is taken 50 ml three times a day.

Another effective “anti-cough” product for pregnant women is onion. Take ½ kg of onion, 2 tbsp. spoons of honey and 400 g of granulated sugar. Pour the mixture into 1 liter of water. Place on the stove, on the burner over low heat. Keep on low heat for 30 minutes. Cool, cool. Let's strain it. We take 1 tbsp. spoon 4-6 times a day for severe cough.

Inhalations against cough

Was it just our imagination, or did you still want to breathe over the potatoes? No? Can't be! And we thought that you asked to boil the potatoes precisely because you wanted to breathe over them! Well, they even poured baking soda on the potatoes! Breathe! Breathe! Boiled potatoes in their jackets, sprinkled with soda, are a time-tested antitussive remedy that has been tested by more than one generation of our ancestors.

In addition to the “classic” breathing over potatoes, you can carry out inhalation procedures using medicinal herbs or aromatic oils. In any case, inhalations are carried out for the sole purpose of warming the airways using medicinal products to cure cough during pregnancy. You can do this by preparing a decoction of 1 type of herb: sage, chamomile, thyme, coltsfoot, juniper twig... Or you can prepare a decoction of several herbs at once.

For example:

• 2 teaspoons of dry crushed eucalyptus leaves, the same amount of chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon of pine needles (in the form you want) and 1 validol tablet (it will be easier to breathe. Place the mixture in 1 liter of previously boiled water.

Cabbage and honey

This is truly a beneficial combination: cabbage and honey! The cost is garbage: for 1 cabbage leaf there is ½ tbsp. l. honey Getting ready for bed, spread honey on a cabbage leaf, lay the leaf with honey towards the body - on chest- cover the top with a warm scarf and go to bed.

Radish and honey

A product proven over generations, tasty, simple, and cheap. All you need is nothing (taking into account, of course, the degree of the disease). Just starting to cough? While walking around the market in the morning, buy radishes and honey, and when you get home, prepare a drink: cut out the core of the radish and put honey in the hole. Leave it overnight: the honey, dissolved in the radish juice, will turn into nectar. Take 1 tsp. up to 6 times a day.

Eliminating cough: gargling during pregnancy

Gargling is a piece of cake, right? All you need for rinsing is chamomile, water and soda. Per 1 liter of water 2 tbsp. spoons of chamomile - boil over low heat for 1 minute. Remove, add 1 tbsp. spoon of salt, cover with a lid and let the broth stand. We gargle with the resulting solution as much as possible during the day with an interval of at least 20 minutes between procedures.

How to treat cough during pregnancy: medications

The use of any synthetic drug must be coordinated with your doctor. In no case do we try to be treated with improvised means, focusing on the advice of friends and girlfriends. Whether it is drugs for dry cough (Stodal, Sinekod), or for wet cough (Bromhexine, Mucaltin, Doctor MOM, Gedelix, Prospan, Chest collection, Gerbion) - treatment with any pharmaceutical product must be authorized by a doctor.

Well, in general, of course, I would like to wish us all not to get sick!

How much does it take for a pregnant woman to catch a cold or catch a virus? Constant trips to the clinic, suppressed immunity and seasonal infections can put you to bed in a couple of minutes. But to recover, you will have to make some efforts. Because the lighter version of treatment with ready-made medications is currently contraindicated for you. There are, of course, some medications that can be used during pregnancy. But this is very undesirable and unsafe. Especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, when any medications may not have the best effect on the development of the fetus.

Treating a cough, like treating a fever, is a troublesome, but necessary task. A debilitating cough not only causes discomfort and pain, but can also be dangerous now. Firstly, it can very quickly develop into more serious forms and diseases, and then you will be forced to undergo treatment that is no longer childish. And you can tell many different horror stories about the dangers of medications during pregnancy. Secondly, muscle tension that occurs with a strong hysterical cough poses a threat if the placenta is low or previa: bleeding may occur.

Therefore, a cough should be treated immediately after it appears, so as not to trigger the disease and prevent complications.

Inhalations for cough during pregnancy

The most effective and effective method Treatments for cough during pregnancy are: If only because acute respiratory infections usually begin with a dry cough, and inhalations help calm it down.

It is ideal to use an inhaler or nebulizer to carry out the procedure, but in the absence of one, you can absolutely successfully cope with improvised means: breathe over the spout of the teapot, paper cone or directly above the pan, covered with something. When coughing during pregnancy, inhalations with boiled potatoes, garlic and onions, and various herbs will be useful. In this case, you should take into account the effect of each individual medicinal plant and the nature of your cough. For dry coughs during pregnancy, choose linden blossom, thyme, chamomile, St. John's wort, plantain, sage, trifoliate, marshmallow for inhalation, and for wet coughs in pregnant women, make decoctions of plantain, knotweed, wild rosemary, coltsfoot herb , string, yarrow, eucalyptus leaf and lingonberry. The same rule applies when preparing herbal teas and mixtures for internal use.

You can also mix several herbs together. Here, for example, are some recipes for inhalations:

• Place 2 teaspoons of crushed eucalyptus leaves, a quarter of a briquette of pine extract, 1 tablet of validol (as a source of menthol) and 1 teaspoon of freshly prepared garlic pulp into freshly boiled water.
• dissolve natural bee honey in hot (about 40 degrees) water in a ratio of 1 part honey to 5 parts water. Inhale alternately through your nose and mouth.
• Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped sage herb into a glass of boiling water and leave covered for 20 minutes.
• Place 2-3 tablespoons of regular baking soda in a liter of boiling water. Soda inhalations relieve spasmodic coughs in bronchitis and bronchial asthma and do not cause allergies.

It has become very widespread lately. They are also good as inhalations for coughs during pregnancy. To do this, pour into a cup hot water, add 3 drops of oil (but it is always recommended to start with 1-2 drops), cover with a towel and breathe in the aromas for 5-7 minutes. After this, lie down to rest. The vapors affect the mucous membrane for another 40-60 minutes after the procedure, so it is better to refuse food during this time, not talk or at least not tear the vocal cords, do not go out into the cold air and do not smoke. These rules, by the way, apply to any inhalation.

At elevated body temperatures, thermal procedures are prohibited. Then you can do cold inhalation: inhale essential oil, applied to a strip of paper, a handkerchief, a clay medallion (no more than 2 drops) or an aroma lamp. Breathing should be deep and calm. You can perfume the pillow with suitable oils (1-2). And, of course, take into account possible allergic reactions. When coughing, it is good to use oils of rose, calamus, rosemary, pine, myrtle, mint, and eucalyptus. Cedarwood, eucalyptus, lavender, lime or rosemary oil will help with bronchitis.

And if you are not very familiar with aromatherapy, use the Zvezdochka balm. Just be careful: you only need a little.

Inhalations can be repeated 3 to 6 times per day, depending on how you feel.

Gargling for coughs

Few people like to gargle, but this method is also suitable when medications are contraindicated, but treatment is needed, and quickly and effectively. Gargling is recommended for sore throats and severe dry coughs during pregnancy to soothe the mucous membranes and alleviate the condition.

The throat should be gargled immediately after eating or between meals. The procedure can be performed up to six times a day. For this, various herbal infusions are used, as well as warm water with soda or apple cider vinegar.

Drinking when coughing during pregnancy

You need to drink a lot, often, warm and specifically for you - non-allergenic drink. All drinks traditionally used during colds and viral diseases will be appropriate: teas, fruit drinks, milk, herbal decoctions. Specifically for coughs, a cocktail of milk and Borjomi has worked well. Warm milk with butter and honey with the addition of soda (on the tip of a knife) is also useful.

When coughing, it is useful to drink birch sap in half with milk and not big amount flour or starch.

Traditional medicine offers many different recipes for treating cough, including all kinds of infusions and decoctions. The same product may not suit two people different people, so you need to try everything. But at the same time, take into account the individual tolerance of the components and possible contraindications. Here are some folk recipes for cough relief.

• Take four dried figs, pour about three glasses of milk and cook until the milk turns brownish. You can drink this delicious medicine hot, half a glass three times a day.
• Grind 500 g of peeled onions, add 2 tablespoons of honey, 400 g of granulated sugar and cook over low heat in 1 liter of water for 3 hours. Then cool and strain. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Take 1 tablespoon warm mixture 4-6 times a day for severe cough.
• If you have a strong cough, take a bottle, fill it with onion pulp, and close it. Cover the entire bottle with dough and place in the oven. As soon as the crust is baked, turn off the oven, wait until it cools, then remove the dough and open the bottle. Even infants can be treated with this remedy by giving them 0.5 teaspoon of the remedy for flu and cough; adults can be given 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day after meals.
• Take 10 onions and 1 garlic, chop finely and cook in unpasteurized milk until the onions and garlic become soft. Add a little juice from fresh grass (or decoction) of ivy budra and honey, stir. Drink 1 tablespoon every 1 hour throughout the day. This mixture promotes expectoration of sputum and softens cough.
• Cut off the white part with roots from two leeks, chop, add 0.5 cups of granulated sugar, 1 cup of water, cook over low heat in a sealed container until the syrup thickens, strain. Take 1 tablespoon every 1.5 hours.
• Chop the white part with the roots of one leek plant, boil in 1 glass of milk, leave, wrapped, for 4 hours, strain and drink 1 tablespoon every 1.5-2 hours when coughing.
• Mix equal parts of peeled hazelnuts and honey. Take 1 teaspoon 4-6 times a day with warm milk.
• Mix honey and horseradish juice in a ratio of 3:1. Take in small portions throughout the day, washed down with tea from red clover flowers (1 teaspoon of flowers per 1 glass of boiling water, leave, wrapped, for 1 hour). Drink 3-4 glasses of this infusion per day.
• Brew 1 liter of boiling water with 400 g of bran, cool, strain and drink hot throughout the day. For taste, you can add burnt sugar (white sugar or honey should not be used in this case).
• Pour 50 g of raisins with 1 cup of boiling water, leave, covered, for 30 minutes, strain, pour 3 tablespoons of onion juice into the infusion, stir. Drink in small sips at once, preferably at night.
• Mix 3 tablespoons of crushed birch buds with 100 g of unsalted butter, put on fire, bring to a boil and simmer over very low heat for 1 hour. Strain, squeeze, discard the kidneys. Add 200 g of boiled honey, mix everything well. Take for cough 4 times a day before meals.
• Rub ripe bananas through a sieve and place them in a saucepan with hot water at the rate of 2 bananas per 1 cup. boiled water with sugar, heat and drink this mixture when coughing.
• Boiled turnip juice with sugar or honey is very useful for cold coughs and chest pain. Mix 1 glass of turnip juice and 1 tablespoon of honey thoroughly, keep on fire until boiling, remove, cool. Drink 3 sips several times a day before meals.
• For a prolonged cough, mix 300 g of honey and 1 kg of finely chopped aloe leaves, add 0.5 liters of water to the mixture, bring to a boil and keep on low heat for 2 hours, stirring. Cool. Store in a cool place for no more than a month. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals.
• Mix the juice from aloe leaves with warm honey and melted butter in equal proportions. Take 1-2 teaspoons 4 times a day before meals for 5 days, then take a break for 5 days.
• Add 2 tablespoons of garlic-honey mixture (1:1) to 100 ml of cucumber juice, stir well, let it brew for 1 hour. Take 2-3 tablespoons 2-3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
• Cut the black radish into small cubes and place in a saucepan, sprinkle with sugar. Bake in the oven for 2 hours, strain and pour the liquid into a bottle. Drink 2 teaspoons 3-4 times a day before meals and at night before bed.
• When treating coughs in children, healer Vanga advised boiling 1 potato, 1 onion and 1 apple in 1 liter of water. Cook until the water is reduced by half. Give this decoction to the child 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon. This product is also suitable for pregnant women.
• Fresh cabbage juice with sugar is useful as an expectorant for cough and hoarseness. A decoction of cabbage with honey works well.
• Pour 1 glass of milk into an enamel pan, put 1 tablespoon of sage herb there, cover with a plate or saucer, boil the mixture over low heat, let cool slightly and strain. Then boil again, covering with a saucer. Drink the decoction hot before bed, being careful of drafts.
• Pour 2 tablespoons of marshmallow root powder into 0.5 liters of water, bring to a boil, cook over low heat in a sealed container for 5 minutes, leave, wrapped, for 2 hours, strain. Use warm to gargle when coughing.
• Pour 1 tablespoon of black currant berries with 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, strain, squeeze. Drink 1 glass 4 times a day before meals and always at night. Currant syrup and juice are useful for coughing and hoarseness.
• Pour 1 tablespoon of thyme herb with 1 glass of boiling water, leave, covered, for 1 hour, strain. Take 1 tablespoon 4 times a day before meals.
• Take 50 g of pine needles, rinse in cold water, crush, pour 1 glass of boiling water, leave, wrapped, for 3 hours, add sugar to taste, strain and immediately drink in small sips. The infusion is especially useful for coughs in early spring.
• Take 1 part each of sage leaf, anise fruit and pine buds, 2 parts each of marshmallow root and licorice root. Brew 1 tablespoon of the mixture in 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain, and drink several times throughout the day.
• Take equal parts of licorice root, marshmallow root, anise fruit and coltsfoot leaf. Brew 1 tablespoon of the mixture in 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain through cheesecloth. Take 0.5 cups 3 times a day after meals.
• Take 1 part of sage leaf, anise fruit, pine buds and 2 parts of licorice root. Brew 1 tablespoon of the mixture in 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain, and drink several times throughout the day.
• Mix equal parts of dried leaves and dried apples cut into slices, seedless raisins, raspberries, rose hips and hawthorn. Brew four tablespoons with two glasses of boiling water and heat for 20 minutes in a water bath over low heat. Leave covered for another 30 minutes and strain. Drink half a glass warm 4 times a day, you can add honey.
• Brew half a glass of dried viburnum fruits with two glasses of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes, strain, add a heaped tablespoon of honey. Drink half a glass 3-4 times a day.
• Mix freshly prepared carrot juice with milk or honey syrup (1 tablespoon of water per 25 grams of water) in a 1:1 ratio. Take 1 tablespoon up to 4-6 times a day. This cocktail must be prepared before use.
• Spread a leaf of fresh cabbage with honey and apply it to your chest. Cover the top terry towel and leave it all overnight. This remedy is very good for treating cough.
• You can also massage using honey. Honey for massage should be slightly warmed. You need to massage exactly the place where mustard plasters are usually placed for two minutes. This procedure should be done at night, for two or three days in a row. This procedure also helps normalize the temperature.

Note: Some doctors recommend it to pregnant women as a treatment for cough. But there is information that it is contraindicated during pregnancy. Firstly, the use of licorice internally can provoke uterine tone. Secondly, this leads to disruption of the water-salt balance and the formation of edema. However, many women successfully use this plant in combination with other herbs.

Medicines for treating cough

If you are too lazy to bother with brewing herbs, and you simply don’t like or don’t like inhalations, you can also resort to pharmacy cough treatment assistants. Some of the medications may also be prescribed to you by your doctor. But if you act as a doctor (an extremely undesirable option, but still quite realistic), consider the following when choosing medications. During pregnancy, cough can be treated only with medications that are approved for use in children under three years of age.

Permitted during pregnancy medicines for cough include, for example, Doctor Mom, Mucaltin, Plantain Syrup, Bronchipret.

Menu for treating cough during pregnancy

It turns out that even with the help of food you can make your life easier during coughing attacks. For example, mashed potatoes prepared with plenty of milk were given to cough patients back in ancient times. This side dish helps relieve bronchospasm, and it’s not difficult to prepare, considering that you are unwell and fiddling around in the kitchen, most likely, there is no special desire. To prepare a healing dish, you just need to boil a few potatoes in a small amount of water, mash them to the consistency of liquid puree along with the broth, 1 teaspoon of butter (preferably ghee), 2 chopped garlic cloves and a small onion. This puree is prepared and eaten hot several times a day. By the way, this excellent remedy treatment of both acute and old chronic cough.

Especially for- Elena Kichak