Home remedies for cold during pregnancy. Yes, when you are pregnant, your body changes it’s inner self a lot. Your hormones change, your body becomes bigger and your immune system gets lowered. Each and every change that happens in the body is to protect the newborn baby and to make it comfortable. The reason the immune system gets lowered is so that our body does not think our growing fetus as a foreign entity and helps in protecting the baby. As positive as are these body changes, it affects a mother to a great extent.
The lowering of the immune system makes expecting mothers vulnerable to any disease. One such is the cold. Yes, it is very easy to catch a cold during pregnancy second trimester.
Home remedies are one of the best ways to cure a cold and to protect the body from any other illness. Taking medicines, are harmful to both baby and mother at this stage. So, let’s check out the ways how to deal with sore throat pregnancy and also feeling cold during pregnancy.
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What are some common symptoms of cold during Pregnancy?
Some of the common symptoms which can tell us that it is cold are-
- A runny nose
- Sneezing
- Fatigue
- A dry cough
- Mild or low fever
Home Remedies for Cold during Pregnancy
Some of the great home remedies for cold when you are pregnant are as follows-
1. Turmeric for cold in Pregnancy-
It is one of the best ingredients to fight off any infection from the body. Turmeric is rich in antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It helps to fight off any cold, and cough especially during pregnancy.
How to consume:
- Put a pinch of turmeric in warm milk.
- Drink it before going to sleep, it will give you relief.
2. Ajwain to treat Cold during Pregnancy-
Another great ingredient that is very easily found in the kitchen is Ajwain or old carom seeds. It is very effective in treating a cold. It helps to soothe out the chest congestion.
How to consume:
- Boil Ajwain in water
- Drink this mixture to get instant relief from cold.
3. Gargle with Saltwater for cold in Pregnancy-
This method you all must have tried since childhood. Doing gargle with salt water helps to give relief to sore throat and also prevents infections in the respiratory system.
How to use:
- Mix 1 tbsp. of salt in warm water.
- Gargle it for few seconds
- You can also add turmeric in it if you want.
4. Flaxseeds with lime juice and honey for cold-
Flaxseeds are very beneficial for cold. Added with lime juice and honey it gives instant relief to the throat and helps to fight the infection.
How to use:
- Boil flaxseeds in water, until it gets thick
- Strain out the water
- Add a few drops of lime juice and 1 tbsp. of honey
- Drink it to get relief from the common cold.
5. Basil water to treat Cold during Pregnancy-
Basil or Tulsi is the best and safest option for expecting mom. It helps to get rid of nasal congestion and mucus very fast.
How to use:
- Add tulsi extract in warm water
- Drink it before going to bed.
6. Have proper rest-
Cold reduces our immune power. Pregnant women’s immune system is already lowered. So, it is very necessary to have proper rest during the cold. This will give you the energy to fight off the infection and also your cold won’t pass to any of the other family members.
7. Steam for cold in Pregnancy-
Steam helps to give you relief from congestion in the chest. It clears the mucus and gives you instant relief. Its best safe home remedies for cold during pregnancy.
How to use:
- Take a bowl of hot water
- Add some eucalyptus oil in it
- Take a towel and cover your face
- Inhale the steam.
- It helps in opening up the blocked nose.
8. Keep yourself hydrated-
Keeping yourself hydrated is very necessary. When you catch a cold, your body loses a lot of water through runny nose and sweat, it is necessary to make up for the lost water. So, always keep yourself hydrated, you can drink water or some fluids.
9. Onion for cold during Pregnancy-
You might find this strange. But onion has phytochemicals, which keeps the respiratory tract open.
How to consume:
Try adding lots of onion to whatever you eat.
10. Coconut oil to treat cold in Pregnancy-
The best home remedy product which we find in our home. Coconut oil is very beneficial and helps to cure almost everything. It is loaded with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
How to consume:
- Take 2 tbsp. of raw coconut oil
- Add 10 drops of stevia
- Mix them well
- Drink it normally.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar to treat cold in Pregnancy-
ACV alkalinizes your body, and bacteria do not survive in an alkaline body. It helps to fight off the infection properly.
How to consume:
- Take 1-2 tbsp. of ACV
- Mix it in a glass of water or tea
- Drink it normally
- You can also do gargles with ACV water to get rid of sore throat.
Is it Cold or Flu?
Many times it gets difficult to know whether it is cold or flu. So, let’s understand the difference between them-
- Cold- No matter how bad the cold is, its symptoms are always milder than flu. Cold comes with little to no fever, sore throat in the cold goes away in one or two days. It’s main symptoms runny nose and cough remains for a longer time.
- Flu- Flu is more severe and serious than cold. Its symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, weakness and fatigue, sore throat, and intense muscle soreness. All these symptoms last for a couple of weeks.
Cough Medicine Safe for Pregnancy
Some of the cough medicines which are safe during pregnancy and you can think of taking them are-
- Plain cough syrup like Vicks
- Cough expectorant during day
- Cough suppressant at night
- Acetaminophen to get relief from pain and fever.
Though the above medicines are considered safe to consume during pregnancy. Still consulting your doctor before taking them is recommended.
Natural Ways to Prevent a Cold
Pregnancy is a very delicate phase. An expectant mom needs to be very cautious and careful during this phase. It is always good to take precautions, as it is said,’ prevention is better than cure’. Some of the natural ways to prevent a cold is-
- Get enough sleep- Taking proper rest is very much needed. Your body has a great way of fighting the bacteria and infection when you are asleep. Also, taking proper rest makes you feel energetic and keeps you away from any illness.
- Have a healthy diet- Eating a full nutritious healthy diet is very important. An expectant mom’s body needs proteins, vitamins, and healthy fats. So, focus mainly on your diet as it is very necessary for a healthy baby and healthy mom.
- Reduce stress- Stressing about anything during pregnancy, affects your child’s growth and health. Stress lowers the immune system making you susceptible to illness. Try meditating; it is very effective to reduce stress.
- Exercise a lot- Exercise helps to boost the immune system. It is very beneficial during pregnancy. Doing exercise keeps you and your baby both healthy.
- Take proper nutrients- It is very necessary to take proper nutrients. The deficiency of nutrients during pregnancy can affect you as well as your baby’s health. Having proper nutrients keeps you fit and healthy.
So, these are some of the ways and Home Remedies for Cold during Pregnancy in which we can tackle cold during pregnancy. If anytime you feel, that cold is getting worst and home remedies are not working, it is good to consult your doctor.
FAQ
Q: What can I take for a cold while pregnant?
A: For cold, you can take above home remedies. It will take time for you to get rid of cold, as your immune system gets weak during pregnancy and your body does not have the proper energy to fight with cough and cold.
Q: What is the fastest way to get rid of a cold while pregnant?
A: There is no fastest way to get rid of cold especially when you are pregnant. You cannot take high dose medicine as it will affect your baby. You need to take proper home remedies and have full rest. Cold during pregnancy is common and also takes a lot of time to go away.
Q: Does cold and cough during pregnancy affect the baby?
A: You can be relieved here, the cold and cough of the expecting mother does not pass on to the baby. Your baby is perfectly safe from the cold and cough. Cold does not pass through the placenta and harms the baby.
Q: Is Vicks VapoRub safe during pregnancy?
A: Vicks Vaporub is safe to use in pregnancy, but still it will be good to consult the physician first before you apply it or use it.
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