There's nothing worse than feeling poorly, especially when you're pregnant, so knowing how to treat a cough in pregnancy is important to help you feel better as soon as possible. Having a cough in pregnancy is rather common, and often nothing to worry about, and with plenty of rest and sleep, you should start to feel better, but it's understandable why you might be worrying about the impact your cough is having on your baby.
To help calm your anxiety in pregnancy when you're poorly and answer all of your questions about getting a cough in pregnancy, we've put together the latest health advice on how to treat a cough in pregnancy to have you feeling better in no time.
What causes a cough in pregnancy?
Common cold - There's always some sort of virus going around common cold during pregnancy, and with a slightly weakened immune system in pregnancy, you're extra susceptible to catching a cold. While the runny nose and fatigue tend to clear up pretty quickly, a cough can linger a little longer.
Hormonal changes - These pregnancy hormones will spark a whole range of changes in your body. For some women, they can develop allergies or become more sensitive to allergens that didn't affect them before pregnancy. Many of these allergies can cause coughing.
Allergies - If you already suffer from allergies such as hay fever or pet allergies, it's likely pregnancy might amplify these allergies as your hormones change.
Can a cough in pregnancy hurt my baby?
Although it's rather unpleasant for you, a cough or cold shouldn't be harmful to your baby. This is because your little one is protected by the muscle of the uterus lining and amniotic fluid, both with act as a barrier between baby and any external movements such as coughing.
However, if you're that poorly that you develop a fever, especially in early pregnancy, it could be harmful to your developing baby. If you have checked your temperature and it's higher than 38, you should contact your doctor.
Which cough medication is safe in pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it's advised to only take medication from your family medicine cabinet (especially over the counter medication) if you really need to, so avoid it where you can. Plus, some research suggests that cough medicines and syrup don't actually do much to ease your cough, so it's better to simply rest.
If you feel like you need to take something to ease those symptoms, some types of cough medicine and throat lozenges are safe to take in pregnancy. Just be sure to check with your pharmacist before purchasing. Research surrounding cough and cold medicines and pregnancy is relatively limited, so it's always a good idea to check. The main ingredients that are considered safe in pregnancy include:
• Dextromethorphan – Considered safe throughout pregnancy to help suppress cough symptoms.
• Pseudoephedrine – This is only recommended after the first trimester and isn't suitable for those with high blood pressure and helps relieve congestion.
• Guaifenesin – This helps to thin mucus but is only safe after the first trimester.
For those aches and pains that you might get with a cold, it is safe to take take painkillers in pregnancy such as paracetamol in pregnancy. Just try to take the lowest dose and only when you really need to.
If your cough is a result of allergies such as hayfever in pregnancy, you might be tempted to take an antihistamine tablet, but it's important to discuss this with your GP before taking them.
Natural home remedies
During pregnancy, and especially if you have a cough, you should aim to get as much rest as possible and drink plenty of water and fluids. This can also help a dry cough too.
A nice mug of good old honey and lemon can help soothe your throat and cough. Similarly, a nice cup of decaf tea can also do the trick. Some also find gargling with warm salt water helps, particularly if your cough is accompanied with a sore throat.
It's also a good idea to avoid any areas of heavy pollution or particularly dusty areas or places, as this could make your cough worse. If it's winter, avoid spending too much time in cold temperatures, as this can also amplify a cough.
When to see a doctor about a cough in pregnancy
As mentioned, if your cough comes with a fever, you should visit your doctor. Secondly, if you've had your cough for more than ten days and the cough is quite severe, then you should speak to your doctor about any other potential causes that could need treatment.
How can I prevent catching a cough?
Here are some of the main things you can do to avoid catching a virus:
• Regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap or use hand sanitiser if you're not near a sink.
• Ask your GP about getting a flu jab in pregnancy as well as a Covid-19 jab.
• If someone in your house has a cold or cough, avoid sharing towels with them and physical contact.
• Avoid touching your mouth or eyes as this is how viruses can infect our bodies.
• Stay fit and healthy and aim to eat a balanced diet to boost your immune system.
Lorna White has been the Senior Digital Writer for Mother&Baby since 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics, from potty training and nutrition to baby names and maternity fashion.