Childbirth and Head Cold

Hi--

Just wondering why you have to be induced? In a natural state your body wouldn't go into labor if it couldn't handle it. Forcing labor may not go well if your body isn't ready and you may end up in a c-section. Have you considered pushing the time until you are well? This may not be convenient for your doctors, but you need to take care of you so you can take care of your baby. I would say unless there's a very good reason why you need to be induced, wait until you are better and let her come naturally when your body and baby decide it is time. If you can't wait then breastfeeding will help the baby because of the natural anti-bodies the breast milk will deliver. You may not want to wear a mask initially as the bonding process happens in the first two hours after birth--seeing your face will be important for your baby if you can do it.

I'm not sure that was helpful to you, but just thought I would toss it out there.
Good luck in whatever happens, and may you have a beautiful, healthy baby!!

J.

2 moms found this helpful

I have to say that when a woman is getting ready to give birth, her body must break down in some fashion to be ready to birth the baby. i had head colds about two weeks prior to birthing both my babies, and i know many women who did the same. However, the fact that you are being induced means that your body isn't being given the opportunity to recover from the cold, it is being artificially forced into labor when it may not be ready. Despite that, your baby, if breastfed will be getting all the antibodies that you have already built up against the cold you have. Colostrum is full of great things to prevent babies from getting sick, and breast milk is designed to keep your baby healthy. As long as you are breastfeeding, i think there is absolutely no need to wear a mask at all, i wouldn't worry about it! As for comfort during labor, i have no idea. Could your doctor postpone your induction a few days? If not, remember, it is just a short time and I will imagine you will be so focused on what you are doing, your cold will hardly bother you. Good luck and have a wonderful birth!

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My sister came down with a cold the day before my home birth delivery. I didn't catch the cold until the day after, but my guess is that all of the adrenaline of childbirth would take care of much of the congestion. I was very congested when my daughter was just a day old, but she never caught anything--all of those great breast antibodies really do the trick. If you are in the hospital anyway, you can trust there are tons of germs floating around and babies are amazingly resilient.

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I too got sick about a week before delivery. My midwife said it was fairly common because of the drain on a woman's system at the end of term. I went into labor naturally and to my surprise it happened while I was still sick. In my case the intensity of labor completely eclipsed any sick feelings I had. I did have a home birth and my baby never caught a thing. I would avoid inducing if at all possible. Your body has the wisdom to know when to give birth--even if you are sick!

Drinking a mixture with equal parts vitamin C crystals & baking soda (balances the pH) has worked well for hurrying a cold away. May you have an awesome (and quick!) birth however you do it :-)

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Hi D.! I am a birth doula and childbirth educator. I am wondering if it might be wiser to wait and go into natural labor - and have the chance to get over your head cold and ease into a labor pattern? I'm not sure why you are inducing, but letting your body tell you when it's ready for labor will likely coincide with feeling better - Mother Nature knows best ;)

Best of luck - hope you feel better soon!!

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I was extremely ill before my daughter's birth. I followed the doctor's advice and still got sicker each day, ended up w/ pneumonia. Three days before she was born (on her due date), I had had enough. I was "sick and tired" of fearing I would die before I had her or that I would give her pneumonia and she would die. I went to the health food store and got all of the herbs that my Naturopathic Dr. had told me he couldn't recommend I take (because they weren't approved for pregnant women). I knew that if his wife had the same symptoms, she would have already taken them and nipped the cold in the bud. I took them all and by the time my water broke, I was so far improved, and my cold virtually disappeared after I had her. I would get NeilMed (a sinus flush--do it gently and don't squeeze too hard), colostrom, olive leaf tincture in juice, echinacea/goldenseal (glycerin form), drink hot teas, take epsom salts baths (1 cup w/ each), use a humidifier, rub Vick's & or essential oils on your chest, feet & spine. AND I would definitely breastfeed 100% (NO FORMULA) so your baby can have the immune boosting benefits and she will be just fine. Last, but not least, try to relax and trust both your body and hers to take care of themselves and eachother!!!

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There are so many germs flying around in the air everywhere we go, there is no reason to wear a mask with your new baby. How will your baby ever have any immunity fighters in his/her little body if you try to keep him/her away from germs? It's impossible and not expsoing them to life and the germ world we live in could do more harm than good.

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