Everything changes when you become pregnant. From the size of your belly to the speed at which your heart beats also changes over the nine months leading up to childbirth. Immune system is naturally decreased. When the winters or monsoon season comes which is basically a cold and flu season, you may contract a cold or a cough. But contracting a cold during pregnancy isn’t cause to panic. Cold during pregnancy is not dangerous for your baby, but be prepared to sniffle, feel fatigued, with a sore throat, and may be a fever. In the past, you might have taken an over-the-counter medicine, but now you cannot.

According to the University of Michigan Health System and most doctors, it’s best to avoid all medications in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. That’s a critical time for the development of your baby’s vital organs. Many doctors also recommend caution after 28 weeks. Speak with your doctor before taking any medication if you’re pregnant, or trying to get pregnant.

Hence, it is important you take all possible measures to avoid contracting a cold.

Flu vaccination:

Getting a flu vaccination helps protect pregnant women and their babies for up to six months after birth. So, it’s important for pregnant women to be up-to-date on their vaccination schedule.

Maintain Hygiene:

Take extra effort to wash your hands more frequently when you are around those who have a cold or cough.

Maintain healthy lifestyle:

Make sure you are eating nutritiously and getting the necessary amount of sleep and exercising on a regular basis. In addition to this, it is important that you take your prenatal vitamins, as well as probiotics.

Here are some safe remedies for pregnant women while dealing with cold:

Sleeping Propped Up:

Sleeping with your head and upper body slightly inclined allows for better sinus drainage and makes it easier for you to breathe through a stuffy nose.

Apply Warm Compress:

The cold may block your sinus due to nasal congestion. This will cause pain. You can alleviate the pain with a warm compress. Apply the compress several times during the day to get relief

Get ample rest :

Take naps, sleep through the night, and sit down to relax. These are great ways to give your body much needed down time.

Stay hydrated:

Drink lots of warm beverages to stay hydrated and lessen your congestion. While it seems like an old wives’ tale, it actually works. Warm beverages are markedly better at providing relief from a runny nose, a cough, sneezing, a sore throat, chills and tiredness compared with drinks that are room temperature.