There may be many reasons for an active cough in pregnant women, including maternal infection, fetal lung immaturity, and airway irritation and inflammation often referred to as “pregnancy-induced asthma.” It is important to call your doctor during pregnancy to rule out or rule out any other causes of a dry cough, including tuberculosis, bronchitis, and a serious condition called asthma. Cough can last from a few days to several weeks or throughout pregnancy. But one thing we can say for sure – it should be handled properly. And in this post, we will shed light on the issue of cough during pregnancy.
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The Condition
Pregnancy is an exciting time, with a new life inside your body and much to look forward to! It’s also a time when it’s common for many pregnant people to be prone to colds, which can be uncomfortable, to say the least. Here are some ways you can get a cold or flu during pregnancy.
So, how exactly does pregnancy affect your body and your body’s ability to fight off a cold? How do you know when a cold is actually a cold and not just a cold-like symptom of another condition? Here’s a quick rundown of the basics.
Pregnancy and How It Affects the Body
Being pregnant means that your immune system is temporarily suppressed, meaning that you can’t fight off viral infections as well as you normally could. This is perfectly normal and not just a temporary glitch. The immune system in pregnant women is not as capable of dealing with the many strains of viruses that are floating around the environment.
Your immune system is designed to be suppressed while you are pregnant so that your body is not overworked while incubating an embryo or fetus. This is meant to ensure that the baby you carry is the healthiest. It’s also intended to protect you and the baby you are carrying by preventing you from getting sick with a virus and giving you the best chance to give birth healthily without any pregnancy complications.
A Fever During Pregnancy
If you feel like you are getting a cold, then you may be experiencing a febrile response or a sudden elevation in body temperature. This is normal, and it is the body’s way of fighting off a virus. A temperature of 38.3 degrees Celsius (101.2 degrees Fahrenheit) is considered high. For this reason, it is usually normal for your temperature to rise during pregnancy and for your body temperature to rise to that level over several days or weeks.
Here are some reasons why your body may get a little warmer during pregnancy. There are many viruses and bacteria floating around your body all the time. When they contact your immune system, your body launches an inflammatory response. This response aims to fight off the infection and eliminate it from your body. It causes your immune system to temporarily get ‘pushed aside so that the immune system can have a break and not be overworked. Your immune system must be rested and ready for whatever else it has to deal with next.
Cold Symptoms in Pregnancy
Cold-like symptoms in pregnancy are actually fairly common. They can present as a few days of feeling sick, a few days of feeling a little better and then feeling sick again. Cold symptoms can sometimes last more than a few days or even a few weeks.
Some of the most common cold symptoms include:
- Runny nose
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- A cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
The cold-like symptoms during pregnancy can seem like a virus or a cold, especially if you are coming down with them for several days or weeks in a row. Don’t worry, though; it is not critical – consult with your obstetrics and gynecology doctor instead.
It is tough to get rid of a cold or cold during pregnancy because you are fighting off the virus while your immune system is temporarily suppressed. This means that you won’t feel well, and you won’t be able to fight it off on your own, which means you will have to find ways to get rid of the symptoms and get better.
How to Get Rid of a Cough During Pregnancy
When pregnant, you cannot take all the pills and counter medications as they can hurt your baby. However, this doesn’t mean you will have to sit and wait until the virus leaves your body. There are some traditional remedies for cough that will help you combat the condition. And you should start with the very basics – wash your hands.
Keeping your throat hydrated with cough drops is essential for minimizing and controlling coughs. Additional suggestions for relieving excessive coughing during pregnancy include:
- Take a few sips of salt water (preferably water that is at room temperature);
- Take 1 teaspoon of honey as cough syrup;
- Inhale vapour from a hot water basin as a nasal spray;
- In addition, 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil can be added to the hot water as cough medicine.
One of the great recommendations and home remedies for pregnant women who cough at night is to embrace a pillow or cushion when coughing since this reduces the pressure felt in the abdomen area. Thus, you will make your body feel better and ensure a smooth and pleasant child-bearing experience.