What should pregnant women do if they catch a cold
Release time : 08/22/2025 09:30:04
During pregnancy, one of the most feared things for expectant mothers is getting sick.
Once she gets sick, not only will the pregnant mother's own immunity decline, but she will also recover very slowly because she cannot take the medicine casually. Over time, it will easily affect the fetus.
Therefore, pregnant mothers do not want to get sick, even if it is just a small cold.
What should pregnant women do if they catch a cold? Is it possible for a pregnant woman's cold to affect the fetus? How should a pregnant woman care for a cold after contracting one? What should pregnant women do if they catch a cold? Once pregnant women know they are pregnant, they tend to be very careful about their daily life and especially want to avoid catching a cold or getting feverish.
It's pretty good in the summer; you don't get cold easily.
As winter approaches, many pregnant women, despite their best efforts to protect themselves, still catch a cold.
In that case, what should I do if I have a cold during pregnancy? 1. For mild colds, rest more. If you have a mild cold and only experience symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, or mild coughing, there is generally no need to take medication. Pregnant women should rest more and drink plenty of water regularly.
This kind of cold usually lasts for a week without treatment.
2. For colds and coughs, using salt water can be beneficial. If you start to feel a cough with a scratchy throat, you can rinse your mouth or throat with salt water every ten minutes for 10-15 times. After a few days, you should notice the effects.
Additionally, drinking warm honey and lemon water can alleviate symptoms of a cold and cough.
3. When suffering from a cold with a stuffy nose and runny nose, consuming chicken soup can help clear the respiratory tract of viruses.
Moreover, pregnant women drinking chicken soup can also enhance their resistance and avoid catching a cold again.
4. Colds and fevers need to be reduced. If a pregnant woman not only has a cold, but also has a fever, the first thing to do is to reduce the fever for the pregnant woman through physical cooling. If the physical method is ineffective, you need to go to the hospital in time for examination and treatment.
Does a pregnant woman's cold affect the fetus? Pregnant women are unwilling and dare not get sick. In addition to not wanting to suffer physically, the most important thing is that they are afraid that their illness will affect the fetus.
Even if it is a common cold and a running nose, pregnant mothers will consider this aspect.
So, will a cold in pregnant women affect the fetus? If the cold during pregnancy is not very serious, but just a general cold, such as sneezing, runny nose, and no fever, the pregnant woman will recover within 7 days without taking medicine.
These colds generally do not affect the abdomen or the fetus.
But if you have a cold during pregnancy and have a severe fever, it may affect the fetus.
Especially when pregnant women have a high fever that persists, the cold at this time is caused by the influenza virus.
In the early stages of pregnancy, viruses and bacteria can infect the fetus through the placenta, which may affect the development of the fetus. In severe cases, it may cause fetal malformations such as hydrocephalus and congenital heart disease.
In the late stages of pregnancy, due to the fetus being fully developed, severe common colds in pregnant women may cause toxic substances from the cold to stimulate the uterus, leading to premature delivery of the fetus. In severe cases, it may even result in fetal death.
Therefore, whether in the prenatal stage or any other stage, pregnant women must pay attention to their bodies and take appropriate measures to keep warm when going out to avoid catching cold due to exposure.
Can pregnant women drink ginger soup for colds? There is a belief that consuming medication during pregnancy may lead to fetal malformations, and many expectant mothers have heard this rumor and taken it to heart.
In case of illness during pregnancy, such as a cold or fever, you may wish to heal it through dietary therapy.
However, during pregnancy, it is not advisable to consume everything; certain foods can be detrimental to fetal development.
Can pregnant women drink ginger tea when they have a cold? Ginger is spicy and warm, beneficial to the lungs, stomach, and spleen meridians.
Upon entering the stomach, it possesses warming, antiemetic, dispersing cold, and dispelling phlegm to relieve cough effects.
Upon entering the Lung Meridian, it has the functions of resolving phlegm and promoting sweating.
Generally speaking, as long as a pregnant woman does not have an allergy to ginger, she can generally consume ginger soup.
Pregnant women can drink ginger tea without any impact on the fetus and can also treat common colds caused by air conditioning.
If you add a spoonful of brown sugar to ginger tea, not only will the taste of the ginger be enhanced, but it will also achieve the effect of warming and dissipating cold. For treating cold in pregnancy, ginger tea is a very good dietary therapy.
Can pregnant women take medication for colds? Everyone usually goes to the pharmacy and buys a few cold medicine pills or several packets of cold liquid tablets, and then takes them home after taking them, falls asleep, and is almost fine.
However, due to the unique physical condition of pregnant women and the health of the fetus in utero being the most significant concern for expectant mothers.
Therefore, many pregnant women are afraid to take medication for colds after giving birth.
Can pregnant women take medicines for cold? Women who are pregnant can have changes in their body enzyme that may affect how they metabolize certain medicines.
If the drugs in a pregnant woman are not detoxified or excreted, poisoning may occur over time.
In addition, fetal organs have begun to form in the first trimester, and taking medicine by a pregnant mother may easily affect the development of the fetus.
Therefore, for the health of the fetus, pregnant women should try to avoid taking medicine after catching a cold.
If you have a serious cold during pregnancy and last for a long time, or if you have a high fever that does not subside, you must take medicine to cure it. You need to prescribe drugs in the hospital.
Because over-the-counter drugs may contain certain ingredients that have not been tested for safety during pregnancy, and even contain caffeine or alcohol, pregnant women can affect the fetus after taking them.
How can pregnant women prevent colds? Winter is here, the weather is relatively cold, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Many pregnant women are prone to catching colds if they are not in good health.
However, after a pregnant woman has a cold, it is better if it is not serious. If the cold is more serious, it will easily affect the fetus.
Therefore, preventing colds during pregnancy is crucial to every pregnant mother.
Let's take a look at how to prevent colds during pregnancy.
First, eat as light as possible. Although pregnant women need to supplement a lot of nutrients during the process of giving birth to their babies, their diet should be as light as possible and maintain scientific eating habits.
Additionally, pregnant women must avoid overeating and excessive consumption of nutrients.
Second, the number of trips should be less frequent. In cold winter, pregnant women should reduce the number of trips they go out and participate in less strenuous exercise.
If you want to exercise, you should choose indoor exercise or exercise by doing some housework.
Moreover, the duration of exercise should not be too long; about thirty minutes is sufficient.
Thirdly, take proper warmth measures. Pregnant women often catch colds due to changes in temperature or wearing too few clothes. If you feel comfortable indoors, wear less; if you're outdoors, wear more, especially in winter.
Fourth, prevent infection. If you go out during pregnancy, it is best to wear a mask, especially when going for a check-up at the hospital. Wearing a mask can prevent you from getting infected by a person with influenza.
After you go out, you should remember to wash your hands in time so that you don't get infected by bacteria or viruses.
The medical information provided in this text is for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
In the event of discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on a face-to-face consultation with a medical professional.