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What to take for a cough during pregnancy. How to treat a cough during pregnancy: effective methods and recipes for a quick fight against the disease

Pregnancy is a significant and joyful event in every family. The expectant mother wants to save the baby, no matter how many days or weeks he is, from all the troubles of life. However, you cannot protect yourself from everything. A moment may come when the calm and peaceful life of the expectant mother will be disturbed by some kind of disease. The most common unpleasant symptom is coughing. Let's see how you can and cannot treat a cough during pregnancy.

The problem with this symptom is that it can talk about a dozen different diseases. In most cases, treatment with classical pharmaceuticals becomes impossible due to contraindications.

Cough is a reflex reaction of the body that occurs when it is necessary to free the respiratory tract from foreign objects. It can be phlegm, fine dust, some kind of allergen. In the process of one coughing act, dozens of muscles take part throughout the body - these are the muscles that support the airways and abdominal muscles. Therefore, it often becomes unclear how to treat a wet cough during pregnancy if the usual treatment is to stimulate a wet cough, and the cough itself is dangerous.

For a pregnant woman's body, a strong cough is a tremendous burden. Even more so for the fetus. Cough is especially dangerous c. At this stage, the formation and strengthening of the fetus on the walls of the uterus occurs.

And the danger here is twofold - on the one hand, the cough is caused by the ingress of an infectious agent or allergen, which in itself is harmful to the baby's body. On the other hand, such a powerful muscle contraction necessarily affects the position, well-being and formation of the fetus in the mother's body.

It is important to understand how and how to treat a cough during pregnancy in order to prevent complications.

A strong and prolonged cough at different stages of pregnancy can provoke certain syndromes in the fetus, and subsequently in the child:

  1. Fetal hypoxia - lack of oxygen entering the fetus with the mother's blood. As a result, circulatory disorders occur and the developing organs of the child do not receive a sufficient amount of blood supplied with oxygen.
  2. Bleeding - it so happens that a pregnant woman has a low placenta and contractions of the abdominal wall muscles that occur when coughing, provoke an increase in vascular tone, blood vessels can burst and severe uterine bleeding can develop, which is dangerous for the fact of pregnancy itself in the early stages.
  3. Reflex increase in the tone of the uterus, as a result - miscarriage ... This complication threatens a pregnant woman in the first trimester. When the fetus is poorly attached to the wall of the uterus, and the coughing attacks are long and strong, over time, the deep muscles of the pelvic organs are connected to the reflex cough. Strong contractions of the uterus can provoke a miscarriage.

As you can see, even the most common cough can pose a serious danger both to the health of the mother and to the life of the unborn baby. Therefore, at the very first signs of a respiratory illness, sore throat, slight coughing or runny nose, a pregnant woman must consult a doctor and, together with him, carefully select methods for treating cough during pregnancy. It is important to remember that her health no longer belongs to her alone.

Specificity of cough treatment

Each period of pregnancy has its own characteristics. Also, each method of treatment in these periods has its own specificity. You need to understand that it will not always be possible to avoid drug treatment. Folk remedies do not work in all cases and not for all diseases. But every expectant mother needs to know the drugs and natural methods of dealing with coughs.

The most important thing is to remember the principle: you cannot use what you would not give to a newborn baby.

Features of the first trimester

The first trimester of pregnancy is the period when the neural tube, the makings of the spine, is formed. In the same period, the organisms of the mother and the fetus are most sensitive to all chemical influences.

For this reason, almost all drug interventions are contraindicated for pregnant women in the first trimester. In medicine, there is even a separate group of diseases caused by the influence of drugs - iatrogenic.

Before treating a cough in early pregnancy, you need to determine its cause. Sometimes this can be done by the woman herself, but in most cases the help of a doctor is needed.

A cough can be caused by one or more of the following:

  • allergy - the allergen enters the respiratory tract along with the air, settles on the mucous membrane and causes irritation, which entails a reflex cough;
  • respiratory diseases of a viral or bacterial nature;
  • hypothermia of the respiratory tract.
  • the consequences of bad habits (smoking);
  • intense excitement, stress can also cause coughing.

Once the cause is found, you can begin treatment. There are many safe ways to treat a pregnancy cough. For example, at the very beginning of the disease, you can try to eliminate the cough in the simplest known ways. One such method is with a little soda salt.

The alkaline environment perfectly moisturizes the respiratory tract and removes phlegm. It is also important not to forget that a sufficient amount of warm liquid must enter the body. This will help both bring down the temperature, if any, and remove allergens from the body.

If the cough continues and the general state of health does not get better, you need to see a doctor. After examining and listening to the lungs, the doctor will prescribe treatment. Among the drugs that are acceptable for the treatment of cough in the first trimester, all herbal preparations are in the first place.

Good old Mukaltin, herbal decoction syrups and herbal decoctions themselves (breast collection). In special cases, the doctor may prescribe pills such as Libexin. However, the independent use of such medicines is unacceptable. In any case, the specialist knows best how to treat a cough during pregnancy in the 1st trimester.

Second trimester treatment

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the fetus has a natural defense that greatly expands the possibilities of cough treatment. The fruit itself is already more formed and well-formed, but it is still extremely sensitive.

It is possible to use antiallergic drugs in the form of Suprastin or Azelastin if the cough is of an allergic nature. However, their use is justified only with an adequate assessment of the risk-benefit.

Also, a cough can be caused by colds, bronchitis and even pneumonia. In this case, in addition to anti-cough drugs, antiviral and antibacterial drugs are also prescribed.

For the treatment of cough during pregnancy, the 2nd trimester is more comfortable than the first. It is possible to choose the most effective drug available:

  • plant-based syrups (Altea, Pertusin, Gerbion);
  • syrups containing codeine (Sinekod) - apply after a doctor's prescription;
  • tablets Mukaltin, Bronchipret.

No less relevant is the treatment of cough during pregnancy with folk remedies - teas with raspberries and honey, warm milk, herbal decoctions.

But soaring your feet, taking hot baths or putting on mustard plasters is not worth it - this can cause bleeding and a pregnancy failure.

The specifics of the third trimester

The features of therapy in the third trimester are not much different from the second. Usually, at this stage of ripening, the fetus grows, forms and improves the functions of organs. The fetus is able to resist harmful influences from the outside due to the protective mechanisms of the mother. But the question remains: if a cough occurs during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester - how to treat it?

The peculiarity of the period, why it is considered separately, is that it is a natural process of preparation for birth. It becomes more permeable to bacteria and viruses. At earlier stages, the fetus does not have the opportunity to become infected, but foreign, foreign substances that the mother can "supply" to the body may well penetrate through the placenta to the fetus.

The special period of the third trimester is 37–38 weeks. During this period of pregnancy, infection can enter the amniotic fluid, which is often swallowed by the fetus.

You can use herbal preparations based on primrose, marshmallow, plantain, coltsfoot, Mukaltin and Stoptussin tablets. You can even take Ambroxol syrup as directed by your doctor in a therapeutic dose.

Also, traditional medicine remains in force, but it is worthwhile to select herbal ingredients with caution, excluding those that increase the tone of the uterus. Otherwise, pathological premature birth is possible.

Features of the treatment of dry and wet cough

Both doctors and TV advertisements unanimously insist that dry and wet coughs have different causes. A dry cough is the result of irritation or a violation of nervous activity and is not always associated with the presence of phlegm in the bronchi or upper respiratory tract. Therefore, they approach the treatment of dry and wet coughs in different ways.

When wondering how to treat a severe cough during pregnancy, you need to assess the risks. Early terms exclude self-medication and require careful and highly individual selection of drugs for treatment, because, as mentioned earlier, there is a risk of miscarriage as a result of strong contractions of the abdominal muscles. Therefore, the treatment of cough during pregnancy, drugs include herbal (Gerbion, Gedelix) and sparing traditional medicine.

In the later stages, caution remains a priority, however, the range of medicines is wider - it is already possible to use various synthetic agents - Sinekod, Stoptussin. They act on the respiratory center in the brain, and the cough goes away faster.

Treatment for a wet cough during pregnancy also has its own nuances. First of all, it should be aimed at gentle excretion of sputum. It can be dangerous to induce a cough. Here it is also worth giving preference to herbal medicines and Mukaltin.

Inappropriate drugs

As stated earlier, pregnancy is a contraindication for most popular drugs. But in addition to drugs not recommended for appointment to women in position, there are contraindications:

  • Glycodine and Codelac and all other drugs containing a high dose of codeine;
  • Bronholitin, ACC - stimulates a wet cough and, as a result, causes contraction of the muscles of the abdominal wall;
  • Ascoril - has a rather aggressive composition that penetrates the placental barrier;
  • Thermopsis - dangerous by strong contractions of the uterus.

These and drugs similar in composition and properties are dangerous for both the mother and the fetus.

Coughing at different stages of pregnancy is an equally dangerous phenomenon. Therefore, it is very important to seek help in a timely manner and learn how to treat a wet cough during pregnancy and how to calm a dry cough. Responsibility and caution are the main conditions for effective treatment of any painful condition that arises in the process of bearing a child.

Useful video about the features of medication treatment during pregnancy

A cough for all patients is a lot of trouble and is quite difficult to treat, but a dry cough during pregnancy is just an emergency, since you are not allowed to take potent medications, and herbs and warm tea seem to bring relief, but for a short time.

But getting rid of the unpleasant symptom is imperative, because coughing fits can even provoke you bleeding or miscarriage.

Causes of cough during pregnancy

You know that before starting treatment for a cough during pregnancy, it would not be superfluous to figure out what is the cause of your ailment. A cough is just your body's response to an irritant or certain condition. But to understand what provoked this reaction is your main task.

  1. If we recall the omniscient Komarovsky, who calls the dry air in the room the cause of all diseases, then it is quite possible that your cough is caused precisely by insufficient humidity and lack of ventilation. In this case, walking in the fresh air, wet cleaning and periodic opening of the window will help get rid of the problem;
  2. Another possible cause is allergic rhinitis that turns into cough. Even if you did not notice allergic sneezes before pregnancy, now the immune system is not so strong, and household dust, and it is simply not realistic to get rid of it completely, or the fur of your beloved Murka will bring you a persistent, dry cough;
  3. You, of course, have left all bad habits, including smoking, in the past, so this point is for you, so to speak, for informational purposes. Smoking is a likely cause of coughing during pregnancy, this addiction should be abandoned immediately;
  4. If, in addition to coughing, you have a fever, a profuse runny nose, redness of the throat, then we will talk about a viral or bacterial infection that requires special treatment (read the article to find out how to treat a cold during pregnancy >>>);
  5. A dry cough during pregnancy can appear after a long walk in the frosty air, especially if you are actively breathing through your mouth;
  6. But the next reason is rather psychological. You can get a cough from stress and anxiety, especially in the last weeks of pregnancy, so to speak, on the eve of the unknown.

If you figured out the reasons, it's time to find out why a cough is dangerous in your position.

Danger of coughing

Uncontrolled seizures, in which all muscles contract, can seriously harm your baby.

  • If you get sick in the first weeks, when life is just beginning inside you, coughing fits can provoke bleeding and even a miscarriage;
  • Strong and prolonged bouts of coughing can provoke bleeding, in this case, the muscle load cannot withstand the vessels and burst;
  • When it comes to an infectious disease and concomitant cough, the danger is already in the very word infection, which affects the intrauterine development of the baby.
  • Cough refers to bronchopulmonary diseases, there is a concomitant symptom of oxygen starvation, which cannot but affect your child. The baby also experiences the same lack of oxygen, there is a risk of fetal hypoxia, disruption of the circulatory system, followed by disorders in the development of all organs (to find out how the child develops, read the article Child development in the womb >>>);
  • In the case of the allergic nature of cough, there is a risk of asthmatic dyspnea, and this is still oxygen starvation.

The consequences are dangerous, so your main task is to prevent the onset of coughing during pregnancy in general, if you have not coped with it - to find out how to cure a cough in pregnant women as soon as possible.

Dry cough: treatment

The treatment plan and remedies depend entirely on the length of your pregnancy. It is clear that the child is at different stages of development, and the same drug may be on the green list at the end of pregnancy, while in the first weeks it will be strictly prohibited.

You can hear the advice of experienced mothers that you can take all the medicines that are permissible for an infant. This is not true. For example, bromhexine, which is advised to be taken by babies from birth, does not treat coughs during early pregnancy. The reason is the risk of developing internal pathologies and the lack of necessary research.

1 trimester

If your problem is a cough during pregnancy in the 1st trimester, than treatment becomes the second problematic moment. Most of the drugs that can be used even by infants are not desirable, or even contraindicated in the first weeks.

Some can negatively affect the development of the fetus, while others can cause bleeding or tone the uterus, or even cause premature birth. But cough cannot be ignored. What to do?

  1. Return to Komarovsky's recommendations, and begin to ventilate and humidify the room, as well as take a walk in the fresh air;
  2. Another tip - you need as much warm drink as possible;
  3. If the cough is allergic, you should rinse your nose abundantly with saline, you can use saline, as an option - inhalation with "Borjomi" or sea salt solution;
  4. Of the medicines, you can only use those that contain natural herbal ingredients. One of these - Mukaltin, you probably know from childhood;
  5. Traditional medicine recipes will also come to the rescue. An interesting option is a glass of hot milk with half a crushed banana;
  6. You can use a chest herbal collection. In the 1st trimester, herbs such as chamomile, string are allowed;
  7. Cabbage leaf with honey as a chest compress is another cough treatment option.

If the cough does not go away for a long time and is accompanied by a high fever, you definitely need a specialist examination.

2 trimester

In terms of morbidity, the second trimester should be quieter.

  • Your immune system has already tuned in to the right mood, the hormones have also calmed down, and the cough during pregnancy is often allergic in nature, which means that it is treated with antihistamines Suprastin, Azelastin and rinsing the nasopharynx with a saline solution of our own preparation or ready-made No-salt, Aquamaris, Pshik;
  • The disease cannot be ignored at 14, 16 and 17 weeks of pregnancy - during this period, the risk of developing fetal hypoxia is very high. Start treatment with the first signs of the disease;
  • The recommendation for a plentiful warm drink remains valid, you can add honey, raspberries, black currants to the tea. To find out what you can and cannot eat during pregnancy, pay attention to our course Secrets of proper nutrition for a future mother >>>;
  • Taking medications at this stage is safer, since the placenta powerfully protects your baby from both viruses and harmful substances. In addition to the herbal preparation Mukaltin, which is allowed in the 1st trimester, you can use Alteika, Pertusin, Gerbion, Bronchipret. So the problem of coughing in the 2nd trimester and how to treat it is no longer so insoluble (and about how the baby develops and what changes occur in the mother's body during this period, learn from the article 2 trimester of pregnancy >>>);
  • Green light is obtained by drugs with the main substance codeine, for example, Sinekod and its cheaper analogue Bronholitin, but since all drug studies were carried out not on humans, but on animals, this drug is considered conditionally safe and is permissible only from the 14th week of pregnancy. One of the side effects is dizziness, so after taking the drug, you better lie down and rest;
  • Herbal tea is an excellent remedy, everything is also suitable, a series, chamomile (read the current article: Herbal tea during pregnancy >>>).

Again, at a high temperature, which lasts for several days, you cannot do without the help of specialists.

3 trimester

Questions of how to overcome a cough during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester, and how to treat it, are no longer so problematic. The placenta protects the baby well, the main internal organs are formed, and everything would be fine if it were not for the aging of the placenta by the end of your pregnancy.

After about 37-38 weeks, viruses that enter your body penetrate the placenta, and already there enter the amniotic fluid, the child can swallow this water and thus become infected. If you fall ill during this period, then it is imperative to carry out full treatment with approved drugs. What can you take?

  1. Herbal preparations are Mukaltin, Stopussin, Alteika, Pertusin;
  2. You can take the potent drug Ambroxol or its analogue Lazolvan. By the way, this drug has another advantage - it is prescribed when there is a threat of premature birth;
  3. Herbal teas, the list is unchanged: chamomile, string;
  4. An abundant warm drink with honey or raspberries (about whether it is possible for pregnant women to read honey in the article Honey during pregnancy >>>);
  5. Folk remedies for coughs during pregnancy will also help in the form of warming cakes on the chest, for example, from potatoes with the addition of honey and vegetable oil;
  6. An unexpected option than to treat a cough during pregnancy is breathing exercises. Three approaches, the first - a long inhalation and three short exhales, the second - short inhalation and exhalation, then - one long inhalation and 4 short exhalation.

Note that the options for treating a dry cough during pregnancy differ significantly from those for a wet cough. The nature of the disease is different, and other medicines are needed.

Moist cough during pregnancy

Sputum is abundantly formed during allergic reactions, after sinusitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The main task of your treatment is to thin and easily remove mucus from the body.

  • Inhalation with succession, wild rosemary, yarrow, easily remove phlegm without provoking a cough;
  • From the second trimester, you can use Ambroxol, both in the form of a syrup and as a solution for a nebulizer;
  • Again, from the second trimester, you can Bromhexine, which removes, dilutes phlegm, while eliminating coughing fits;
  • An ideal option than to treat a cough during pregnancy is herbal preparations. One of them is licorice syrup. Additional action - antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating;
  • Drinking plenty of fluids in the case of a wet cough is a mandatory component of treatment;
  • The mucus must be spit out and not swallowed;
  • For a wet cough, codeine-based drugs such as Sinecod and Bronholitin are contraindicated.

Note! Treatment for a wet cough should last no more than 1–2 weeks.

Dos and Don'ts when treating a cough during pregnancy

All medicines and drugs can be divided into permitted, conditionally permitted and prohibited. You have already met the first two categories, but now it's time to find out the taboo list:

  1. Drugs with a high dose of codeine (Codelac);
  2. Medicines that can provoke a miscarriage (ACC);
  3. Medicines that tone the uterus (Thermopsis);
  4. Ascoril is an excellent remedy for antispasmodic cough, but it is contraindicated during pregnancy, since it has an abortive expansive effect;
  5. It is forbidden to ingest the following medicinal plants that have abortive properties: coltsfoot, viburnum, sage, calendula;
  6. Do not use mustard plasters, cans, soar your feet or take hot baths.

When a cough is in pregnant women, how to treat it is not an easy question. You need to carefully study the instructions for the drug, weigh the pros and cons, and only then proceed to treatment. Be healthy!

Cough during pregnancy: what to do at different stages of pregnancy

Every third woman during pregnancy suffers a respiratory illness, one of the symptoms of which is coughing.
What to do if a pregnant woman has a cough? It depends on the etymology of the disease and the duration of pregnancy.

Cough: the reason

It is useless to treat a cough - you need to eliminate its cause, that is, the disease of which it is a symptom. Since the treatment of cough during pregnancy should be started from the very first days, it is prudent to see a doctor right away.

It is quite difficult to cure a cough even with conservative treatment. In an environment where most drugs are banned, curing a cough becomes much more difficult.

In cases where cough is a symptom of a sore throat, SARS or flu, professional treatment should be started as soon as possible. Intoxication of the body can become very dangerous for the fetus, cause pathology in the development of internal organs or weaken the baby's immunity. In many cases, bed rest is necessary - the doctor must decide this issue.

The main cause of cough is respiratory diseases: colds, flu, ARVI. Rare cases are allergic reactions, gastrointestinal reflux (gastric juice rises up the throat and irritates it), heart disease, etc.

Cough during pregnancy: danger

Why is a cough dangerous?
Major hazards 3.

1. In case of respiratory diseases, cough begins with inflammatory processes in the larynx. If you do not take any measures to treat the throat, the inflammatory process goes deeper, affecting the bronchi and even the lungs. Treatment of tracheitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis or pneumonia requires the use of strong medications that are dangerous for the development and health of the fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to treat a cough during pregnancy from the very first day in order to prevent complications.

2. The cough causes tension in the abdominal muscles. A short cough with normal muscle tone in the uterus is safe.

In cases where the cough manifests itself in long, painful attacks, there is a risk of bleeding due to an increase in the tone of the muscles of the uterus.

Who is at risk?

  • Women at risk of termination of pregnancy.
  • Pregnant women diagnosed with cervical insufficiency.
  • In cases of placenta previa.
  • Women with multiple pregnancies.

3. The cough poses an immediate threat to the fetus. Due to overstrain of the abdominal muscles, there is a deterioration in the blood supply to the placenta and, consequently, to the baby. The child receives less oxygen, which significantly harms his development and reduces his own immunity.

In pregnant women, the gag reflex is significantly increased, so a strong paroxysmal cough can cause vomiting. In this case, the body loses fluid and nutrients that the fetus needs. As a result, the baby loses weight, and the formation of internal organs and tissues occurs in unfavorable conditions.

Cough during pregnancy: what to do

The only correct answer to this question is to see a doctor, observe bed rest and strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations. It is not difficult to cure a cough on your own in cases where it is caused only by hypothermia and there are no complications.

In real conditions, a pregnant woman cannot always afford to stay at home or even consult a doctor; most women self-medicate.

Some cough suppressants during pregnancy are strictly prohibited.

  • mustard plasters, banks;
  • general and foot hot baths;
  • UHF and physiotherapy;
  • taking high doses of vitamin C.

What can pregnant women get from a cough so as not to harm the child?

Cough treatment: 1 trimester

In the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus is most vulnerable, and there is a high risk of spontaneous abortion. Added to this is reduced immunity and a ban on the use of most medications.

What is the danger of a cough in the 1st trimester of pregnancy:

  • fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen due to overstrain of the muscles of the uterus);
  • detachment of the placenta;
  • increased blood pressure;
  • miscarriage.

If you have a cough during pregnancy, how to treat it in the first trimester? Since there is an active formation of fetal organs, most drugs are prohibited. You can use folk remedies, to enhance the effect of treatment - rest more and eat well.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, the following cough syrups can be used: Sinekod, Bronchikum, Stodal.

Cough treatment: 2 trimester

In the second trimester, the risk of miscarriage is significantly reduced, but coughing can lead to a deterioration in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, which causes the baby to be wasted.

At the 14th week, the disease strikes the endocrine system, at 16 and 17 weeks - on the bone tissue of the fetus.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, a fully formed placenta effectively protects the baby from viruses and toxins. The range of drugs allowed for use is expanding.

What can you do for coughing pregnant women in the second semester? Basically, traditional methods of treatment.

Which cough syrup during pregnancy is allowed in the 2nd trimester? With a dry cough, Stoptussin, Libeksin, Coldrex Knight, Falimint are taken in lozenges.

Cough treatment: 3 trimester

In the last third of pregnancy, diseases carried by the mother are less dangerous than at the beginning of pregnancy.

At the same time, in the last weeks of pregnancy, the placenta ages and becomes permeable to viruses, toxins and drugs. Viral diseases cause accelerated aging of the placenta, which leads to the fact that the child does not receive enough nutrients - this can lead to the depletion of the fetus. Viruses also cross the placenta into amniotic fluids, which are directly consumed by the fetus. As a result, the baby's immune system suffers.

Coughing affects milk production, which is also undesirable in late pregnancy.

A severe paroxysmal cough can lead to detachment of the placenta, drainage of amniotic fluid, and premature birth.

Diseases suffered in the last stages of pregnancy deplete the body of a woman who needs to gain strength for the upcoming birth and subsequent round-the-clock care of the newborn.

What remedy for cough during pregnancy is acceptable in the last trimester? The list of medicines is the same as in the second trimester.

Cough in pregnant women: home treatment

Diseases, one of the symptoms of which is coughing, should be treated under the supervision of a qualified physician. Even herbal preparations can be dangerous to the fetus, as they increase the tone of the uterus.

It is extremely dangerous to use home treatment for more than 3 days. If after 3 days of home treatment there is no improvement, the cough is just as intense, the state of health has not improved - you need to visit a doctor without delay.

If a cough occurs during pregnancy, only a specialist should decide how to treat it. It is advisable to discuss with your doctor what therapies are at home, especially if herbal teas are used for the treatment. You can use home treatment methods in parallel with conservative treatment, which will be prescribed by a doctor, then the cough will go away faster.

What are some home remedies for coughing?

Rinses

Gargling is great for treating a sore throat, when unpleasant perspiration, pain, discomfort when swallowing are felt in the throat. In cases where the cough is caused by laryngitis, bronchitis (chest cough), rinsing is useless.

Gargling will help you to quickly get rid of viral pathogens that harden on the mucous membrane of the throat, produce toxins and cause inflammation. With weakened immunity, characteristic of pregnant women, inflammation in the throat can lead to sore throat, which will require antibiotics to treat. Therefore, it is imperative to gargle with colds, flu and SARS.

For rinsing, you can use herbal decoctions of chamomile, sage, plantain, coltsfoot.

Alcohol tinctures of calendula or eucalyptus are used: 10-15 drops per glass of water.

You can prepare a sea salt solution - 1 teaspoon per glass of water.

A solution of salt and soda will help - a teaspoon per glass of solution.

The solution must be warm. A hot solution injures the inflamed mucous membranes of the throat, and a cold solution will lead to an increase in the inflammatory process.

Rinse frequency, ideally every 2 hours. But at least 3-4 times a day.

Inhalation

How to treat a cough during pregnancy with inhalation?

Inhalation warms up the throat and delivers drugs to the inflammation site. Inhalation causes a violent cough, which promotes the discharge of phlegm and for a while the cough stops. It is good to inhale before bed so that you can sleep and rest without interruption.

Do not inhale at elevated temperatures!

A nebulizer is best suited for inhalation - it delivers drugs directly to the bronchi in the form of many microscopic drops.

In the absence of a nebulizer, steam can be used - it will carry the medicine to the diseased organ.

How to do inhalation?

A bowl of boiling water. Medicines are added to boiling water and they breathe for 10 minutes over the steam. To enhance the effect, you can cover yourself with a sheet - if this does not cause lightheadedness!

Kettle. A paper tube is put on the spout of a teapot with boiling water and the end of the tube is placed in the mouth, inhaling the steam.

Hot potatoes. Cook a few potatoes in their uniforms, knead them and breathe over the steam.

Herbs for inhalation (1-2 tablespoons). For dry cough: chamomile, sage, marshmallow, thyme, lime blossom, plantain. With a wet cough: wild rosemary, eucalyptus, lingonberry, coltsfoot, string, yarrow.

Essential oils (5-6 drops): eucalyptus, pine, tea tree.

Garlic gruel - You can simply breathe over a saucer of crushed garlic.

Coniferous extract - added to water.

Validol tablet. 1 tablet is crushed and added to water for inhalation.

Aroma oils

Aromatic oils have a healing effect and improve the condition. You can put a few drops of oil on a napkin and inhale it, or use a special aroma pendant that will protect against viruses by purifying the inhaled air. Eucalyptus or lemon oil will do.

Compresses on the chest

Helps with chest cough. They make warm (!) Compresses at night, wrapping their breasts warmly. What can be used for compresses? The cabbage leaf is kneaded, smeared with a thin layer of honey and placed on the chest.

Herbal decoctions

How to cure a cough during pregnancy using traditional medicine recipes?

  1. For a painful dry cough, use the juice of a fresh black radish. The top of the radish is cut off, the pulp is selected and 1-2 tablespoons of honey are placed in the depression. The radish is placed in a glass of water so that the "tail" is in the water. This radish can be used for 2 days, adding honey as needed.
    Radish juice with honey is drunk in a tablespoon before meals 3 times a day.
  2. Decoction of figs. In a glass of milk, boil 1-2 fig berries until the milk darkens. Drink half a glass three times a day.
  3. With a strong cough, they drink sage broth in milk at night. A spoon of sage is boiled over low heat in a glass of milk. The infusion is defended in a warm place for at least 3 hours and drunk before bedtime.
  4. Warm milk, freshly squeezed carrot juice and a spoonful of honey are mixed equally. Drink at night.
  5. A spoonful of oregano and 2 tablespoons of coltsfoot and marshmallow root are poured with 2 cups of boiling water, insisted for half an hour and drunk half a glass during the day.

Herbal preparations: danger

When a cough occurs in pregnant women, how can it not be treated?

Some herbal preparations are dangerous for a pregnant woman.

Chest fee 1... Contains oregano, which can cause uterine bleeding and allergic reactions.
Chest fee 2 and 4... As part of the fees - licorice root, which is not recommended for a pregnant woman.
Breast fee 3... Contains anise, contraindicated during pregnancy.

For a pregnant woman and a fetus, coughing poses a significant danger, especially in the pathology of pregnancy. It is better to carry out treatment under the supervision of a doctor and in bed rest.

Cough during pregnancy can be a real problem if you do not take timely measures to prevent and treat it. How to treat a cough during pregnancy, what consequences may arise, you will learn from our article.

What is a cough?

A cough is an exhalation accompanied by sound. It can be both voluntary and involuntary. Also, cough occurs as a separate disease of the respiratory tract or is a symptom, a consequence of other diseases.
In any case, a cough is a disease that brings inconvenience to a person and negatively affects the body as a whole.

With the help of a cough, our body tries to clear the airways of excess mucus. The production of mucus by the bronchi occurs constantly, but during illness, mucus is produced in large quantities or changes its concentration, irritating the respiratory tract. One cannot ignore the fact that excessive accumulation of mucus is a favorable environment for the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria, exacerbating the situation.

What is a cough?

There are two types of coughs: dry and wet. The first is also called unproductive due to the small amount of sputum secreted. It is paroxysmal, lasts several minutes, can make breathing difficult, and is often worse at night, making it difficult for the person to sleep. In rare cases, a dry cough causes gagging and chest pain due to the sharp contractions of the bronchi and corresponding muscle groups. An unproductive cough in practice appears at the onset of the disease and then flows into a productive form.

A productive type of cough is also called wet or wet. It has an expectorant effect, due to which excess mucus is removed from the respiratory tract. Also, with a wet cough, there is no pain in the chest and it is shorter than a dry one. With a wet cough, wheezing and shortness of breath may be present in the chest. Due to significant differences, even a person without medical education will be able to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one.

Causes of cough during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body of the expectant mother is subjected to tremendous stress, which leads to a weakening of the functions of the immune system. Thus, a pregnant woman is most prone to viral and infectious diseases, the consequence of which is often a cough; there are also a number of other reasons for its occurrence:

  • laryngitis is an inflammatory process in the larynx;
  • tracheitis is an inflammatory process in the trachea;
  • bronchitis is an inflammatory process in the bronchi;
  • asthma is a chronic bronchial disease that makes it difficult for a person to breathe, which manifests itself in attacks of suffocation and shortness of breath;
  • ARVI - acute respiratory viral infection;
  • whooping cough is an infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract (more common in children);
  • pharyngitis is an inflammatory process in the pharynx;
  • heart failure - disruption of the heart, expressed in the lack of the ability to supply blood to all organs and tissues of the body;
  • an allergy is the body's response to a specific irritant.


If a pregnant woman starts to cough, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The causes of cough in pregnant women include not only diseases, but also factors, for example, irritation of the respiratory tract mucosa with the help of chemistry (i.e. inhalation of chemicals). The situation can occur in the workplace if the work activity is associated with chemicals or in a domestic environment when disinfecting plumbing fixtures. Chemical exposure can also include being in the same room as a smoking person.

Another factor is the thermal effect on the mucous membrane in the respiratory tract. For example, with a sharp inhalation of cold or, on the contrary, hot air. There is also mechanical irritation of the respiratory tract: ingress of a foreign body or inhalation of dust.

The expectant mother should understand that whatever the cause of the cough, it must be eliminated and get rid of this debilitating ailment.
Consequences of coughing during pregnancy

The appearance of a cough during pregnancy always alarms the expectant mother because of the perceived discomfort. Indeed, during a cough, the muscles of the abdominal wall contract, which in turn leads to a contraction of the muscles of the uterus. If the cough is prolonged and aggravated by a paroxysmal nature, then soon it will lead to the tone of the uterus. The tone of the uterus will cause discomfort for the baby and will prevent the flow of necessary substances to the fetus, including oxygen. A restriction in the supply of oxygen to the fetus can lead to hypoxia.

The increased tone of the uterus in the early stages is especially dangerous, because endangers the bearing of the baby and, in neglected forms, contributes to the termination of pregnancy. In the later stages, a debilitating paroxysmal cough, toning the uterus, can cause premature labor, which is also undesirable and entails a number of its negative consequences.


Coughing During Pregnancy Can Have Negative Effects

Dry cough, which has a frequent nature, negatively affects not only the development of the fetus, but also the development of the placenta - the main source of nutrition for the baby. The result of an ignored cough is detachment of the placenta. Coughing attacks are especially dangerous when placenta previa or its low location.

Another negative consequence of a cough in a pregnant woman is an increase in blood pressure or its spasmodic nature. In turn, high blood pressure narrows the vessels of the expectant mother, which often leads to abnormalities in the development of the fetus and disruptions in the work of various organs of the woman herself.

How to treat a cough during pregnancy?

Treatment of cough during pregnancy, like any other disease, must begin with finding out the cause of its occurrence, and only then proceed to get rid of the disease itself.

The use of any treatment methods during pregnancy should be discussed with the observing obstetrician-gynecologist.
In cases where the cough was caused by a mechanical, chemical or thermal method, it is necessary to immediately eliminate the irritant. For example, ventilate the room or go outside. If there is a foreign body in the respiratory tract, you cannot remove it yourself! It is necessary to consult a specialist, in this case an otolaryngologist, in extreme cases, a therapist.


A cough can be caused by various factors, it is not always a cold.

The situation is more difficult for pregnant women, whose work activity is associated with chemicals. After all, the impact of any chemistry on the body of the expectant mother can negatively affect the development of the fetus. Then she needs to contact her supervisor and, having received appropriate recommendations from the antenatal clinic, switch to light work (Article 254 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation).

A cough caused by allergies can also bring significant inconvenience to a mother-to-be. an allergic cough is often dry and paroxysmal. To improve the condition of a pregnant woman, it is necessary to immediately exclude the allergen, i.e. stimulus. At the planning stage of pregnancy, any woman already knows about the presence of an allergy to a particular substance, therefore, the absence of an irritant must be taken care of in advance. In practice, situations are noted of the occurrence of negative reactions of the body to new substances. In this case, it is necessary to consult an allergist and identify the allergen by appropriate methods.


Having passed tests for allergens, it is possible to exclude the occurrence of cough due to allergies.

The expectant mother does not need to postpone these procedures, because the irritant can be present in everyday life and exhaust it on a daily basis. With prolonged exposure, an allergic cough can have a number of negative consequences and weaken an already exhausted body.

In fact, elimination of the allergen is the most optimal procedure during pregnancy, because taking a number of medications during this period is prohibited, yes, and if you can refrain from them, then this opportunity should not be missed.

Heart failure is also reflected in the onset of coughing during pregnancy. In the presence of such a disease during the period of bearing a child, it is necessary to be observed and consult a therapist or cardiologist. The specialist will select the necessary medications, prescribe the procedure and give recommendations. Diseases of the heart system are often a contraindication to pregnancy, and if it does occur, then the woman is under the close supervision of a doctor.

Such a chronic disease as asthma occurs in various forms. With frequent attacks of suffocation and an acute condition, it will be difficult for a woman to maintain a pregnancy already in the early stages. First of all, this is due to the load on the anterior wall of the abdominal wall and uterus during an attack, as well as the intake of drugs that maintain the normal state of the body. In the case when asthma is mild or is in "sleep mode", full bearing of a child is possible. A pregnant woman will need to exclude contact with irritants and, if possible, avoid exposure to negative factors that cause coughing attacks.

The most common cause of a cough in a pregnant woman is infectious and viral diseases: ARVI, laryngitis, tracheitis, etc. Their treatment should be under the supervision of a physician. Although the use of drugs is not at all necessary. Folk remedies - milk with honey or butter, decoctions of herbs, badger fat - will quite cope with the initial stage of the disease.


Folk recipes are one of the safest ways to get rid of a cough during pregnancy.

If this does not help, the doctor may prescribe homeopathic cough syrups such as Gedelix or Stodal. In addition, there is an excellent way to combat cough - inhalation with a compression or ultrasonic inhaler. Inhalation can be done both with medicines and with ordinary saline solution or mineral water such as "Borjomi".


Compression inhaler


Ultrasonic inhaler

By the way, the inhaler will be an excellent purchase not only for a pregnant woman, but also for a future baby - this is one of the safest and most effective remedies for treating cough in babies.

Summing up a small summary, I want to say - before starting treatment, find the cause of the cough, even if it seems obvious, consult your doctor and strictly follow the recommendations. Pregnancy is not the time to experiment with your own health.

When a woman learns that in the near future she will become a mother, she begins to be especially attentive to her health. Despite this, many pregnant women suffer from viral and bacterial diseases. And all due to the fact that immunity during this period is somewhat reduced. The most common cause of concern is dry cough. During pregnancy, how to treat this symptom? You will know about this after reading the article.

during pregnancy

1 trimester is a period that accounts for up to 80 percent in expectant mothers. Everything happens for the reason that the immune defense is reduced. This is necessary for the normal course of pregnancy. Otherwise, the body will reject the fetus, perceiving it as a foreign body.

A dry cough while waiting for a child may be due to an inflammatory airway disease. Also, expectant mothers are prone to allergies. In this case, a dry cough may develop. Sore throat is sometimes caused by bacterial damage to the tonsils and the periopharyngeal ring. This happens most often when eating cold foods. can provoke a dry cough.

Correction of pathology

If you have a dry cough during pregnancy, a specialist will tell you how to treat it. Remember that any independent appointment can lead not only to a complication of the condition of the expectant mother, but also to a negative effect on the fetus. Most medications are prohibited during this period. However, doctors know the list of approved drugs and prescribe them if necessary. There is also a way to eliminate dry cough during pregnancy. Treatment can be carried out using folk methods. In this case, you also need to be careful.

To begin with, it is worth finding out what caused a dry cough during pregnancy. Treatment is selected only after this. An incorrectly selected correction will only contribute to the development of symptoms. Let us consider in detail what causes a dry cough during pregnancy, how to treat it in different situations.

Allergic reaction

Quite often, expectant mothers are faced with the manifestation of allergies. The reaction can appear when certain plants are blooming or to chemicals. Some pregnant women also experience food allergies. For the treatment of this pathology, for example, are prescribed: "Tavegil", "Suprastin", "Zirtek" and so on.

It is worth noting that almost all anti-allergic drugs are prohibited while waiting for a child. However, doctors can choose a certain sparing scheme, while taking into account the period of embryo development. Remember that self-administration of these drugs can lead to dire consequences.

Cold or viral infection

What if the expectant mother contracted the virus and a dry cough occurs during pregnancy? How to treat this pathology? Of course, first you need to visit a therapist and make sure that the disease is the cause. Most often, doctors prescribe immunomodulators for women, for example: "Arbidol", "Otsilokoktsinum", "Interferon" and so on.

Also, therapy can be symptomatic. In this case, agents are used to relieve dry cough during pregnancy. Medicines are most often the following: "Tantum Verde", "Lizobakt", "Ingalipt" and others. When prescribing certain drugs, the duration of pregnancy must always be taken into account.

Bacterial disease or pathology in the bronchi

If there is inflammation in the lungs and bronchi, which resulted in a dry cough during pregnancy, how to treat this pathology? In most cases, doctors prescribe drugs that are available in the form of syrups and suspensions. These drugs include: "Stodal", "Herbion", "Gedelix" and many others.

With a bacterial disease, the body temperature often rises. This can be very dangerous while waiting for the baby. during pregnancy in this case? You can use Theraflu, Coldrex Knight, and so on. In this case, it is worth considering the time frame and possible risks.

Dry air

In addition to all the above reasons, due to insufficiently humidified air, a dry cough can occur during pregnancy. How to treat this phenomenon in this case?

The effects of dry air on the respiratory system can be enormous. However, this reason is the most harmless. Treatment in this case is not prescribed. Doctors strongly recommend using special devices or humidifying the air in the room with improvised means. Usually, after a few hours, the woman begins to feel improvements.

Inhalation use

If you have a dry cough during pregnancy, how can you treat it without medication? Inhalation is an excellent option. This method is quite safe and does not adversely affect the woman's fetus and organs. It must be remembered that inhalations should not be carried out when the body temperature rises. You can use a special device (inhaler) for the procedure, or you can use available tools.

A variety of cough syrups can be used for the inhaler. You can also pour ordinary mineral water or saline into the device. If the inhaler is not at hand, then use other methods. Heat the kettle and breathe over the steam. To enhance the effect, you can use a homemade cardboard tube. Potato vapor also cures dry cough very well.

Healing teas and decoctions

How to treat dry cough during pregnancy safely? The people know many different "grandmother's" recipes. Almost all of them contain various herbs in their composition. It is worth noting that some components can negatively affect the fetus. Many formulations even have an abortive effect. That is why it is necessary to consult a specialist before starting any treatment. Here are some of the proven and most harmless tea recipes.

  • Take dried thyme and linden in equal proportions. Boil the herbs with 1 liter of boiling water. After that, cover the container with a lid and wait 20 minutes. Next, strain the solution and take it one glass at a time before bed. The prepared composition must be stored in the refrigerator and warmed up before use.
  • Use 2 tablespoons of dried meadow clover (inflorescences) with 300 ml boiling water. Cook the broth for about 15 minutes, then strain and cool the composition. You need to take the medicine half a glass three times a day.
  • Take two tablespoons of raspberry jam and pour a glass of boiling water over them. Let the food stand for about 10-20 minutes and drink warm. You need to know that raspberries contribute to some degree of softening of the cervix. That is why you should not use this method with or a high probability of premature birth.
  • Lemon helps to remove the virus from the body and enhance immunity. If a dry cough is caused by a cold, then feel free to use this recipe. Take a few slices of peeled lemon and mash it. Pour half a glass of boiling water and cool slightly. Drink tea after meals.

Gargling

How else to treat a dry cough during pregnancy without taking medication? You can safely gargle. This treatment does not affect the fetus in any way due to the fact that the drugs are not absorbed into the bloodstream.

There are a variety of ways to gargle your throat. Salt and baking soda are excellent antiseptic and regenerating agents. Chamomile relieves inflammation and soothes irritated mucous membranes. Sage has an astringent effect to relieve redness.

It is better to gargle after a meal. This can be done several times a day. In this case, after manipulation, it is worth refraining from drinking for about half an hour.

Tips for treating dry cough during pregnancy at different times

Many expectant mothers turn to doctors with the words: “I had a dry cough during pregnancy. How to treat? Help!" Surely you know that the entire period of bearing a child is divided into three parts, which are called trimesters. The first period of this time is the most dangerous for colds. If at this time you have a dry cough, then you should give preference to the use of safe means: decoctions, teas, inhalations and rinses. At this stage, important organs and systems are formed in the unborn baby. Uncontrolled use of medicines can lead to various damage and irreversible consequences.

But how can a dry cough during pregnancy (2 trimester) be treated at a later date? Treatment provides during this period mostly with medications. At this time, the unborn child is reliably protected by the placenta. It is worth noting that even antibacterial and antimicrobial agents can be used during this period, but this should be done only on the recommendation of a doctor.

There are several restrictions on late treatment. Dry cough during pregnancy (3rd trimester) can be especially dangerous. This period brings the expectant mother closer to meeting her baby every day. That is why doctors are cautious about prescribing certain drugs for correction. Many products are prohibited from being consumed less than a month before childbirth. This is explained by the fact that the drugs are absorbed into the bloodstream and can be excreted in breast milk. That is why it is so important not to make independent appointments, but to turn to doctors for help.

Summing up and conclusion

You now know how you can treat a dry cough during pregnancy. Remember that in some cases, the disease can be very dangerous. During tension of the abdominal wall, the tone of the uterus increases and the pressure inside the genital organ increases. All this can lead to temporary oxygen starvation in the unborn baby.

If symptoms occur, contact your gynecologist or therapist and get qualified appointments. Always listen to your doctor's advice and be healthy!