Safe Cold Remedies for Pregnant Women
Sleep Propped Up
Getting
enough sleep
during pregnancy is essential, but hard to do when your nose is stuffy. Propping
yourself up can help.
Sleeping with your head and upper body slightly inclined allows for
better sinus drainage and makes it easier for you to breathe through a stuffy
nose.
While lying down or sleeping, use pillows to keep
your head elevated. Even better, consider raising the head of your bed a few
inches by propping it up with sturdy books or blocks (because you’re pregnant,
let someone else undertake this project). For extra-miserable sinus congestion,
you might find relief and be able to rest by taking naps in a semi-upright
recliner chair.
Saline Nasal Drops and Spray
When that almost inevitable case of runny nose and nasal congestion
strikes during pregnancy, some of your best courses for treatment are non-medicated remedies—including saline.
A simple combination of salt and water, saline thins and loosens nasal
mucus (especially the dry, crusty variety) and soothes inflamed nasal tissue. Both saline nasal spray and drops work equally
well, but be sure to choose a brand that lists water and salt as the primary
ingredients. Don’t use nasal spray containing any added medicines before first
checking with your doctor or midwife (look on the label for an “active
ingredients” list). When in doubt, a basic saline solution is easy to prepare
at home. Dissolve one-quarter teaspoon salt in eight ounces of water. With a clean
medicine dropper, place a few drops of the solution in each nostril. Wait five
to 10 minutes before gently blowing your nose. Repeat as needed.
Steam
Warm, humid air can
