How a runny nose affects pregnancy. Causes of the common cold in pregnant women. Video: how to properly treat pregnant women

12.04.2019

The body of the expectant mother is going through tangible changes, as a result of which the immunity and protective reactions of the body decrease. One of the unpleasant conditions of the body during this period is a runny nose, which often does not respond to treatment. The problem is aggravated by the fact that it is not always possible to use known drugs, because they can have an adverse effect not only on the fetus, but also on the state of the muscle tone of the uterus. In order to understand how to get rid of a cold, it is important to know the reasons for its appearance at such an inopportune moment and the specific features of the course of a cold.

Runny nose during pregnancy are the most common causes of

Difficulty breathing, nasal congestion, and sneezing can occur for several reasons:

Due to the common cold, after the treatment of which the runny nose often remains almost until the end of pregnancy.
Due to allergic reactions to a specific irritant.
Due to hormonal changes in a woman's body, a specific for this period condition "rhinitis of pregnant women" occurs, which manifests itself as a result of blood flow to the vessels in the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses, which causes relaxation of the smooth muscles of the vessels and the appearance of edema of the nasal mucosa due to sweating of the liquid part of the blood through the vascular wall. The increased blood flow is caused by the hormone estrogen, which is released in large quantities during pregnancy.

In fact, every third woman suffers from a runny nose during the entire period of pregnancy - the risk to the health of the fetus and mother in this case increases, since the violation of the integrity of the vascular wall allows bacteria to enter the weakened body, which can lead to a number of diseases. Do not ignore this condition, because not only a hormone, but also a bacterial or viral infection can become the cause of a cold. In any case, it is important at first to consult your doctor to prescribe the correct treatment within the limits that are acceptable for pregnant women.

Danger of runny nose during pregnancy

The apparent simplicity of the disease (runny nose) can lead to a number of undesirable consequences, untimely treatment or an advanced form of a runny nose before pregnancy can cause complications of the general condition not only in the mother, but also in the unborn child. It is important to remember that mother and child are inextricably linked: any illness of the mother echoes on the baby. What is the danger of a runny nose:

Shortness of breath for the mother can cause fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen).
Breathing through the mouth can lead to inflammation in the nasopharynx or throat, as the air entering through the mouth is not warmed up or humidified.
An infection that caused a runny nose that was not cured in time can cause diseases of the respiratory system, gradually spreading to nearby organs. The worst-case scenario is pneumonia, which takes a long time to treat and take medications that are contraindicated in pregnant women.
A neglected form of the common cold can cause refusal to be placed in the chosen maternity hospital - in order to prevent the possible spread of infection in this case, doctors will recommend taking a separate box or sending the pregnant woman to the observational maternity ward.
Any virus that has settled in the body of the expectant mother, one way or another, affects the fetus, especially in the early stages of the formation of the unborn baby - in the future, the child may experience congenital pathologies.

Treatment of a common cold during pregnancy

It is worth starting the treatment of a common cold with a visit to the attending physician, who will advise the safest drugs that do not affect the normal course of pregnancy. The very first remedy that pregnant women resort to during a cold is vasoconstrictor drops, aimed at getting rid of nasal congestion and mucus secretion. Although the remedies are quite effective, most of them do not cure the cause of the common cold, and even more so, prolonged use leads to dryness of the nasal mucosa, high blood pressure, habituation of the body to the active substance and, most importantly, to a sharp narrowing of the vessels of the uterus and placenta, which in turn will lead to to fetal hypoxia. In addition, after the effect of the drug wears off, the swelling becomes even greater, which provokes the constant use of funds. For safety, doctors recommend using vasoconstrictor drugs for no more than three days in a row and only before bedtime, no more than 1 time per day.

Natural oil-based preparations will be a good alternative - they do not so effectively relieve the effects of a cold, but they do not act so aggressively on the body. In addition, it is recommended to rinse the nasal passages and sinuses with a salt solution at least three times a day, and the addition of some herbs that have an antiseptic effect effectively cope with inflammation. You can also turn to heating with salt, boiled egg or buckwheat.

How to treat a runny nose during pregnancy?

For the safe treatment of sinus inflammation, the following remedies are suitable:

Vasoconstrictor drugs. The most popular synthetic drugs: Naphtizin, Galazolin, Nazik-spray - their use has a number of unpleasant consequences, especially with frequent use. Vibrocil nose drops, which have a decongestant effect, do not cause a sharp narrowing of blood vessels, so their use is safe. Among drops and sprays of natural origin, Pinosol is popular, as well as other homeopathic remedies: Evamenol ointment, Eufobrium Compositum spray. For those who do not accept medications, drops made by themselves from mixtures of herbs, fruits and other natural products may be suitable.
Correct fluid intake during this period is also necessary, as during other diseases, because the body with mucus loses about 2.5 liters of fluid per day. It is recommended to use ordinary mineral water, tea with lemon, fruit drinks, decoctions and infusions.

Procedures for treating a cold during pregnancy

A number of additional procedures for the treatment of a common cold will effectively get rid of it, moreover, their use has no direct effect on the developing fetus.

Inhalation has proven to be an effective and safe way to treat the common cold. For example, inhalation over a decoction of sage, thyme or calendula herbs reduces mucus and moisturizes the sinuses. For inhalation, you can use special preparations or breathe in the traditional way over a container filled with hot broth or infusion.
Warming up with salt was mentioned above, it is also recommended to warm up the nose with blue lamps, having previously protected the eyes.
Acupressure massage in the area of \u200b\u200bthe nasal sinuses can also be life-saving - in this case, it is important to press the points correctly.
Rinsing and moisturizing the nose. For washing, both saline solutions and freshly squeezed juice of plants with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral effects (onions, garlic) are suitable. The usual ventilation of the room and humidification of the air also helps - if the house does not have a climate control system, it is recommended to place containers with water throughout the apartment.

Folk remedies for the treatment of the common cold during pregnancy

Before preparing the next life-saving remedy, it is important to consult with your doctor about possible side effects, since herbs also have contraindications for use. Several recipes for the treatment of a common cold:

You can prepare nasal drops using a teaspoon of tea steamed with a glass of boiling water. This infusion must be evaporated over a fire for 15 minutes and a little (1/2 teaspoon) of baking soda must be added to the strained broth. You need to use the resulting solution 2-3 times a day, instill 5-8 drops in each nostril.
For inhalation, a mixture of chopped onions and garlic steamed in boiling water in a kettle is suitable. In this case, you need to breathe alternately with each nostril. An alternative would be menthol oil and herbal preparations; to obtain a result, it is necessary to inhale for up to 5 minutes, 3-4 times a day.
To rinse the nose, it is necessary to take equal parts of licorice, mountaineer rhizomes, clover and calendula inflorescences, plantain and sage leaves, mix in a container and pour a glass of boiled hot water. Put the container on fire and bring to a boil, wait about 2 hours for the broth to infuse. After straining the infused broth, you can rinse your nose with a syringe about 5 times a day.

Despite the fact that the condition of a pregnant woman is quite fragile and many drugs are contraindicated, with the right approach and following the doctor's recommendations, you can get rid of a runny nose at any period of pregnancy. Before choosing a remedy on your own, it is worth stopping and thinking about how its use will affect not only the mother's body, but also the unborn baby.

The onset of the desired pregnancy is always a joyful event, because from the moment when the test showed the cherished two strips, a woman feels great responsibility not only for her health, but also for the life of her future baby. An ordinary cold can darken a joyful event at any stage of pregnancy, which, unfortunately, every second expectant mother is sick with. Due to hormonal changes that occur from the moment of conception of a child, a woman's body becomes more vulnerable to various viruses, bacteria and allergens.

The reason for this condition is considered to be a decrease in immunity, which is the norm and makes it possible to exclude spontaneous abortions. Temporary immunodeficiency often causes a runny nose and other catarrhal symptoms that are not as dangerous for an ordinary person as for pregnant women. The difficulty in treating a cold in pregnant women lies in the fact that almost all drugs are contraindicated, and the only way to overcome a cold is the use of traditional medicine recipes, which does not always work or only allows you to reduce the symptoms of the disease. It is not so easy to protect yourself from colds, since viral infections are more often transmitted by airborne droplets, but you can reduce the risk of their occurrence. For this, it is important not only to know the reasons, but whether a runny nose is dangerous during pregnancy, as well as how to overcome its symptoms and protect against complications!

Pinosol.

Euphorbium compositum in the form of a spray;

Dolphin.

Delufen.

Vibrocil.

You can use nasal preparations for no more than 3 to 5 days. In addition, you need to monitor the air in the room, ventilate the room daily, and do wet cleaning. In order for the symptoms of a cold to go away faster, you will need a lot of abundant drink, as well as bed rest in the first days of the illness. Nasal massage or inhalation can be an auxiliary method of treating a common cold, if there are no contraindications to them.

Despite the standard methods of treating a common cold during pregnancy, it is very important to determine its nature. In some cases, it may be necessary to take stronger medications, including antibiotics, but only a doctor can decide on their prescription.
Prevention of a common cold during pregnancy
Having information about the danger of a runny nose during pregnancy, every woman will be more attentive to her health, observe preventive measures that cannot 100% exclude its occurrence, but still significantly reduce the risk of its development:
During the cold season, walks in the fresh air should be carried out in a medical mask.

Avoid crowded places.

Wash your hands regularly.

Once a day, rinse the nose with a decoction of herbs or saline.

Ventilate the room daily, carry out wet cleaning.

Correct and healthy diet with sufficient vitamin content.

Refusal of self-medication at the first sign of a cold.

During pregnancy, a woman should know what is useful and what is harmful for her and her unborn baby, create all conditions that will help to minimize all risks of getting sick with any disease. If, nevertheless, it did not work to protect yourself from a cold, a runny nose, nasal congestion appeared, you need to act immediately, using only proven and safe medicines for this.

All 9 months of pregnancy, a woman tries to protect her body from dangerous viruses and bacteria. But, unfortunately, the already weakened immune system, it is not at all easy to resist pathogens. A cold during pregnancy can not only cause a lot of trouble for the woman herself, but also cause serious damage to the fetus.

How to recognize a cold during pregnancy

It will not be difficult to guess that a woman is sick. Signs of a cold in an interesting position are no different from a common cold. So, there are:

weakness;
dizziness;
muscle aches;
loss of appetite;
runny nose;
temperature rise up to 38 degrees;
sore throat.

In some cases, after a sharp deterioration in the general condition, blistering rashes on the lip may appear. This indicates the defeat of the herpes virus, which also cannot be ignored.

If you do not start the timely treatment of colds, then serious complications in the form of bronchitis or pharyngitis are possible.

When the first signs of a disease appear, you should immediately contact a specialist in order to exclude other diseases with similar symptoms.

What determines the degree of danger of exposure to the fetus

The question of what will happen to the child if a pregnant woman has a cold worries absolutely every woman. When answering it, experts recommend taking into account many factors, for example:

gestational age;
the severity of the course of the disease;
how timely the treatment was started;
the body's ability to resist disease.

Depending on this, one can judge how seriously children's health will be affected and whether it will be affected at all.

If timely treatment is not started with the disease, then in most cases, antibiotics will have to be used to improve the condition, which is extremely undesirable for a pregnant woman.

It should be understood that a healthy body, which is regularly maintained in good shape, is not only less prone to infection, but is also able to recover faster from an illness.

The consequences of the disease in the early stages

The first 12 weeks in the body are dramatic changes, the woman is most prone to disease. This is due to the fact that the introduction of new life is perceived by the organism as an alien object. Immunity is rather weak, and the embryo is still too weak to resist viruses and bacteria.

Colds in the first trimester of pregnancy can be severe:

abortion;
development of serious fetal malformations;
the birth of a baby with weak immunity.

A sharp and strong rise in temperature is especially dangerous. So, for example, a mark of 37 degrees can be considered a relative norm during the period of bearing a baby. This is due to hormonal changes and the active progesterone phase. But an increase in body temperature over 38 degrees can cause severe bleeding, which poses a direct threat to the life of the fetus.

Illness in the second trimester: how it threatens

There is a general consensus that the period from 13 to 24 weeks is the safest for the baby. At this time, the main organs have already been formed and continue to strengthen. But at the same time, the nervous system gets under attack, which even at this stage is still too vulnerable.

Among the main factors why a cold is dangerous in the 2nd trimester, it should be noted:

placental insufficiency;
the birth of a premature baby;
underweight baby at birth.

When cold symptoms appear, it is important to carefully examine the woman. The appearance of a small rash may indicate the presence of the rubella virus in the body, which jeopardizes the preservation of pregnancy.

In severe cases, the risk of miscarriage or fetal death remains.

The risk of infection at a later date

In the third trimester, the final stage of the intrauterine development of the baby is taking place. At this time, the disease can provoke the onset of labor ahead of schedule. The rise in temperature also remains very dangerous. A cold without fever also requires close attention and the adoption of adequate measures to eliminate it.

There is a high risk that the baby will be infected from the mother immediately after birth. It is extremely difficult for a newborn to endure any virus attacks, so it will be extremely difficult to resist them.

It is necessary to start treatment when the very first signs of the disease appear. Then there is a chance to minimize undesirable consequences.

Speaking about how a cold disease affects the fetus in the 3rd trimester, it should be noted that this period is already quite difficult for a woman. The grown fetus seriously disrupts the work of all organs and systems of the expectant mother. Therefore, even a minor infection will be accompanied by increased symptoms.

Is it possible to use drugs in the fight against colds

The achievements of modern medicine have reached the point that today you can buy various anti-cold drugs that are allowed to be used even by women in an interesting position.

Any medicine should only be used after a doctor's prescription. In this case, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations for dosage and method of administration received. The same goes for traditional medicine. Even herbal preparations cannot be drunk simply without an appointment. Some plants can seriously harm a growing body and even cause malformations.

What a pregnant woman can do with a cold will depend on the symptoms she has. So, the most popular means in the fight against the disease can be designated:

Otsilokoktsinunum. The drug of the homeopathic group. Helps to increase the body's defenses and speed up recovery.
Aquamaris. Safe seawater-based remedy for rhinitis. Vasoconstrictor drugs are prohibited, since they can affect the functioning of the fetal cardiovascular system.
Mukaltin or marshmallow root. These are similar products based on the same ingredient. Often used to dilute sputum in the respiratory tract as soon as possible. It is strictly prohibited in conjunction with antitussives.
Miramistin. It is a universal antiseptic that fights the most popular viruses, bacteria and fungi. It has a local effect, therefore it does not enter the general bloodstream and does not in any way affect the development of the baby in the womb.

Along with commercial drugs, it is allowed to use medicinal plants such as:

chamomile;
calendula;
sage;
rosehip;
linden.

But even their reception must be coordinated with the attending physician.

How to prevent an illness: effective prevention methods

Maintaining the body's defenses for a pregnant life is essential. After all, any disease is easier to prevent than to cure later. To make it easier to resist viruses and bacteria, you must first of all follow 3 main rules:

Normalization of the daily routine.
Healthy sleep.
Proper nutrition.

Getting enough sleep and rest will replenish vitality. The minimum amount for a woman to sleep in the position should be 8 hours. At the same time, one should not forget about physical activity. Special exercises for pregnant women will help prepare for the upcoming birth and improve overall well-being.

If it is not possible to enroll in courses, walking will be sufficient. You need to walk every day for 1-2 hours. During walks, the blood supply improves and the baby receives more oxygen, which contributes to the correct growth and development of the embryo.

The nutrition of a pregnant woman should be varied and high in calories. The diet must include foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Onions, garlic, citrus fruits, rose hips will have a good effect.

The daily diet of a pregnant woman must be discussed with a doctor in order to exclude allergic reactions.

A stuffy nose always causes a lot of inconvenience to the expectant mother. Moreover, depending on the etiology, a runny nose during pregnancy can have adverse consequences. In this article we will talk about what threatens a runny nose during pregnancy for both the girl herself and the unborn child.

As you know, during pregnancy, all seemingly insignificant diseases can cause undesirable consequences. Therefore, even a runny nose in a future mother should definitely alert both herself and the attending physician. After diagnosing the causes of the disease, the specialist must draw up a treatment regimen for the common cold, which mainly consists of non-drug methods. Most nasal drops during this period are contraindicated, since they have a vasoconstrictor effect.

Nevertheless, treatment may be required even if vasomotor rhinitis is diagnosed - a runny nose of pregnant women that appears as a result of a change in hormonal levels. Usually, he does not require special treatment with medications. However, if a stuffy nose is uncomfortable, then it is imperative to treat such a runny nose during pregnancy. Why is this case dangerous? It becomes difficult for the expectant mother to breathe, and oxygen deprivation occurs in the fetus and hypoxia develops. The placenta ceases to properly perform its functions, and this can lead to the most dangerous consequences up to a miscarriage.

Of course, this rarely happens during pregnancy and a runny nose. The consequences are usually milder and more often affect the girl herself. So, if your nose is constantly stuffed up and you breathe through your mouth, then there is a high probability of catching the virus. The immunity of the expectant mother usually decreases during pregnancy, and if you do not monitor your health, then colds will not keep you waiting. In addition, you need to know how a runny nose affects pregnancy, if it has a viral etiology.

Untreated rhinitis can travel down the airways, causing pneumonia or bronchitis. Therefore, if, in addition to a runny nose, you have other signs of a viral disease (cough, sore throat, fever), see your doctor right away.

In the absence of due attention to nasal congestion, the girl runs the risk of getting a chronic runny nose, which is extremely difficult to cure while waiting for the baby due to the restriction in the choice of medicines. A runny nose in late pregnancy can develop due to gestosis, which has very adverse consequences for the health and life of the mother and child. Such manifestations require compulsory treatment.

Runny nose in early pregnancy

A runny nose in the first weeks of pregnancy usually occurs due to a change in the girl's hormonal background. The hormones progesterone and estrogen, the content of which in the blood increases several times, cause swelling of the nasal mucosa. This is called vasomotor rhinitis and does not require treatment. It may be necessary to relieve nasal breathing with rinsing, warming and, in extreme cases, medications.

The danger is a runny nose in the early days of pregnancy, caused by a viral nature. It is no secret that in the first months all the main organs and systems of the child are laid. The slightest infection or virus in the girl's body can cause a malfunction, due to which pathologies of the baby's internal organs will arise. With a severe viral illness with a high fever, there is a high risk of serious complications and even miscarriage. Therefore, if a runny nose appears at the beginning of pregnancy, you must definitely see a therapist or otolaryngologist in order to find out exactly the cause of rhinitis.

A nasal congestion can appear in a pregnant woman periodically during the period of bearing the baby. And it also happens that a woman is constantly experiencing difficulty breathing due to a cold. In this case, rhinitis appears not due to an infectious disease, but "due" to hormonal changes. This condition is often called "runny nose".

Types of rhinitis in pregnant women

Often, expectant mothers are also faced with allergic types of rhinitis. Nasal congestion is most common with seasonal allergies. But no matter what nature rhinitis has - infectious, hormonal or allergic, it must be remembered that a runny nose does not pose a particular threat. But the lack of oxygen can be harmful. Therefore, it is imperative that you consult with your pregnancy doctor.

A runny nose is often a symptom of a viral infection that can harm your baby in the first trimester. It is important to identify the cause of rhinitis as soon as possible in order to neutralize the infection, to choose a treatment regimen. The question is complicated by the fact that it is not easy to find drugs that are safe for the fetus.

Traditionally, vasoconstrictor drugs are used to treat the common cold. But it is impossible to choose such drops for a pregnant woman - regardless of the period, because they contain components that negatively affect development. Therefore, during the time, doctors usually prescribe homeopathic remedies or relatively harmless saline solutions to reduce mucosal edema.

How else is a runny nose treated during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, you can and should use folk remedies, but for their use it is advisable to consult a doctor. So, the expectant mother can alleviate the condition with the help. To do this, you need to select essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the mucous membrane of the nose, for example, eucalyptus oil. It is convenient to do inhalation when the air humidifier is on.

During pregnancy, it is also necessary to consume more liquids with vitamin C. This can be lemon tea, citrus juices, rosehip decoction. However, when choosing this method of treating a cold, consider the possibility of allergies and strictly follow the instructions when brewing herbal tea. Some of them are capable of provoking bleeding.

A nose massage will help relieve a runny nose. To carry it out, it is necessary to pointwise massage the area above the upper, the wings of the nose. It is also worth practicing breathing exercises - with prolonged inhalations, exhalations for 5-10 minutes every hour.