Safe, Effective Cold Relief During Pregnancy

So, it’s winter…and you’re pregnant…and you’ve got a cold. Miserable? Yeah, we don’t blame you. To top it off, the list of meds you can take to feel better gets pretty small when you’re pregnant. It’s OK—here are some all-natural methods for relieving cold symptoms that won’t put you or baby at risk!

Stay Hydrated. The Institute of Medicine recommends around 10 cups of fluid (water, clear broth or warm lemon water) each and every day of your pregnancy. When sick, increase your daily intake to 12 or 13 cups of water a day. Your body will need the extra fluid.

Apple Cider Vinegar. Known for its great antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar creates an alkaline environment that most illnesses can’t survive in. Mix a tablespoon or two into your morning tea, 2-3 times a day. You can even gargle it to help soothe a sore throat.

Get Rest. It’s time to take it easy. Your body needs to heal, and that won’t happen by running yourself down. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, and if you have a hard time lying down with your stuffy nose, sleep propped up for extra support and to encourage sinus drainage.

Raw Garlic. According to multiple studies, raw garlic is known in the natural health world as one of the most effective remedies for aiding sickness recovery. Crush one clove, and consume it with your meal or mix it into water for a quick drink.

Gargle Saltwater. A natural cold-remedy classic, putting a quarter teaspoon of salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water and gargling is a great way of temporarily relieving a scratchy throat; it can also be put into a neti pot and used to clear the sinus passageways and help fight congestion.

Vitamin D. An already critical vitamin during pregnancy, vitamin D will not only help expectant moms fight off contracting sickness in the first place but will also encourage a speedy recovery if a cold does happen. Even when not sick, vitamin D plays a huge role in transferring calcium from mom to baby, among other things.

Chiropractic Care. Not only is chiropractic a drug-free way of treating cold symptoms, it’s a safe, effective therapy that may ensure a healthier pregnancy! Your chiropractor can help by removing subluxations, or misalignments, in the spine, encouraging the body to heal and function at its full potential. This can help you overcome your cold faster—and fight off viruses better in the future.

When to See a Doctor

While all of these methods can be incredibly helpful for dealing with cold symptoms, it’s even more important to know when it’s time to call your doctor. During pregnancy, “soldiering through” is not a safe path. Here are some indicators that you need to get to a doctor:

• Decreased appetite/water consumption for more than a couple days
• Fever over 100 degrees
• Severe sore throat
• Coughing up yellow/green mucus
• Symptoms lasting longer than two weeks
• Additional symptoms that indicate you may have the flu, a sinus infection or strep throat

Disclaimer: This post is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.