Patient's question:
I am 5 and a half months pregnant. I have had a slight cold these last couple of days, but no fever, no headache, just a bit stuffy nose. Should I take medicine? Will it affect the baby?Doctor's answer:
Hello: It is best not to take medication. If a pregnant woman gets a cold, she can take medication under the guidance of an obstetrician, but in the early stages of the cold, she can also use the following methods to cure the cold without taking medicine or getting injections.(1) When the throat feels itchy and sore at the beginning of a cold, use strong salt water to rinse the mouth and throat every 10 minutes. After about 10 rinses, you should start to feel better.
(2) Drinking chicken soup can relieve nasal congestion and runny nose symptoms during a cold and is also effective in clearing respiratory viruses. Drinking chicken soup regularly can enhance the body's natural immunity and prevent colds. Adding some pepper, ginger, or other seasonings to the soup, or eating it with noodles, can also help cure a cold.
(3) Pour about 42°C (108°F) hot water into a thermos cup. The person with a cold can place their mouth and nose inside the cup and continuously inhale the hot steam. Do this three times a day.
(4) When a pregnant woman coughs, beat one egg until well mixed, add a small amount of white sugar and ginger juice, and mix with half a cup of warm water. Taking this mixture 2–3 times can help stop the cough.