Surviving Allergy Season While Pregnant

I had the same issues and I'm now nine months. Claritin helped me a little too, but I also used a saline nose spray in the morning and at night to help clear out all the allergens that I ran into during the day. I did all the other normal allergy stuff too, like keeping windows closed especially in early evening, and I cleaned out the filter in my A/C unit. I was still on occasion quite miserable but the little things seemed to help somewhat. Hope that helps.

You are probably allergic to ragweed - it's really bad right now. I'm also suffering and don't like to take drugs. Be sure to avoid all melons as that can make your symptoms worse - especially canteloupe.

Unfortunately, being pregnant interferes with the normal allergy routines. You must take something for your sinuses because you will get a sinus infection and, believe me, you don't want that while you are pregnant. Claritin is good at taking the edge off, but a decongestant would be better...but, I don't think you can take most of the ones out there while pregnant. My doctor recommended Mucinex this season because my allergies are so bad; you should check with your ob/gyn to see if this would be okay while pregnant. It is over the counter, so no prescription needed. It should thin your mucus up enough to avoid the infection and headaches. You could also try looking at your diet and see if anything seems to make your allergies worse or better. I have not researched it, but I have heard that your diet can actually affect your seasonal allergies. You should check into it. Maybe cutting out some of the milk and eating more yogurt, cheese, and ice cream might help. I know I can't have a lot of milk when I have a cold because my sinuses can't handle the extra mucus. Good luck!

One thing that helps with clearing out the sinues is flushing your sinuses out regularly with salt water. It doesn't necessarily solve the problem but being able to breath clearly even for a little while is such a relief.

You might also look at a air purifier in your bedroom, check all your bedding and see if any parts of it are possibly causing the problem. New pillows. And get someone else to clean your house of any dust.

Also naturopaths and accupuncture are sometimes very effective with allergies. It should be someone who's very familiar with working with pregnant women.

I don't know about allergies, but I spent almost my entire pregnancy with an enourmous amount of mucus being produced, wich caused sinus headaches from time to time and lots of sneezing. I was told by my OB that it was normal and to just keep blowing my nose. If I had irritation from the tissue, to use a lotion or chapstick. My headaches tended to flare up when it would get expecially humid out right before a rainy day. No amount of Tylenol would help and I would just want to lay around and do nothing.
If you have the itchy/watery eyes that go along with allergies, by all means, keep taking your approved medicine. But if it's just being "stuffed up" that's the problem, that is most likely pregnancy related and you can stop taking the medicine. I increased my water intake and would use a warm washcloth on my forehead.

Here's a related article...

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth...

Gaia Herbs has an herbal blend called "Aller-Leaf". It is a little expensive, but to me this is worth the cost to no lnger have to take "the other stuff". The herbs act like an efferdent, and not only clear you up, but give you natural energy. This will be great for you during the day, but at night you might want the claritin so you are not "wide awake" or anything. Hope I helped! Good luck-allergies are sooooo frustrating!

Hi - I had horrible allergies with my last pregnancy. The ONLY thing that worked for me was Zyrtec. Talk to your dr. It is prescription only but it works! :-)

J.,
I have horrible allergies and when people ask what I am allergic to, it is simplier to say, "oxygen" because everything outdoor is evil to me. So, when I was pregnant, I was not even given the comfort of claritin. Sudafed was all I was allowed, even though I was taking claritin. The sudafed did nothing for me. So, here were my survival tactics. Showers helped alot, some cold medications are ok to take, so ask your dr. The other good thing I can tell you that is happy news. The first freeze is not far away and that will help considerably. Also try some saline sprays, they help a bit, which is better than nothing. Ice packs on my face was a good thing as well. I'm not sure what your allergic to, but it may sound stupid, but stay away from being outdoor if your enemy is trees, grass, etc. In Omaha, we have had a lot of rain in August and so far in Sept that has made everything green again for a while, which has made ragweed and such florish again. It's waxing at the moment, but it will wain given some time.

Good Luck.

hi, i had horrible allergies when i was pregnant also... i also took claritin... but that only worked temporarily... and on occasion... i used a nasal spray also... but other than that... i just had to suffer... =( i had to deal with it almost my entire pregnancy... maybe the spray will help you?

I would definitley say to check your air filter in your home. While I was pregnant with my first child...I had horrible trouble with allergies, and we didn't think about the air filter being an issue. It was, we started changing it every month during the bad time of allergy season and that helped. Also, make sure not to have your windows open too much because that only let's in all that pollen and allergen triggers. Try sleeping with your head elevated even more than just a pillows width. Hopefully these little things help a bit.