Help I've Got a Cold and I Just Found Out I'm Pg... I'm Miserable

Updated on August 09, 2008
V.W. asks from Eden, UT
27 answers

Ok, so if any, ANY of my close buddies recognize me on this I'll be so embarrassed. We (hubby and I) aren't telling anyone we are expecting until after the first visit and we get the all clear. SO, if you read this, PLEASE stay calm! I've been ttc #2 for 5 years this month.

NOW, yesterday I came down with what I thought was just a regular terrible cold. I didn't take anything for it, just fluids and tried to get rest. I was hoping it was just because I went to bed with my hair wet. I'm at day 33 today, woke up BEYOND miserable so sent hubby to get the test. Came out positive. Called the doc, appt set for the 18th yada yada, can't have anything except pseudofed for the cold and at that only small doses which aren't doing a thing. I understand the reasons, but I need some healthy solutions. My 6 year old is getting great at being my nurse, but momma gotta get UP!! I've tried vicks vapo rub, a hot shower, lying still, walking a lot (which made me So tired!), sleeping a lot (not terribly sleepy, though the fatigue is gaining speed!) And my brain is very much NOT WORKING! Any help would be great.

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So What Happened?

Thanks to you ALL for the great responses. I was able to suffer a little less by using some of your helpful hints. Vicks on the feet at night, sleeping with my head up (which was about the ONLY way I could sleep), hot shower (mostly steam), warm liquids to cut through the crap in my throat in the morning. I was nearly 100% all better in one week. I've still got a stuffy nose, but that comes with pregnancy sometimes! And all is well so far with that. I'm on progesterone and only occasionally do I get nausea.
Thanks again for your help!!!

Featured Answers

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A.C.

answers from Boise on

hi V. my names A. and i dont have any suggestions that you havnt already tried but i just wanted to say congrats!

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C.T.

answers from Salt Lake City on

The best pregnancy cold remedy I ever found was water. Drink as much as you can handle, and it really does help with congestion. Good luck!

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M.G.

answers from Denver on

My doctor told me to take childrens cold medicines when I was pregnant, as the doses aren't as strong, and the small ammount that is transferred through the umbilical cord will not harm the fetus. I hope that helps some!

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A.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

TTC#2=trying to conceive baby #2
I got the greatest tip from my girls a few months back-Vicks on your feet! Socks over that, & it clears up congestion (NO idea how, but it's great!!) I've got the store brand, not real Vicks, by the way.
Also, hot tea w/lemon & sometimes honey in it will help clear up the mucus.
Chicken noodle soup (the canned stuff, condensed) w/as much cayenne pepper as you can stand.
All 3 of them together should help you feel better. Also though, some people are just stuffy their entire pregnancy-hopefully you're not one of them!
Congrats on your miracle!!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.T.

answers from Denver on

I have not read any posts, but understand how bad it is when you take take medicine to help. Two things that have helped me in the same situation: 1. Sudafed Plug Ins - they look like an air freshener, and along with a humidifier, helped tremendously at night. Be sure you close your door to keep the air more dense with the smell. It's like Vicks Vapo Rub for the air. 2. I don't know who makes them but they're called "Shower Soothers" again, they are like Vicks vapo rub but in a warm shower which helps break down the mucus as well.

Hang in there - it will get better. I feel for you. Feel better.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Provo on

My pediatrician said any of the sudafed remedies were fine. I found the Cold and Cough one to help the best. The 12 hour was so strong that it sometimes made me jittery. Sometimes I would just take half a dose, but when I felt real bad, that's what worked the best!

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A.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I have no idea what ttc#2 means. Could someone please tell me? I still have hard time figuring things out...I gueass I'm just slow.

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L.C.

answers from Denver on

Hi V.,

Congratulations! and sorry you aren't feeling well.

It's a proven fact that fruits and veggies support the immune function. Juicing really helps when I am not feeling well and cuts the length of my colds(I hardly ever get sick, but when I do, this works great) I also take Juice Plus to bridge the gap of what I can't won't and don't eat. check it out at www.DenverJuicePlus.com

I hope you feel better soon.

L. C
###-###-####

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J.R.

answers from Denver on

I had a cold for much of my second pregnancy and I was miserable too! My OB said the hormones from my pregnancy increased the phlem in my sinuses. I was miserable! There's not a lot you can do. I bought some sea salt spray that I'd spray in my nose about every 30 minutes and that seemed to help. Try to get lots of pillows to keep your head upright when you sleep. I also got some of those nose strips to hold my nasal passages open. I even wore them around the house (although not in public). That helped too. Eventually, I went to the doctor and got some low risk antibiotics for a sinus infection. It was the only way I could function. Good luck!

Good luck!

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J.S.

answers from Denver on

Hey V., when my step daughter went through the same thing I gave her a very NON intrusive remedy called del-immune.
www.del-immune.com.......magic stuff at any point in life. She also gave it to her baby while teething & it took away the pain & sensitivity (not so much constant crying). Check it out and let me know if you're up for buying it. It's not in stores yet but I'm a distributor. Just looking to get the word. Keep breathing, J. www.tag-youre-it.com ###-###-####

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S.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Hi V.,
Great ideas on other emails, if they don't work ask your doctor if you can take mucinex, it is the only thing that works for me when congested and doesn't make me sleepy but I don't know about being pregnant with it.
Good luck and congratulations!
SarahMM

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R.S.

answers from Denver on

are you running a humdifier?

Good luck!

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E.G.

answers from Denver on

V.,
Sorry your sick, I know what your feeling like except your pregnant and I'm not. But congradulations. I have been going in a steam tent for five minutes right before bed every night (Helps loosen you up and breathing). First do the vicks vapor rub on both your chest and back, have hubby help with your back. Wear warmer pj's Place a hot pad on your dinning room table, get a bed sheet. Also have a house coat ready for when you get out of the steam tent. Bring water to a boil in a medium size pot with a lid, half full. Then put a half tablespoon of vicks in the water and put the lid back on. Takes a few seconds for vicks to melt. Put vicks and spoon on table just in case you need to make it a little stronger. When you are ready put the pot with lid still on the hot pad , put the sheet over you and the pot making like a tent. Then (you may want a oven mitt) take the lid off under the tent. Have hubby set timer for 5 minutes. You need to breath deeply through your mouth and also through your nose, I always switch every breath. You may also want to have a box of kleenex in the tent with you to blow nose or wipe eyes. When you get out of the tent put on your house coat right away. You want to stay warm before you crawl under the blankets. Also take vitamins Like 1000mg Vitamin C, garlic, and so on.
Anyways hope this helps
Good Luck
E.

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J.P.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Congratulations! I know ou are miserable right now, but there is some good news. Please send hubby to the health food store and pick up some Goldenseal. It is a natural way to build your immune system so you can kick this thing once and for all. It won't hurt baby because it is natural, made from plants. Drink a lot of purified water to help flush out toxins, and maybe get your sweetheart to give a good deep tissue back rub which will also release toxins. You should be better very soon.

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S.B.

answers from Denver on

Just hang in there. do make sure you don't have othe West Nile symptoms though.

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C.R.

answers from Denver on

I had a miserable cold when I was preggers too. My doctor let me do a nose spray, and it was the only thing that gave me relief. I would give your doc a call today and run it by them and see which one would be safe for you.
Good luck and congratulations!!!

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S.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

First, congratulations on being pregnant. When I was expecting and got sick, what helped me was the good old fashioned chicken soup, lots of juice, my favorite is mixing cranberry with orange juice. It's yummy and the cranberry cleans out your system and the orange juice pumps you up.
It may sound weird but I used an ice pack to help my headache pain. Soaking your feet will make you more comfortable as well.
Good Luck, I hope you feel better soon.

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S.G.

answers from Cheyenne on

I was able to use saline nasal spray when I was preg and had a cold or sinus infection. It helps a LOT! And of course, lots of fluids!

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M.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

You can get plug ins from vicks and sudacare, that you can plug in while you sleep. Also elevating your head with more pillows. I almost always get a cold that first month that I get pregnant. It couls just be your body responding to hormones. Progesterone a pregnancy hormone is notorious for increasing the mucus supply in your body. It will usually go away after a while. Also make sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids and Orange Juice is great for colds as wellas high in Folate which is great for the developing fetus. Good Luck and rest as much as you can with a 6 year old. And congratulations, it seems like you have conquered a major thing that you have been fighting for. I don't know you but I am so happy for you.

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D.Y.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Hi V.,

Congratulations on being pregnant! How exciting! I rarely get sick because my immune system is so strong (thanks to Juice Plus+!) but I did have a cold 3 years ago. I knew the last place I wanted to go to was a doctor's office because the average cold, treated, lasts 7 days. The average cold, untreated, lasts 7 days!! There are lots of things that are within our control to get better! However, if you feel you need a doctor's care by all means get it!!!

These suggestions come from Dr. Pam Popper [other than the increase in Juice Plus+] PhD in Nutrition, N.D.:

for a sore throat = slippery elm bark tea

for congestion/antihistamine = coarse sea salt - it is in chunks and would not come out of a salt shaker - 3 crystals dissolved under the tongue periodically until symptoms improve

for nausea = candied ginger works well - it has a chewy texture and 1-2 pieces usually eliminates nausea within seconds - purchased from a health food store

for a cough = relieved by the sea salt and the tea

Lots of rest, lots of fluids, make yourself as comfortable as possible until this passes.

I also did a TON of JP+! For 2 days I alternated 2 red, 2 green, 2 purple every 2 hours while I was awake!!!! One day I did 4 JP+ every 2 hours ... I took 2 Vineyard Blend every time and took it with either 2 red or 2 green!! JP+ is just FOOD. It won't hurt you to take extra!

I'd love to share information on JP+. Call me at ###-###-#### or leave a message on my toll free # 1-866-305-2785. Check out our website www.yugo4juiceplus.com.

JP+ will also enhance the health of your baby. Listen to Dr. Doug Odom on the 24* hotline ... 1-800-942-1260 under research studies. He has had phenomenal success by adding JP+ to the diets of pregnant women ... not one case of gestational diabetes, no pre-eclampsia, no babies going to the neonatal intensive care unit, no pre-term labor, no pre-mature rupture of membranes, better birth weights, better everything overall. That has been his own experience and it is now going through formal scientific evaluation. JP+ babies are vine-ripened! :o) He emphasizes that JP+ is FOOD and is not going to hurt any condition but enhance it. It is perfectly safe in pregnancy. JP+ is a good source of antioxidant protection that we don't get any other way except in fresh raw produce [which most of us aren't getting enough of and what we do get is so deficient!] that is in the right balance and the proper balance. Prenatals don't give us the balance and we're missing out on the 12,400 of the micronutrients not present in a prenatal and that food is the answer. He did have to use prenatals in his practice [and I would never tell someone not to take them ... that would have to be their own choice] because that is the standard of care for doctors and if not followed someone could have filed a lawsuit against him. That's the last thing a doctor wants.

I hope that helps you and others today!! D.

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A.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

When I due with my son I got any alwful cold/whole body ache. It was something really bad that was going around at the time. I laid in bed as much as possible, but had to also go to work. I took emergenC I think something like 3 times a day. I used a humidifier (cold one at times and a hot one at other times). I also swallowed whole garlic cloves on the advice of my midwife. Although all of this helped, I gave birth in that miserable condition. I know you can survive even without the meds. It will be tough, but just lie around and take advantage of being waited on as much as possible. I wish you the best of luck.

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A.A.

answers from Denver on

Hi V.,

I would highly recommend checking out this product... it's called Body Balance and it's great for overall wellness as well as for many health challenges (including the common cold). I used it as my prenatal through both of my pregnancies and had EXTEMELY healthy pregnancies w/ none of the 'bad' symptoms many people experience and 2 successful homebirths w/out interventions. It's also great for nursing mothers, as it helps give you lots of energy during the sleep deprivation months and keeps you strong, and the baby gets the nutrients through your breastmilk (it's great for brain development, etc). It's a liquid and tastes good, so kids love it (my daughter is 3 and she asks for it every day... it gives me a lot of peace of mind knowing that she's getting the nutrients she needs, regardless of what she's eating/not eating... and she never gets sick!).

Here's a link to the site: http://www.LifeForceSuccess.com and please feel free to call me or email me if you have any questions. ###-###-####.

Here's a little 12-minute video you can watch as well:

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1162234

Hope this helps... and congrats on the pregnancy!

-A.

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

There is not much else you can do. I got the flu and a head cold when I was six weeks pregnant and like you it was miserable! See if you can drink tea, tea helped me a lot only take the advice of your Dr, nothing herbal or home remedy like unless he okays it, not worth it.
Colds have a few weeks sometimes before they subside, just hang in there as you will be feeling better in no time.
And NO, wet hair cannot give you a cold, it just isn't possible!!
It is a germ, that is in the air and you could have gotten it anywhere. I used to sleep in wet hair to stay cool when I was pregnant! :) So don't think that.
I was allowed Robutussin if you have a cough, but talk to your dr first. I also was able to take I think it was Coriciden D, ask your dr though!

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S.M.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Put vicks vapo rub on your feet, and put nice warm wooly socks on (I know, a terrible thing to do in the summer). I've done this with every cold (mine, and my sons) FOREVER, and it works like a charm. Drink green tea, it's good for you, and helps clear you up.
Good luck! Let me know how it goes!!

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T.S.

answers from Fort Collins on

I used a saline spray for congestion.

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H.M.

answers from Denver on

Congratulations!! Hmmmm... maybe you're not sick with a cold, but expecting twins..... Just a thought!! Another thing you can try is a nasal flush, not just spray, if you're having sinus issues - it helps my hubby tremendously! You can get them at the pharmacy at Sam's Club or they have Netti (sp) pots at Vitamin Cottage - the one at Sam's is pre-measured. Hope you feel better soon!! Hang in there!!

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E.B.

answers from Denver on

When I was pregnant, my doctor told me that I could take any version of Tylenol — even the Tylenol cold medicines. I never had to but she said the Tylenol family of products were safe enough to take during pregnancy. Check with your doctor to see if he/she agrees that Tylenol would be ok. Sudafed is pretty much worthless! Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

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