Colds, flu and stomach bugs during pregnancy

Colds, flu and stomach bugs are probably the most common infections that pregnant women can catch but although they can lay you low they rarely affect your baby.

Your immune system is slightly compromised during pregnancy, to stop your body rejecting your unborn baby, and this is why pregnant women find themselves catching every infection floating around the office. You may also find that this type of mild illness drags on for a bit longer than normal, for the same reason, and that symptoms such as a stuffy nose and nausea are worse due to the effects of pregnancy hormones.

Some of the medications you might usually take to treat colds and stomach bugs aren’t suitable in pregnancy, so check with your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife before taking anything. As a rule, acetaminophen is safe but you should avoid inbuprofen or medications containing codeine, as these cross the placenta (but don’t panic if you took these before you found out you were pregnant as it’s unlikely that they will have harmed your baby). You can also ease your symptoms with plenty of rest – prop yourself up on pillows to help ease congestion and a cough, and place a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead if you have a headache. Get plenty of fluids so you don’t dehydrate and take tepid baths to help lower your temperature if you have a fever. And while you may think the medicinal effect of chicken soup is a myth, it has been proven to help ease cold symptoms!

As always, looking after yourself is key to avoiding coming down with an illness. Here are gurgle’s top tips…

- Avoid sick people wherever possible! Keep away from sniffling friends and coughing relatives.

- Make sure your immune system is getting all the help it can from you in the form of a great diet (see diet for a healthy pregnancy) and adequate vitamin intake.

- Don’t try to do too much, as stress can make you ill. Punishing work schedules are a big no at this time.

- Get TLC from those around you: relatives, friends and partners will want to help so don’t push them away because you’re embarrassed about asking for help.

If you have a stomach upset, ask your caregiver which treatments are suitable for pregnant women. It’s unlikely to affect your baby and the best thing you can do is rest and drink lots of water. You can also read our article on natural health during pregnancy.

If you have any unanswered questions, use our answers page to gain wisdom from other moms or our resident experts for all those pregnancy issues.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 05/07/2007

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