FertilityZone

Your immune system is lowered slightly during pregnancy in order to stop your body rejecting your unborn baby. This means that you are more vulnerable to viral infections, such as coughs, colds and flu.

You can't protect yourself from every cold virus, but you can help to boost your immune system by following these tips from NHS Direct:

• Eat a healthy diet including plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods - a balance of these will give you minerals and antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, which help to fight infections.

• Swap caffeinated drinks for herbal teas, water or fruit juice - these can help flush out your system and boost your levels of vitamins and minerals.

• Make sure you get plenty of rest and try to keep your stress levels to a minimum.

• If you smoke, give it up, as it damages your immune system. Find out more about quitting during pregnancy.

• Keep fit - exercise can help boost your circulation and your immune system. (Find out more about exercising safely in pregnancy).

You may also choose to take a vitamin and mineral supplement specifically formulated for pregnant women but, apart from folic acid, a varied and well-balanced diet usually gives you all the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy.

You should never use over-the-counter remedies or herbal remedies without first checking with your midwife, GP or pharmacist that they are safe to take during pregnancy.

Many aren't, as they contain substances, such as decongestants, that haven't been tested for safety during pregnancy and could affect your baby's development and health. Some contain caffeine and even alcohol.

If you need to take painkillers, it's safe to take the recommended dose of paracetamol. However, you should avoid aspirin as it can affect your baby's development in the early weeks and, in late pregnancy, affect the onset and length of your labour.

Ibuprofen, codeine and painkillers that contain a combination of drugs should be avoided, too.

Avoid taking large doses of vitamin C as this can give you stomach ache, wind and diarrhoea. The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C for adults is 40mg.

Vapour rubs, such as Vicks, and non-medicated cough lozenges are both safe. If you need more information you can speak to a trained nurse about over-the-counter medicines on the Consumer Health Information Centre (CHIC) advice line 0208 742 7042 or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

There are lots of safe, natural ways to help alleviate cough and cold symptoms:

• Eat nutritious foods - a well-balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will give you the right amounts of vitamins and minerals, carbohydrate, protein and fat.

• For a cold with a stuffy nose, try a steam inhalation. With a towel over your head, lean over a bowl of hot water with two or three drops of eucalyptus oil or Olbas oil added and inhale to help clear the congestion.

• For a sore throat and cough, make up a soothing drink of hot water, honey and lemon.

• Gargling with salt water or sucking throat sweets can help ease a sore throat.

• Rest when you feel you need to - sleep helps your body to heal itself.

• Drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost through all the extra mucus your body is producing or sweating, if you have a fever. Warm drinks are especially soothing when you have a cold - try rosehip tea, which is rich in vitamin C.

The symptoms of flu - fever, headaches, chills, achiness, fatigue and loss of appetite - can really lay you low when pregnant. This is your body's way of telling you that you need to take it easy.

Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have a fever, to avoid dehydration. Vitamin C-rich fruit juices, such as orange juice, will help you fight off the infection, while a drink of hot water, lemon and honey will help soothe a sore throat.

Try not to get overheated, as it is best to maintain a normal temperature - paracetamol can help control your temperature. (Read more on treating a fever safely in pregnancy).

Although you won't feel like eating at first, when you do, try to eat something nutritious, such as fruit, wholegrain toast, or a warm, milky drink. Get plenty of bed rest, nap when you feel the need and don't get up or go back to work until you are fully recovered.

If you're not getting better within a few days, go and see your GP as a secondary infection may have set in. During pregnancy it's not recommended that you have a flu vaccine unless your doctor advises you otherwise or you are a healthcare professional working directly with patients.

However uncomfortable you may feel when you have flu, rest assured that your baby is well protected against the virus within your womb. However, if you have a very high temperature, seek the advice of your GP.

You can help yourself by taking the recommended dose of paracetamol, which is safe to use while pregnant, and getting as much rest as you can. It's important that you give yourself time to recover completely before picking up your daily routine again.


If you have a persistent cough or cold that doesn't seem to be lifting, talk to your GP as you may have a secondary infection, such as a chest infection, that will need treatment. If you have any worries about your health, always consult your GP or midwife who won't mind answering your queries, however minor you may feel they are.

There are many antibiotics which are safe to take during pregnancy, but some aren't, so make sure your doctor knows you are pregnant before prescribing for you.

Penicillins are safe to take, but tetracyclines can cause minor fetal abnormalities early in pregnancy and cause discolouration of your baby's first and permanent teeth if given later in pregnancy.

Never take antibiotics that are left over from a previous prescription and always finish the course you are given.

It often coincides with a BFP Laura. Sore throat, coldy feelings, a bit crappy ....it's all good

Errr yeah...... I don't think it applies to men mmmmmm ... unless your HCG levels are a bit dodgy...


nice try though