Cold like symptoms sign of pregnancy
Catch a Cold When Pregnant? Here’s What To Do
The chances of a woman catching a cold while pregnant are high because the immune system is affected by pregnancy. The seasonal cold is one of the most common respiratory sicknesses in humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are millions of cases of the common cold each year in the United States alone.
Knowing what to do if someone catches a cold while pregnant can help to keep them and their baby healthy. There are a number of factors for a pregnant woman to consider when treating or preventing a cold, and there are times when she should seek a doctor’s help.
Treating colds during pregnancy
Treating a cold usually means purchasing any number of over-the-counter medications. When pregnant, there are other things to consider for both the woman and her baby.
Medications can be a sensitive topic. The possibility of medications affecting an unborn child may worry some pregnant women. Most over-the-counter medications use the same few ingredients to treat cold symptoms.
Pain relievers
It is important to treat pain during pregnancy as it can lead to stress, high blood pressure, and even depressionsymptoms if left unchecked. Over-the-counter pain medications include acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
According to studies noted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of pain relievers during pregnancy should be done under direct guidance from a doctor or healthcare provider.
Studies have noted the potential risks of using pain relievers during pregnancy:
- Prescription NSAIDs may increase the risk of miscarriage during the first half of pregnancy
- Prescription opioids may increase the risk of birth defects when taken in the first trimester
- Acetaminophen use during pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children
The FDA note that the studies all have limitations in how they were carried out, so these may not be hard and fast rules to follow. For example, another study posted in the Official Publication of the College of Family Physicians of Canada states that acetaminophen use during pregnancy is safe.
The important thing to note is that healthcare professionals should always be involved in the decision to take any medication that relieves pain.
Cough suppressants
Cough suppressant medications such as dextromethorphan are often found in over-the-counter medications. These medications are generally considered safe for pregnant women in the correct doses, but drug-free options should always be considered the first line of defense.
Before using a cough suppressant medication, pregnant women can try using herbal or mentholated throat lozenges in order to ease a cough or sore throat.
Antihistamines
According to a review posted to the Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherepeutics, none of the antihistamine drugs available today have been classed as safe to use during pregnancy.
Two drugs called cyproheptadine and chlorpheniramine are in a secondary category. These antihistamines have been associated with temporary symptoms in the pregnant mother but have not been linked to any birth defects when used during pregnancy.
This link does not mean that they are completely safe, but that no negative effects have been found yet. For this reason, many choose to avoid antihistamine use during pregnancy.
Decongestants
Studies on decongestant use during pregnancy have given mixed results.
Some studies suggest that using decongestants during the first trimester of pregnancy has been linked with a small increase in birth-related problems. However, multiple follow-up studies have failed to get these same results.
Oral decongestants are considered relatively safe to use during pregnancy, but should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Many of these studies are for short-term use of medications. Over-the-counter medications should not be used for any longer than needed to prevent health risks to both mother and child.
Natural remedies
Many doctors recommend nonmedicinal alternatives for treating cold symptoms. Increasing liquid intake to eight to 10 glasses per day can help to flush out the body and make people feel more comfortable. Juices and smoothies can also provide nutritional intake when people have no appetite.
Resting for longer while sick is important to give the body time focus on recovery. Lying down with their head elevated may also help with breathing and stuffiness.
Many pregnant women also use room humidifiers to help clear a stuffy nose and promote a productive cough. Warm compresses are also applied to the head, sinuses, and shoulders in order to reduce pain and congestion.
Preventing colds when pregnant
One of the most important steps to take against colds while pregnant is to prevent them where possible. Doctors recommend regular hand-washing with soap and warm water. This is especially important after contact with other people or public items like shopping carts and door handles.
Staying active is also an important part of preventing colds. Light to moderate pregnancy-safe exercises such as swimming and indoor cycling can help to boost the immune system and increase the metabolism, causing people to feel hungry.
Healthful eating is another important factor in cold prevention. Focusing on eating a variety of fresh foods can help ensure the body gets the nutrients it needs. Finding a prenatal vitamin that includes zinc and vitamin C can also help to further support the immune system to prevent colds.
Similarities between a cold and pregnancy symptoms
Pregnant women often experience cold-like symptoms. It is very common for women to have a stuffy nose while pregnant because shifting hormones will have an effect on the nasal passages. This may lead to a pressure headache that feels like the onset of a cold.
If other symptoms are not present, it is likely that the woman does not have a cold.
Symptoms that are typically caused by a cold include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Rough cough
These symptoms will usually not be caused by the hormonal changes during pregnancy. If a woman is experiencing these symptoms, she is likely to have a cold.
Risks and considerations
A cold during pregnancy is the same as any other cold, though the pregnant woman must take some additional thoughts into consideration.
It is important to be certain it is a cold and not the flu. The two have similar symptoms, but the flu tends to be more severe and is usually accompanied by a fever.
If a pregnant woman is experiencing a fever, they should contact their doctor to see what steps can be taken to reduce the fever to safe levels as quickly as possible.
Will having a cold affect the baby?
Having a cold during pregnancy will not usually affect the baby. Colds are mild illnesses that are handled by the immune system relatively easily.
However, the mother’s temperature and infections can affect the baby. If a pregnant woman is experiencing a fever or other signs of infection, it is important to speak with a doctor immediately to take steps towards reducing these symptoms.
When to see a doctor
The body deals with a cold while pregnant in much the same way as it deals with a cold at any other time. The symptoms are temporary, and in most cases the cold will be gone within 2 weeks.
If a pregnant woman experiences symptoms such as a fever of over 100.4°F, coughing up yellow or green mucus, or symptoms lasting longer than 2 weeks, they should call our office immediately 760.799.5511.
Weird Early Pregnancy Symptoms: 10 Unexpected Ones
Weird Early Pregnancy Symptoms: 10 Unexpected Ones- Health Conditions
- Featured
- Breast Cancer
- IBD
- Migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Articles
- Acid Reflux
- ADHD
- Allergies
- Alzheimer's & Dementia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Cancer
- Crohn's Disease
- Chronic Pain
- Cold & Flu
- COPD
- Depression
- Fibromyalgia
- Heart Disease
- High Cholesterol
- HIV
- Hypertension
- IPF
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriasis
- Skin Disorders and Care
- STDs
- Featured
- Discover
- Wellness Topics
- Nutrition
- Fitness
- Skin Care
- Sexual Health
- Women's Health
- Mental Well-Being
- Sleep
- Product Reviews
- Vitamins & Supplements
- Sleep
- Mental Health
- Nutrition
- At-Home Testing
- CBD
- Men’s Health
- Original Series
- Fresh Food Fast
- Diagnosis Diaries
- You’re Not Alone
- Present Tense
- Video Series
- Youth in Focus
- Healthy Harvest
- No More Silence
- Future of Health
- Wellness Topics
- Plan
- Health Challenges
- Mindful Eating
- Sugar Savvy
- Move Your Body
- Gut Health
- Mood Foods
- Align Your Spine
- Find Care
- Primary Care
- Mental Health
- OB-GYN
- Dermatologists
- Neurologists
- Cardiologists
- Orthopedists
- Lifestyle Quizzes
- Weight Management
- Am I Depressed? A Quiz for Teens
- Are You a Workaholic?
- How Well Do You Sleep?
- Tools & Resources
- Health News
- Find a Diet
- Find Healthy Snacks
- Drugs A-Z
- Health A-Z
- Health Challenges
- Connect
- Breast Cancer
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Psoriasis
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Annamarya Scaccia on January 3, 2018
Everyone knows the classic signs of pregnancy. You’ve missed your period. Your breasts are tender. And you’re tired all the time.
But pregnant women also experience a whole host of symptoms beyond these first signs. From mucus discharge to tasting metal to headaches, expect the unexpected.
Here’s a list of 10 weird early pregnancy symptoms no one tells you about.
While many women experience vaginal discharge, it’s not often associated with pregnancy. But most pregnant women will secrete sticky, white, or pale-yellow mucus early on in the first trimester and throughout their pregnancy.
Increased hormones and vaginal blood flow cause the discharge. It increases during pregnancy to prevent infections as your cervix and vaginal walls soften. Visit your doctor if the discharge starts to:
- smell
- burn
- itch
- turn greenish-yellow
- becomes very thick or watery
These may be signs of an infection.
Share on Pinterest
When you first wake up in the morning after ovulation, your body temperature is slightly elevated. It stays that way until you get your next period.
But if this temperature, known as basal body temperature, stays elevated for more than two weeks, you may be pregnant.
Share on Pinterest
It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to feel lightheaded or dizzy in the first trimester. Pregnancy causes blood pressure to drop and blood vessels to dilate.
But pay close attention to your symptoms. Severe dizziness coupled with vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Make sure to see a doctor right away to avoid life-threatening complications.
Share on Pinterest
You may feel bloated, like you want to pass gas or go number two. But it’s just not happening. That’s because pregnancy’s hormonal changes can lead to constipation, as can prenatal vitamins.
Your digestive system slows down during pregnancy. This gives nutrients just enough extra time to absorb into your bloodstream and reach your little one.
If you can’t go, add more fiber into your diet, drink plenty of fluids, and exercise regularly. If needed, you can also check with your doctor about adding a pregnancy-safe stool softener.
Share on Pinterest
About 25 to 40 percent of pregnant women will lightly bleed or notice spotting early on in their pregnancy. The slight bleeding can happen when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This is known as implantation bleeding. It’s common about two weeks after conception.
Bleeding can also be caused by cervical irritation, an ectopic pregnancy, or a threatened miscarriage. Make sure to get medical help right away if your light bleeding gets heavier or is accompanied by severe cramps, back pain, or stabbing pains.
Share on Pinterest
Pregnancy lowers your immunity. This means you’re more prone to a cough, colds, and the flu. It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to experience cold- or flu-like symptoms early in pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor about pregnancy-safe treatment options. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to severe illnesses from the flu. This can lead to serious health problems for your baby.
Share on Pinterest
Hormones change everything during pregnancy. This includes the valve between your stomach and esophagus. This area becomes relaxed during pregnancy, which can cause stomach acid to leak into your esophagus, causing heartburn.
Fight back by eating smaller, more frequent meals. Also cut out fried grub. Try to avoid fizzy drinks, citrus fruits, juices, and spicy foods.
Share on Pinterest
Your hormones suddenly change when you become pregnant. This can throw your emotions out of whack. You’ll feel unusually weepy and emotional. Your libido goes from hot to cold then back to hot again. You might also experience mood swings. This is very common during early pregnancy.
Share on Pinterest
Increases in estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can lead to changes in taste for many pregnant women.
A condition called dysegusia has some pregnant women tasting metal. You’ll feel like you were chomping on some old pennies with your lunch. Get rid of the metallic flavor by munching on saltines and chewing sugarless gum. Also try drinking colder liquids or eating spicier foods.
Some of the symptoms listed above may make you think you’re just stressed and run down. But experienced together, they can point to pregnancy.
Pay attention to what your body is telling you. It might be time to see your doctor for a pregnancy test.
Last medically reviewed on January 4, 2018
- Parenthood
- Pregnancy
- Getting Pregnant
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Boyle J. (2016). Is spotting during pregnancy normal?
focus.sanfordhealth.org/pregnancy-parenting/pregnancy/is-spotting-during-pregnancy-normal - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Getting Pregnant.
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Pregnancy week by week.
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20047208 - Pregnancy: Am I pregnant? (2014).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant - Pregnancy: Having a healthy pregnancy. (2016).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/5186-pregnancy-having-a-healthy-pregnancy - Pregnant women and influenza (flu). (2017).
cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/pregnant. htm - Vaginal discharge in pregnancy. (2015).
nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/vaginal-discharge-pregnant
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Jan 4, 2018
Written By
Annamarya Scaccia
Edited By
Frank Crooks
Medically Reviewed By
Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
Share this article
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Annamarya Scaccia on January 3, 2018
related stories
4 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
7 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More
Cramps but No Period: 7 Early Pregnancy Symptoms
6 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More
Read this next
4 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
At week 4 of pregnancy, you may not have many symptoms yet and the ones do have may be confused with premenstrual syndrome. Learn more.
READ MORE
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH
What are the telltale early symptoms of pregnancy? Every person is different, but here are a few top signs.
READ MORE
7 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More
Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH
When you’re 7 weeks pregnant, you may wonder what to expect next. Now that your baby is the size of a blueberry, find out what else you should know.
READ MORE
Cramps but No Period: 7 Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Medically reviewed by Kimberly Dishman, MSN, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB
If you're experiencing cramping but don't get your period, you might be pregnant. Here are seven common early pregnancy symptoms.
READ MORE
6 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More
Medically reviewed by Tracy Stickler
Although you won’t look pregnant yet, your body is going through many changes by week 6. Symptoms include nausea, constipation, and more.
READ MORE
PMS Symptoms vs. Pregnancy Symptoms
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
It's definitely that time of the month, but for some reason, your period has yet to make its appearance. Are you pregnant, or is it merely late?
READ MORE
What Bodily Changes Can You Expect During Pregnancy?
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
The hormonal and physiologic changes during pregnancy are unique in the life of women. Discover what they are here.
READ MORE
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Medically reviewed by Nancy Carteron, M.D., FACR
Learn about potential problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, including triggers, preeclampsia, premature birth, and low birth…
READ MORE
Can You Get Your Period and Still Be Pregnant?
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
Many women claim to still get their period during early pregnancy, but is this possible? Here’s the truth.
READ MORE
5 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More
At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is the size of a sesame seed. Here's what to know about being 5 weeks pregnant and what to expect.
READ MORE
Cold as a sign of pregnancy - and what to do about it? Can a cold be a sign of pregnancy?
Now you can find out about pregnancy thanks to the test. However, do not ignore a cold as a sign of pregnancy. Even the usual runny nose, lethargy and fatigue can tell about conception.
There is a certain algorithm of how to understand whether a woman is in a position or not. Of course, you need to do a test that is sold in all pharmacies. When a second strip appears, you should consult a gynecologist. However, tests are often wrong, but the doctor can confirm or deny pregnancy, as well as indicate the period, mostly about 4 weeks.
The appearance of snoring and runny nose
After the conception has occurred, the woman begins hormonal changes, the body is rebuilt to bear the baby. In almost half of expectant mothers, this goes unnoticed, except that toxicosis is present, and only closer to childbirth. The rest begin to feel discomfort in the initial stages of pregnancy.
At night it is snoring, and very strong. The symptom is noticed by family members, but the woman herself notices the appearance of a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing or coughing. This can be attributed to various reasons - allergies, poor ecology, lack of humidity in the room, but mostly - to a cold.
Due to the fact that the body secretes hormones, the mucous membranes inside the nose are dried. It is this consequence of the symptoms that are similar to the usual acute respiratory infections. Women, not knowing that a cold can be a sign of pregnancy, begin to be treated on their own, which will harm the baby.
Can a cold be a sign of pregnancy, or what signs should I look out for? A venous mesh begins to appear on the chest. In addition, the areolas around the nipples darken, and pigmentation appears on the skin. The nose may bleed itself, there is profuse salivation.
Difficulties with peristalsis may occur that were not noticed before. A cold in early pregnancy appears as a sign:
- Age spots appear;
- Saliva profusely;
- Belly distended;
- Bleeding from the nose;
- Disturbing leg cramps;
- The chair is broken.
It should be noted that if a runny nose appeared due to hormonal imbalance, then the woman will not have skin reactions, fever or cough. If nasal discharge is accompanied by these signs, then this is a common cold or an allergy. These diseases are also manifested during pregnancy, which greatly exacerbates the situation.
Treatment of a cold
A cold before a delay as a sign of pregnancy is the norm, since the hormones progesterone and estrogen are active in the body of the expectant mother. This phenomenon can provoke temperature fluctuations, it can both drop as much as it rises.
Often, women in position observe subfebrile values on the thermometer. It is enough to drink hot tea and go to bed. Any disease implies bed rest. In pregnant women, this need is increased. Sleep time should be increased by several hours.
If a woman is thrown into a fever or there is an infection in the body, then medicines are indispensable. Drops and all kinds of nasal sprays can adversely affect the body. Treat a runny nose in a safe way:
- Establish a drinking regimen, preferably tea, compote.
- Rinse nose with sea salt solution. You can buy Aqua Maris or make your own solution. A spoonful of salt is taken in a glass of water, washed a couple of times a day.
- It is recommended to sleep with a raised headboard.
- Inhalations with the addition of essential oils are effective. For example, fir oil has antibacterial properties.
If critical days are delayed, it is imperative to visit a doctor. During pregnancy, you need to carefully monitor your health, because the health of the baby depends on it.
Many women planning a pregnancy try to determine the onset of conception even before the start of the menstrual cycle. They do this with the help of some signs that have already become generally accepted. At the beginning of pregnancy, a woman often feels weak, lethargic, often her temperature rises, chills begin. It is when this situation occurs that such a mild cold is often perceived as a sign of pregnancy. In addition to these symptoms, a woman may complain of drowsiness, nasal congestion, and even a runny nose.
Why does this feature occur?
Indeed, according to experts themselves, a cold can be a sign of pregnancy. Such a process often develops, since during this period the woman's body is especially weakened, so it lends itself to various viruses and infections. A catarrhal disease occurs in pregnant women immediately after conception due to a change in the hormonal background of the body. Thus, the adaptation of the expectant mother to the upcoming trials takes place, as it were.
Causes of nasal congestion
Nasal congestion may occur in women with delayed menstruation. This process is caused by the fact that progesterone, which is produced by the corpus luteum at the beginning of pregnancy, is able to retain fluid in the body, as a result of which the nasopharyngeal mucosa swells. At this time, due to nasal congestion, a woman may begin to snore, even if she has never snored before. It is this hormone that can cause an increase in body temperature, which, as a rule, does not rise above 37.5. An elevated temperature causes drowsiness in a pregnant woman even after a long night's sleep. In addition, a woman may experience fever and chills, which can be explained by the production of two hormones in the body - progesterone and estrogen, which cause such fluctuations in body temperature.
Despite the fact that a cold can often be a sign of pregnancy, it is still necessary to consult a specialist after the first symptoms appear, because SARS or influenza are a great danger to a child's life. If the following symptoms occur during pregnancy, you should definitely visit a specialist's office:
- obvious signs of SARS;
- deterioration in the well-being of a pregnant woman.
It is possible to regard a cold as the first sign of pregnancy only if the occurrence of this disease is excluded. It can be especially considered a manifestation of conception when symptoms appear at an atypical time for a cold.
How to behave properly?
At the beginning of pregnancy, the body temperature can rise to 38, due to the hormone of pregnancy - progesterone
Early pregnancy can manifest itself in the form of a slight cold in 80% of women. Such a process, which takes place in a weakened body, cannot cause any complications, so there are no serious reasons for concern. However, it is important to take measures aimed at alleviating the condition of the future mother, for these purposes it is necessary to entrust your health to the doctor, completely abandoning self-medication.
The most important thing that is required of a woman is to monitor her body temperature. It is allowed to increase it to 37.8, some experts say that in their practice there are cases when pregnant women had a temperature of 38 for a long time. the birth of a child. Such a runny nose should not be treated with special medications or folk remedies, since the cause of its occurrence is pregnancy, it is only necessary to wait for childbirth. It is also categorically worth refusing to lower the temperature with the help of special means, because such interference with the natural process can cause serious complications. The only thing that can be done with a runny nose is to carry out nasal washing procedures that facilitate nasal breathing, which improves sleep and the general condition of the expectant mother.
That is why it is so important to know what caused such changes in the body - a cold or pregnancy, after which it is possible to carry out treatment or take measures aimed at alleviating the woman's condition. Having discovered signs of a cold in early pregnancy, it is important to adhere to the following actions:
- observe bed rest;
- don't be nervous;
- drink warm tea;
- refuse to use medications.
Feeling unwell in the absence of a cold, it is useful for a pregnant woman to drink a cup of tea with honey and lie down in bed. Also, the expectant mother with the onset of pregnancy should sleep 2-3 hours more per day than before, and if necessary, increase the duration of rest. For the health of a woman and the full development of the fetus of a child, one must not forget about daytime sleep, one should go to bed immediately after the onset of fatigue.
Some women wonder how to tell the difference between pregnancy and a cold without the help of a specialist. However, it is impossible to do this on your own, since one state of the body does not exclude the occurrence of the second. Only specialists with joint efforts - a gynecologist and a therapist - can make the correct diagnosis.
Approximate reading time: 7 minutes
In the modern world, it is easy to find out about your interesting situation with the help of special tests. However, in order to acquire such a test, you need to have the prerequisites for this. The ground for suspicion is created by certain symptoms that occur in expectant mothers after conception. In addition to the delay, lethargy, fatigue, and a cold that arose against the background of a weakened immune system are distinguished among them. In our time, no one has canceled a runny nose as a sign of pregnancy, because doctors often determine an interesting condition by such signs.
Causes of a runny nose
During pregnancy, certain physiological processes occur in the female body associated with hormonal changes. Hormonal substances have a narrowing effect on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. As a result, the patient has a runny nose, nasal congestion, and snoring at night can be observed.
Often women complain of a feverish condition, when they are thrown into heat and cold. Such symptoms are also due to hormonal changes that occur at an early stage of a wonderful state.
Due to the fact that the majority of pharmacological agents that are used for allergic manifestations or colds are under the strictest ban for expectant mothers, it is necessary to be able to differentiate a runny nose during pregnancy from a common cold that occurs with ARVI. Nasal discharge appears as a result of vasodilation, which extends completely to the entire body, including the nasopharynx, resulting in a runny nose.
Clinical picture
There are a number of symptomatic manifestations that should cause the patient to visit a doctor.
All respiratory viral diseases, in which the process of breathing is complicated, are expressed by the following clinic:
- Patients are worried about headaches.
- There is an increased body temperature.
- There are pains in the joints and muscles.
- Women complain of chills.
- Cough occurs.
- The mucous membranes of the mouth are red.
Mucous discharge may occur with allergies. Doctors identify the following symptoms of the disease:
- Mucous discharge in large quantities.
- Problems with smell.
- Lachrymation.
- Occurrence of allergic skin reactions in the form of rash, itching.
- Rapid breathing.
- Cough.
- Conjunctivitis.
When such symptoms are disturbing, a woman should definitely visit a doctor. Diseases of bacterial or infectious origin must be treated correctly and in a timely manner, especially when it comes to a woman who is in an interesting position.
What signals indicate pregnancy
Hormonal runny nose can be easily differentiated from a cold. This will help a certain clinic. Doctors distinguish the main symptoms of a runny nose of hormonal origin, which occurs in women in an interesting position:
- Increased salivation.
- The appearance of pigmentation on the skin.
- A characteristic venous pattern of the mammary glands emerges.
- Dark areolas.
- Bloating.
- Problems with the intestines, expressed as a violation of the stool.
- Spasms of the calf muscles.
- Bleeding from the nose.
It is worth adding that if the nasal discharge occurs due to hormonal changes, the woman will not have such manifestations as skin reactions, inflammation of the larynx, volumetric discharge of the nasopharynx, fever, severe cough. If a runny nose is accompanied by these symptoms, then a cold or an allergy is to blame. These diseases can also occur during pregnancy, which seriously aggravates the situation and treatment.
What happens in the body of expectant mothers
At the first stages of the birth of a new life, progesterone and estrogen hormones are actively produced in the mother's body. This phenomenon can lead to jumps in body temperature. It can go up and down. Very often, future mothers see subfebrile temperature values on the thermometer.
It will be enough to drink hot tea and go to bed. Any ailment requires bed rest. In women who are in an interesting position, this need increases significantly. The time allotted for sleep should also be increased by about a couple of hours.
Lying down and getting some rest is normal for a pregnant woman, because the feeling of fatigue accompanies expectant mothers throughout pregnancy. Lethargy, weakness, loss of strength - all this is a normal phenomenon that always occurs in pregnant women. The body begins to adapt to the new process, to take on serious loads, so more energy is needed.
The typical runny nose of pregnant women can appear during the entire wonderful period, and when the level of hormones in the body stabilizes after childbirth, it immediately disappears.
Why sneezing bothers you
Sneezing is a natural protective function resulting from exposure to an irritating factor. Most often, this phenomenon occurs in response to strong pungent odors, bright lights, dust, wool, etc.
However, environmental particles such as plant pollen, animal hair, fungi and more are potential irritants that cause sneezing. This reflex occurs as a process that cleanses the mucous membranes from accumulated secretions.
However, sneezing may indicate the presence of pathologies such as acute rhinitis, which manifested itself against the background of a cold. Pregnancy is often accompanied by rhinitis due to hormonal processes.
One of the important criteria for the appearance of the disease are periodic attacks of a short duration, occurring against the background of severe itching and complications of the respiratory process.
The most common causes:
- Influence of physical and mechanical irritants.
- Exposure to allergens that increase the reflex. Sneezing is very intense in response to exposure to animal hair, mold and plants.
- Chemical components that accumulate in the nasopharynx with colds.
- Bright sunlight.
- Sudden temperature changes.
In addition to these factors, sneezing can be caused by food allergies. But this will also cause swelling. Seasonal allergic manifestations caused by exposure to the color of plants are very dangerous.
Why pregnant women get colds
During pregnancy, a woman's immune system is weakened. Therefore, the threat of developing various respiratory viral ailments increases significantly. It is worth saying that SARS are quite popular pathologies, but quite dangerous, because at an early stage the formation of the skeleton and internal organs of the unborn child takes place.
A seemingly harmless cold can even lead to miscarriage. Doctors emphasize a number of undesirable complications that infections and viruses can lead to. Among them are fetal hypoxia, miscarriage, inflammation of the urogenital area, pathologies of a congenital nature.
Colds have a negative impact on the health of the expectant mother. A pregnant woman is forced to breathe through her mouth, which is highly undesirable during a wonderful period. Due to the fact that expectant mothers significantly increase their susceptibility to various allergens, they often develop allergic rhinitis.
Methods of therapy
Runny nose of the hormonal type, which bothers a woman in position, does not require any treatment. If viruses, bacteria or allergies are to blame, then a course of therapy is a must. To do this, consult a doctor.
A woman in an interesting position should consult with her doctor and follow his further recommendations. Due to the fact that most pharmacological drugs are strictly prohibited during pregnancy, doctors rarely prescribe any medications. Without drugs, you can not do with a strong heat and an acute infectious disease.
Nasal drops and sprays can cause irreparable harm to a child. Therefore, it is necessary to treat a runny nose in this way:
- Ensure proper drinking regimen. The priority is teas, compotes, pure filtered water.
- Flushing the nasopharynx with saline. You can buy Aquamaris for this purpose or make your own rinse liquid. In a glass of water you need to take a spoonful of salt and dilute it in it. Do washing twice a day.
- To keep the blood flowing from the head, it is recommended to sleep with a raised headboard.
- Inhalations with essential oils give excellent therapeutic results. For example, fir oil provides a powerful anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect.
- To get rid of accumulated nasal secretions, you can bury your nose with beetroot juice. The contents are mixed with vegetable oil and carrot juice.
A woman must observe bed rest, get plenty of sleep and rest. Short walks will also be very helpful. You can not soar your legs, as such actions can lead to a miscarriage.
To bring down the fever, you can not use antipyretics. For this purpose, a compress with ice is perfect, rubbing the body with a vodka solution.
Runny nose can be cured by lubricating the nasal passages with sea buckthorn oil. This measure helps to moisturize the nose, relieve inflammation and improve the condition of the mucous membranes.
If you are sure that you do not have a cold, but a hormonal "cold in pregnancy", then this phenomenon does not require any specific therapeutic actions. Of course, this gives a woman tremendous discomfort. It is recommended to clean the nasopharynx from accumulated mucus and rinse the nose with a solution of salt or soda.
How to treat sneezing
If you have sneezing in addition to a runny nose, you should definitely get tested for allergies. If an allergy is detected, the doctor will give advice on improving life and nutrition. Most often, pregnant women are prescribed homeopathic remedies. Treatment is necessary when a woman has a persistent symptomatic picture.
In order to detect allergens, it is necessary to carry out special tests with the most common irritants. Self-activity in therapy is highly undesirable, since a woman can purchase means to relieve symptoms, which will not solve the problem of allergen exposure. As a result, allergies will return again and again.
Under no circumstances should you use vasoconstrictor drops. This can lead to extremely unfavorable consequences.
A runny nose is an extremely unpleasant phenomenon that, regardless of causative factors, has a negative impact on a woman's well-being and mood. To prevent the occurrence of rhinitis, it is necessary:
- Avoid large crowds.
- Strengthen the immune system.
- Ventilate the dwelling systematically.
- Walk outdoors.
- Always dress according to the weather, avoid hypothermia or overheating.
- Systematically carry out sanitation of housing, which consists in carrying out wet cleaning and cleaning the premises from dirt and dust.
Conclusion
If you have rhinitis but don't miss your period, then don't expect a replenishment. You have a cold or an allergic reaction has begun to develop. Go to the doctor, and he will prescribe an effective examination and treatment. If a runny nose is an indirect manifestation of a wonderful condition, you should not be upset, because soon you will become a mother. In this case, you need to be very attentive to yourself and your own health. Seek medical attention at the first suspicious symptoms. A qualified specialist will select the safest method of treatment for you.
Runny nose as a sign of pregnancy is a fairly common phenomenon, which in most cases occurs at the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy. Rhinitis in adult patients can develop against the background of a number of different diseases, so it is important to identify the disease in time and start appropriate treatment.
The appearance of a runny nose during pregnancy is due to certain physiological processes occurring in the female body. The fact is that after conception, the body of the expectant mother begins to actively produce certain hormones that have a tightening effect on the mucous membranes localized in the nasopharynx. As a result, a woman has such signs of a runny nose as mucous nasal discharge, difficulty in nasal breathing, swelling and possible snoring at night.
A pregnant woman may even show such a characteristic symptom as chills, a painful condition in which the patient throws herself into heat, then into cold. This clinical process is also provoked by a hormonal imbalance that manifests itself in early pregnancy.
Since most medications used for allergic or acute respiratory diseases are strictly contraindicated for expectant mothers, it is important to be able to distinguish a runny nose that is a manifestation of pregnancy from influenza or acute respiratory infections, or chronic rhinitis, which is often observed in adult patients.
In addition, runny nose and nasal congestion develop as a result of vasodilation, which is necessary for proper nutrition of the fetus. Vaporization of vessels affects the entire body, including the nasal cavity, which causes the appearance of mucous nasal secretions.
Signs of disease
What clinical manifestations, accompanied by a runny nose in adults, should alert and become a reason for contacting a specialist?
Colds, influenza, infectious and bacterial diseases, accompanied by difficulty in breathing and nasal discharge of a mucous nature, manifest themselves as the following additional symptoms:
- Headaches.
- Increase in body temperature up to 38 degrees and above.
- Joint and muscle pain.
- Feverish condition.
- Increased fatigue.
- Cough syndrome.
- Redness of the mucous membranes in the region of the oropharynx.
Allergies can also provoke the development of a runny nose. Specialists in the medical field distinguish the following signs of allergic rhinitis:
- Abundant transparent nasal discharge of a mucous nature.
- Impaired olfactory function.
- Increased lacrimation.
- The appearance of skin rashes of allergic origin.
- Frequent sneezing.
- Cough syndrome.
- Development of conjunctivitis.
If the above symptoms and clinical signs appear, the patient is strongly advised to consult a doctor! Diseases of a viral, allergic, bacterial or infectious origin require competent and timely treatment, especially when it comes to a pregnant woman!
What runny nose can be considered a manifestation of pregnancy?
Hormonal runny nose, which is one of the signs of pregnancy, can be distinguished from various pathological conditions with the help of certain, specific symptoms. Specialists in the medical field identify the first signs of a hormonal type of runny nose, typical for pregnant women:
- Increased salivation.
- Pigmentation of the skin.
- The manifestation of a clear venous pattern in the area of the mammary glands.
- Darkening of the areola.
- Flatulence.
- Disorders of intestinal peristalsis.
- Diarrhea intermittently followed by constipation.
- Convulsive syndrome affecting mainly the calf muscles.
- Possible .
It should be emphasized that if the runny nose is caused precisely by a change in the hormonal background during pregnancy, then the patient does not have such clinical symptoms as urticaria, inflammatory lesions of the larynx and nasopharynx, abundant nasal discharge of mucous or purulent-mucous nature, a significant increase in body temperature, cough reflex. Otherwise, we are talking about a disease that requires adequate treatment, while allergic or cold processes can develop during pregnancy, which greatly complicates subsequent therapy!
What causes a cold during pregnancy
The expectant mother's body is especially vulnerable to various viruses, microbes and other pathogens, this is due to hormonal changes and a weakened immune system. It is for this reason that colds and acute respiratory diseases while waiting for a baby are not rare, but quite alarming. Infections are especially dangerous in the first weeks of pregnancy, when the skeleton and vital organs of the future baby are being formed.
A cold in the early stages of pregnancy can even cause miscarriage. In addition, medical specialists identify the following undesirable complications that can be caused by an infectious or viral disease in a pregnant woman:
- Fetal hypoxia.
- Termination of pregnancy.
- Inflammatory processes affecting the genital area.
- Congenital anomalies in the development of organs and systems of the child, the formation of which occurred at the acute stage of the course of the pathological process.
Colds worsen the general condition of a woman, in addition, if nasal breathing is difficult, a pregnant woman has to breathe through her mouth, which significantly increases the risk of developing infectious processes. Allergic rhinitis often appears during pregnancy, as the expectant mother's sensitivity to various allergens increases many times over.
Treatment features
Hormonal runny nose, which occurs in a pregnant woman as a result of certain physiological processes, does not require any special. If the manifestations of rhinitis are associated with diseases of viral, infectious, respiratory origin, then competent and timely therapy is simply necessary!
How to treat colds and flu during pregnancy? First of all, the patient needs to consult with a qualified specialist who will prescribe the most effective and safe therapeutic course for her! Doctors prescribe medicines only in especially difficult cases, with a strong increase in body temperature and the presence of an acute infectious process.
Vasoconstrictor drops and nasal sprays are strictly contraindicated for pregnant women, as they can provoke serious fetal pathologies. With a runny nose, pregnant women are strongly advised by medical professionals to follow the following recommendations:
- Provide proper drinking regimen. Drink at least 2 liters of liquid per day, preferring mineral water, fruit drinks, herbal teas.
- Washing the nasal cavity with saline solution. The solution for this physiotherapy procedure can be prepared independently by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, or you can purchase a ready-made drug at a pharmacy (Solin, Dopfin, Aquamaris). It is recommended to carry out this manipulation 2-3 times during the day.
- Elevate pillows or headboard to drain blood from the head area.
- A good therapeutic effect is obtained by inhalation with the use of fir or eucalyptus essential oils, which have a pronounced disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effect.
- Beet or beet-carrot juice can be used to eliminate mucous nasal secretions and facilitate nasal breathing. To prepare the medicine, you need to chop the vegetables with a fine grater, squeeze the juice through gauze and add a couple of drops of vegetable oil to it. This drug is injected into the patient's nostrils according to the principle of ordinary drops.
The patient is advised to stay in bed and have a good rest. Short walks in the fresh air will also benefit the pregnant woman. It is strictly forbidden for a future mother to soar her legs in hot water, as this can provoke a miscarriage.
It is possible to cure a temperature that has risen no higher than 38 degrees without resorting to the use of antipyretic drugs. You can bring down the temperature with an ice compress placed on the forehead, or by wiping the patient's body with vodka mixed with table vinegar.
Primary runny nose can be eliminated by treating the area of the nasal passages with sea buckthorn or refined sunflower oil. This manipulation moisturizes the nasal passages, stops the inflammatory process, and also improves the functional state of the nasal mucosa.
What to do with hormonal rhinitis?
Although the hormonal runny nose caused by pregnancy is not dangerous and does not require special treatment, it causes a lot of discomfort and discomfort to the expectant mother.
If you have a chronic runny nose, you should regularly clean the nasal passages from the accumulation of mucous secretions and rinse the nasal cavity with soda or saline. A good therapeutic effect is given by washing with decoctions of sage, eucalyptus or chamomile.
Preventive measures
A runny nose during pregnancy is an unpleasant condition that, regardless of the reasons, negatively affects the well-being and mood of the expectant mother. The following extremely simple recommendations will help prevent the development of rhinitis:
- Avoid crowded places, especially during epidemics.
- Strengthen your immune system. Take special vitamin and mineral complexes for pregnant women.
- Ventilate the room regularly.
- Take outdoor walks as often as possible.
- Dress appropriately for the weather, avoiding both hypothermia and overheating.
- Moisten the room regularly to avoid dust accumulation.
Runny nose can be one of the signs of pregnancy, and may indicate the presence of a number of serious diseases. The expectant mother should be especially attentive to her health, therefore, when the first signs of rhinitis appear, it is recommended to seek advice from a qualified specialist who will identify the causes of this phenomenon and prescribe the patient an extremely safe and effective therapeutic course!
Mucosal inflammation can be a sign of early pregnancy. This process can occur for several reasons. Firstly, during the period of bearing a child, the body of the expectant mother is going through serious hormonal changes that lead to swelling in the mucous cavity. Secondly, the gestation period often provokes the formation of mucous secretions without infectious inflammation or an allergic reaction. In medical practice, this process is called rhinitis of pregnant women.
However, the first signs of rhinitis do not always indicate a mandatory pregnancy, and girls may not be afraid of an unplanned pregnancy. A runny nose as a sign of pregnancy appears only with a hormonal surge. You can make sure that you are pregnant with the help of tests or after a special test, which can be purchased at a pharmacy.
The nasal mucosa is a protective membrane of the respiratory organ and is designed to prevent colds. . In addition, the mucous membrane acts as a barrier to viruses and bacteria. When the body's immune system malfunctions, patients experience a violation of basic functions. As a result, the patient becomes susceptible to colds and viral inflammations.
The first signal of the beginning of the inflammatory process is the upper respiratory tract.
When this cavity swells, the patient feels pain and the impossibility of breathing through the nose.
Pathological processes also occur in the body during this period.
First of all, oxygen permeability is disturbed, which leads to soft tissue dysfunction.
Thus, the body can react to cold, too hot food, cavity trauma.
With a strong cooling of the body, the patient develops mucous discharge, sore throat, swelling of tissues, nasal voice, fever and other signs.
Getting rid of such rhinitis is easy . It is enough for the patient to take an anti-inflammatory agent and use vasoconstrictor drugs.
If the cause of the inflammation is penetration, it is much more difficult to cope with the inflammation. A viral infection can cause a range of acute symptoms and affect overall mood. In this case, the patient needs complex drug therapy.
Can a cold be a sign of pregnancy?
Colds and the first sign of pregnancy can only be associated with hormonal changes. However, such a sign does not occur until two months after the onset of pregnancy. At first, the expectant mother is worried about the delay in menstruation, fatigue and toxicosis.
Pregnancy rhinitis occurs with varying frequency under the following terms:
- at week 12 - in 27% of cases;
- at week 20 - in 37% of cases;
- at week 30 - in 40% of cases;
- at 36 weeks - in 42% of cases.
Thus, rhinitis appears in the middle of the term or already in the third trimester. In the first month of embryo development, such a sign is extremely rare.
Education is more typical for pregnant women in the middle of the term. At this stage, the embryo begins active growth, which requires a large amount of nutrients and nutrients.
At this stage, it is highly contraindicated for pregnant women to catch a cold, since oxygen starvation can cause the development of pathological processes in the baby's body.
The development of an infant requires a large amount of additional blood flow and a good ability to pass blood vessels to the placenta. At the same time, vasodilation is noted in the body. During this process, the body of the expectant mother produces a large number of hormones that provoke the expansion of the walls of blood vessels.
Remember that rhinitis while expecting a baby has no additional symptoms. It is not accompanied by an increase in body temperature and does not cause pain. With an increase in the secretion of mucous secretions, as well as severe nasal congestion and sore throat, you should consult your doctor.
Keep in mind that rhinitis during pregnancy is not accompanied by coughing, sneezing and other characteristic signs of acute respiratory infections or SARS. Therefore, with any additional symptom, it is important to visit an ENT doctor, and pregnancy has nothing to do with it.
Conclusion
When rhinitis develops without a delay in menstruation, one should not expect an early replenishment in the family. In this case, you have a cold or an allergen has entered the body. In this case, the patient needs to take urgent measures and use medication.
Cold as a sign of pregnancy - and what to do about it? Can a runny nose be a sign of pregnancy?
Many women planning a pregnancy try to determine the onset of conception even before the start of the menstrual cycle. They do this with the help of some signs that have already become generally accepted. At the beginning of pregnancy, a woman often feels weak, lethargic, often her temperature rises, chills begin. It is when this situation occurs that such a mild cold is often perceived as a sign of pregnancy. In addition to these symptoms, a woman may complain of drowsiness, nasal congestion, and even a runny nose.
Why does this feature occur?
Indeed, according to experts themselves, a cold can be a sign of pregnancy. Such a process often develops, since during this period the woman's body is especially weakened, so it lends itself to various viruses and infections. A catarrhal disease occurs in pregnant women immediately after conception due to a change in the hormonal background of the body. Thus, the adaptation of the expectant mother to the upcoming trials takes place, as it were.
Causes of nasal congestion
Nasal congestion may occur in women with delayed menstruation. This process is caused by the fact that progesterone, which is produced by the corpus luteum at the beginning of pregnancy, is able to retain fluid in the body, as a result of which the nasopharyngeal mucosa swells. At this time, due to nasal congestion, a woman may begin to snore, even if she has never snored before. It is this hormone that can cause an increase in body temperature, which, as a rule, does not rise above 37.5. An elevated temperature causes drowsiness in a pregnant woman even after a long night's sleep. In addition, a woman may experience fever and chills, which can be explained by the production of two hormones in the body - progesterone and estrogen, which cause such fluctuations in body temperature.
Despite the fact that a cold can often be a sign of pregnancy, it is still necessary to consult a specialist after the first symptoms appear, because SARS or influenza are a great danger to a child's life. If the following symptoms occur during pregnancy, you should definitely visit a specialist's office:
- obvious signs of SARS;
- deterioration in the well-being of a pregnant woman.
It is possible to regard a cold as the first sign of pregnancy only if the occurrence of this disease is excluded. It can be especially considered a manifestation of conception when symptoms appear at an atypical time for a cold.
How to behave properly?
At the beginning of pregnancy, the body temperature can rise to 38, due to the hormone of pregnancy - progesterone
Early pregnancy can manifest itself in the form of a slight cold in 80% of women. Such a process, which takes place in a weakened body, cannot cause any complications, so there are no serious reasons for concern. However, it is important to take measures aimed at alleviating the condition of the future mother, for these purposes it is necessary to entrust your health to the doctor, completely abandoning self-medication.
The most important thing that is required of a woman is to monitor her body temperature. It is allowed to increase it to 37.8, some experts say that in their practice there are cases when pregnant women had a temperature of 38 for a long time. the birth of a child. Such a runny nose should not be treated with special medications or folk remedies, since the cause of its occurrence is pregnancy, it is only necessary to wait for childbirth. It is also categorically worth refusing to lower the temperature with the help of special means, because such interference with the natural process can cause serious complications. The only thing that can be done with a runny nose is to carry out nasal washing procedures that facilitate nasal breathing, which improves sleep and the general condition of the expectant mother.
That is why it is so important to know what caused such changes in the body - a cold or pregnancy, after which it is possible to carry out treatment or take measures aimed at alleviating the woman's condition. Having discovered signs of a cold in early pregnancy, it is important to adhere to the following actions:
- observe bed rest;
- don't be nervous;
- drink warm tea;
- refuse to use medications.
Feeling unwell in the absence of a cold, it is useful for a pregnant woman to drink a cup of tea with honey and lie down in bed. Also, the expectant mother with the onset of pregnancy should sleep 2-3 hours more per day than before, and if necessary, increase the duration of rest. For the health of a woman and the full development of the fetus of a child, one must not forget about daytime sleep, one should go to bed immediately after the onset of fatigue.
Some women wonder how to tell the difference between pregnancy and a cold without the help of a specialist. However, it is impossible to do this on your own, since one state of the body does not exclude the occurrence of the second. Only specialists with joint efforts - a gynecologist and a therapist - can make the correct diagnosis.
In early pregnancy, immunity decreases, so you can often hear that a cold is a sign of pregnancy. This is an erroneous assertion, but it has its basis. Cold pathogens provoke a slight increase in temperature, and in the first trimester of pregnancy, a low temperature is kept. Not all women listen to changes in their body, but it is important to know how to respond to the same symptoms.
Symptoms requiring medical attention
The restructuring of the female body for bearing a fetus is a tremendous burden. It entails the reorganization of all body systems, including hormonal and immune. Therefore, on women's forums, questions like “Who has a cold as a sign of pregnancy?” And there are many positive responses with their real stories. It is especially surprising when girls who are resistant to seasonal viruses suddenly cover themselves with napkins in class to combat a runny nose. And then the question: “Are you pregnant?”
This is not regarded as a question, but as a sentence, is it related? Imagine that another life begins to develop in the female body, another heart will soon beat and a new defense system will form. Its functioning is provided by the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which produces the shell of the fetal egg, from which the placenta will form. This is a double burden, the viral barrier is weakened during pregnancy, the common cold is seen as a symptom.
Important: With a general decrease in immunity, the risk of infectious and viral diseases is high. Therefore, in early pregnancy, colds are regarded as one of the signs of conception.
Many women know that the causative agents of colds can adversely affect the health of the mother and child. Therefore, for those who are at the stage of pregnancy planning, it is better to consult a doctor if there is a suspicion of a fait accompli of fertilization. But how do you separate the symptoms of pregnancy from the signs of a cold?
In the first days after conception, women feel some discomfort, complain of weakness in the body, drowsiness. Chills, aches in the muscles or joints, a runny nose, perhaps just a stuffy nose, are often summed up to these sensations. By measuring the temperature, you can observe on the thermometer 37. 2 ° C (or so). There is a dry cough that appears when freezing.
Although doctors write “pregnancy” in the “diagnosis” column, this is not a disease, but a temporary state of the female body with its own symptoms. Therefore, doctors take every deviation from the norm seriously, but a cold before menstruation is not regarded as a sign of pregnancy. It only signals a weakened immune system.
How to behave in case of cold symptoms?
During sips, a sore throat, heaviness in the temples and some of the usual symptoms that you get used to with a cold are no reason to bring down the temperature with pills. The malaise of a pregnant woman, even if this condition is questioned, indicates the need to urgently consult a doctor. In the office, it is easier to clarify whether it is pregnancy, early signs, or a common cold in order to be registered or treated without complications.
Important: After the first symptoms of flu, sore throat, SARS or seasonal colds, choose an effective treatment that does not harm the unborn child and activates the mother's immunity. In each case, a different set of medications and folk remedies is selected. Not everything that is available in a pharmacy can be drunk uncontrollably by a pregnant woman!
As statistics confirms, cold symptoms at the beginning of pregnancy occur in 70% of women. The process can be expressed or in the form of unclear symptoms, but the more dangerous the complications are if you do not pay attention. Herpes or "cold" on the lips is also a sign of a decrease in immunity during pregnancy.
Tip: Even if you do not treat a cold with "aggressive" drugs, you need to activate the immune system. Honey, raspberries, lime blossom tea - all this will help fight bacilli or viruses. However, it is important to abandon self-medication and entrust your health to an experienced doctor.
Specialists' advice:
- It is impossible to “knock down” a low temperature - this is an indicator of the activation of the immune system.
- A runny nose should not be left untreated - this is shortness of breath and lack of oxygen, which is unacceptable during pregnancy!
- Use inhalations extensively using tincture of eucalyptus, decoction of oak bark, sage and coltsfoot. 3-4 five-minute inhalations with herbs under a terry towel are enough per day.
- With angina, it is imperative to gargle more often with a solution of sea salt, furatsilin and herbal tinctures.
- Nose drops should not be abused with a runny nose - they dry out the mucosa. Blockade with Galazolin or Sanorin is best done if necessary - work and training sessions. Pregnant women are prescribed to drip no more than 2-3 days. Additional heating in the nose area, the use of salt and aroma lamps with essential oils usually do not harm pregnant women.
- It will also be useful for hot herbal tea raspberry and currant jam, cranberries and lingonberries in the form of fruit drink, rosehip syrup, lemon in sugar and other medicinal delicacies.
- Physiotherapy during pregnancy is minimized, acceptable procedures are prescribed by a doctor.
- Homeopathic mixtures can be not only harmless, but also effective only with the input of a true homeopathic specialist who understands the dosage. Overdose from vitamin C is not observed, but you should not abuse multivitamins in pharmaceutical packaging, the benefits of them are minimal.
- During pregnancy, you can not drink immunomodulators in "horse" doses, they had to be taken before the new position.
Important: Feeling a cold as a sign of early pregnancy, it is better to stay in bed. Cancel all appointments by calling the doctor at home if there is a temperature.
It is advisable to give up pills and potions until an effective treatment is prescribed by doctors. Do not forget to rest during the day and breathe fresh air, but it is better to avoid visiting mass places where there may be carriers of seasonal viruses and colds.
Influence of the common cold on fetal development
All infectious diseases can be dangerous for the fetus during the first 4 weeks of pregnancy - until the placental barrier is formed at the fetal egg. However, most women do not pay attention to cold symptoms until the tummy is rounded. But when the placenta is formed, it will filter out all the aggressive components in the mother's blood.
Another danger is that many women are treated with the usual drugs, forgetting that they need to revise the list of medicines and take a sick leave. Do not ignore a cold as a sign of pregnancy before a delay. If you carry the flu or SARS "on your feet", the child may be born weakened and painful.
Pregnant women often use the following medicines:
- Paracetamol (fever, headache), it is safe for the fetus and effective for colds.
- Aquamaris, Humer (saline nasal spray), harmless to the mother and the early fetus.
- Pharyngosept has a bacteriostatic effect, a throat preparation, effective for pharyngitis and for cold side symptoms.
- Viburkol is often prescribed for pregnant women by doctors, known as an analgesic and sedative for colds, accompanied by fever and sore throat.
Attention: Other drugs should be taken only with the consent of the doctor. The main danger is in ignorance of the principle of action of the main component on the fetus!
If it seems to you that you have a cold as a clear symptom of pregnancy, there is no way to visit a doctor or go to a pharmacy in the next 24 hours, refuse drugs with a dubious effect on the embryo:
- antibiotics:
- Aspirin;
- Pertussin;
- Glycodin;
It is better to brew tea with linden flowers, drink it warm with honey and lemon or raspberry jam. Use onions and garlic in cooking. Whiskey can be smeared with Vietnamese Asterisk balm. Soar legs and take a hot bath for pregnant women in no case! If your pregnancy is confirmed by pharmacy tests, try to recover as soon as possible and take care of yourself in the future!
Now you can find out about pregnancy thanks to the test. However, do not ignore a cold as a sign of pregnancy. Even the usual runny nose, lethargy and fatigue can tell about conception.
There is a certain algorithm of how to understand whether a woman is in a position or not. Of course, you need to do a test that is sold in all pharmacies. When a second strip appears, you should consult a gynecologist. However, tests are often wrong, but the doctor can confirm or deny pregnancy, as well as indicate the period, mostly about 4 weeks.
The appearance of snoring and runny nose
After the conception has occurred, the woman begins hormonal restructuring, the body is rebuilt to carry the baby. In almost half of expectant mothers, this goes unnoticed, except that toxicosis is present, and only closer to childbirth. The rest begin to feel discomfort in the initial stages of pregnancy.
At night there is snoring, and very strong. The symptom is noticed by family members, but the woman herself notices the appearance of a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing or coughing. This can be attributed to various reasons - allergies, poor ecology, lack of humidity in the room, but mostly - to a cold.
Due to the fact that the body secretes hormones, the mucous membranes inside the nose are dried. It is this consequence of the symptoms that are similar to the usual acute respiratory infections. Women, not knowing that a cold can be a sign of pregnancy, begin to be treated on their own, which will harm the baby.
Can a cold be a sign of pregnancy, or what signs should I look out for? A venous mesh begins to appear on the chest. In addition, the areolas around the nipples darken, and pigmentation appears on the skin. The nose may bleed itself, there is profuse salivation.
Difficulties with peristalsis may occur that were not noticed before. A cold in early pregnancy appears as a sign:
- Age spots appear;
- Saliva profusely;
- Belly distended;
- Bleeding from the nose;
- Disturbing leg cramps;
- The chair is broken.
It should be noted that if a runny nose appeared due to hormonal imbalance, then the woman will not have skin reactions, fever or cough. If nasal discharge is accompanied by these signs, then this is a common cold or an allergy. These diseases are also manifested during pregnancy, which greatly exacerbates the situation.
Treatment of a cold
A cold before a delay as a sign of pregnancy is the norm, since the hormones progesterone and estrogen are active in the body of the expectant mother. This phenomenon can provoke temperature fluctuations, it can both drop as much as it rises.
Often, women in position observe subfebrile values on the thermometer. It is enough to drink hot tea and go to bed. Any disease implies bed rest. In pregnant women, this need is increased. Sleep time should be increased by several hours.
If a woman is thrown into a fever or there is an infection in the body, then medicines are indispensable. Drops and all kinds of nasal sprays can adversely affect the body. Treat a runny nose in a safe way:
- Establish a drinking regimen, preferably tea, compote.
- Rinse nose with sea salt solution. You can buy Aqua Maris or make your own solution. A spoonful of salt is taken in a glass of water, washed a couple of times a day.
- It is recommended to sleep with a raised headboard.
- Inhalations with the addition of essential oils are effective. For example, fir oil has antibacterial properties.
If critical days are delayed, it is imperative to visit a doctor. During pregnancy, you need to carefully monitor your health, because the health of the baby depends on it.
Source: www.materinstvo. ru
Now express pregnancy tests are sold in every pharmacy. They are effective from the first day of the expected menstruation, but it is often possible to obtain reliable results only after a few days of "delay". At the same time, any woman who is anxiously awaiting pregnancy wants to get an answer to the question as soon as possible: “yes” or “no”?
Becoming especially observant of her own body, the expectant mother notices some "suspicious" signs before the pregnancy test shows the correct result.
So, what are the main signs of pregnancy that appear in the first weeks?
We interviewed 170 women on the Maternity website, asking them to indicate the main signs of pregnancy they noticed. The survey data is shown in parentheses.
1. No regular menstruation (34%)
The most common sign of pregnancy. But sometimes it can be caused by hormonal changes in the body or various diseases. And if a woman has an unstable cycle, or it has not yet been established after previous births, then she often does not pay attention to the “delay” until other signs appear, sometimes up to several weeks and even months.
2. Breast soreness/tenderness (28%)
Many women experience this feeling every time their period approaches. In this case, when pregnancy occurs, breast tenderness may be unusually severe. Of course, this is one of the most common signs of pregnancy.
3. Hypersensitivity to odors (11%)
Many women report this symptom as very significant. Favorite perfume suddenly becomes unbearable, people in the subway seem terribly "stinky", the husband is guilty of shamelessly abusing cologne.
4. Breast enlargement (8%)
Relatively few women report this symptom in the first weeks of pregnancy. Usually the breast increases significantly in later periods. But a slight increase in the known observation may be noticeable even earlier.
5. Morning sickness (5%)
In most women, morning sickness, or more commonly referred to as early morning sickness, begins around 7 weeks and continues until 12 weeks of pregnancy. But sometimes nausea makes itself felt from a very early date.
6. Strange sensations in the lower abdomen (5%)
Some women call this intuition. Others note sipping, or tingling in the lower abdomen. Sometimes the pain is quite strong and prolonged. And sometimes the expectant mother cannot even accurately determine her feelings, she simply feels that "there is something there."
7. Changes in eating habits (5%)
In the first weeks of pregnancy expectant mothers sometimes notice a sharp increase in appetite. Others, on the contrary, complain of a decrease in appetite up to its complete absence. It is not uncommon for a woman to radically change her menu, showing a deep distaste for familiar foods and a sudden craving for previously hated ones.
8. Mood swings, tearfulness (4%)
Some women note this sign of pregnancy as the very first. However, women with premenstrual syndrome experience mood swings before the start of each cycle.
9. Frequent urge to urinate
This item was not included in the survey, but many women mention it in their responses as one of the first signs of pregnancy.
10. Weight change
As a rule, the expectant mother begins to gain weight at a later date, from about 2-3 months of pregnancy. And in the first weeks of pregnancy, some women even notice weight loss.
11. Increased body temperature
In some women, in the first weeks of pregnancy, the body temperature rises to 37-37.2 degrees, and sometimes accompanied by a headache. If nasal congestion is added to this, which is also one of the possible signs of pregnancy, then this condition can easily be mistaken for a cold.
12. Elevated basal body temperature
Women who plan pregnancy and monitor their basal body temperature notice an increase instead of the usual decrease before menstruation.
13. Drowsiness, fatigue
This symptom is also often indicated among the first signs of pregnancy. Although, of course, drowsiness can be caused by a variety of reasons, in combination with other signs, it can suggest a possible pregnancy.