This (or any article on The Pregnancy Nurse) should be taken as medical advice, this purely educational. Please talk with your provider about your specific needs and circumstances.

Watch: Pregnancy, Tylenol & Autism — Clear Answers for Expecting Moms:

FDA’s Latest Statement on Tylenol and Pregnancy

Recently, the FDA released a statement for healthcare providers after a press conference aired, stirring up confusion more than providing real answers. The statement explored the possibility of a link between chronic Tylenol use in pregnancy and neurological conditions like autism. However, it emphasized:

• No causal relationship has been established.
• Some studies suggest there might be an association, but others contradict this.
• Tylenol is often the only medication that has proved to be mostly safe & effective against pain and fevers.

The FDA recommends that providers consider alternatives for routine, low-grade fevers, but Tylenol remains the preferred option since pregnant people should avoid ibuprofen and aspirin

Note: The FDA included aspirin but didn’t mention that low-dose aspirin is prescribed for preeclampsia prevention (which was disappointing).

Want to know more about pregnancy medications — check out these posts:

• Allergies During Pregnancy: What’s Safe and What’s Not
• Home Remedies for a Cold While Pregnant
• Unisom for Sleep During Pregnancy
• What Cough Medicine Can a Pregnant Woman Take? What OTC is safe during pregnancy?
• Can You Take Sudafed While Pregnant – When to talk to your provider.

Breaking Down the Research: Correlation vs. Causation

It’s important to know the difference between correlation and causation. Just because two things happen together doesn’t mean one causes the other. For example: more ice skating injuries in winter don’t mean winter causes injuries — lack of skill on the ice skating rink does. The same critical thinking must be applied here: so far, studies do not prove Tylenol causes autism.

Tylenol Remains the Safest Pain and Fever Option

Despite conflicting headlines, organizations like ACOG (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) still recommend Tylenol as the safest choice for pain and fever in pregnancy. Tylenol isn’t “category A” (like folic acid, which is always encouraged), but it’s the safest antipyretic and analgesic we have, recommended with provider oversight.

Should You Feel Guilty About Taking Tylenol in Pregnancy?

As both a nurse and a mom, I’ve taken Tylenol during my own pregnancies. So have many of the patients I speak with. Most babies are perfectly healthy. Our main goal is always to create the safest, most stable environment for your baby — balancing avoiding unnecessary medicine with not suffering through high fevers, which can be riskier to fetal health than the Tylenol itself.

What Should You Do If You’re Pregnant and Need Pain Relief or Have a Fever?

• Hydrate and rest first. Many headaches are caused by dehydration.
• Contact your provider before taking Tylenol if you have persistent headaches or a fever above 100.4°F.
• Work together with your doctor to weigh the real risks and benefits.
• Don’t feel guilty if you’ve taken Tylenol — current evidence does not show causation with autism.

Why We Need Better Research on Medication in Pregnancy

One takeaway: research involving pregnant people is limited and hard to conduct. If you’re offered a chance to participate in a safe pregnancy study, consider it! We desperately need more real-world data to guide future recommendations.

Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone

Pregnancy comes with enough worries. Added confusion from news reports and social media “advice” is unfair. Trust your foundation of knowledge, team up with your provider, and know you’re doing your best. Let that guilt go!

Frequently Asked Questions About Tylenol® and Pregnancy

• Is Tylenol safe in pregnancy?
  Yes, when used as directed and in consultation with your healthcare provider.
• Does taking Tylenol cause autism?
  Studies do not show a proven causal link, but we hope to study it further.
• Should I avoid all pain relievers when pregnant?
  Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin (except low-dose, if prescribed for preeclampsia). Tylenol remains the safest if needed.

Join the Conversation

What questions do you have about Tylenol in pregnancy? Leave them in the comments below — I’m here to help you get prepared and confident!

[Watch the full video above for more details and support!]

Thanks for being with us here at The Pregnancy Nurse, where we get prepared, not scared for birth!

The post Pregnancy, Tylenol® & Autism: What Expecting Moms Need to Know appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

While we’re here, don’t forget to grab my hospital packing list for when you’re ready:

What to Consider with Allergies

Allergies are tricky because the symptoms vary a lot:

A little runny nose — that may be allergies, or it may be pregnancy rhinitis — and allergy medications won’t help at all (where the mucus membranes swell and make your nose feel stuffy and sometimes run). Could kleenex be your best bet — is it worth the risk of these meds (which varies). Just something to consider.

Wheezing — obviously, breathing is important, and most of the common allergy meds are “better” than needing an inhaler or a rescue inhaler.

Itchy eyes — if this is your only symptom, could eye drops be more helpful (and get less to the baby?)

Itchy throat, ears etc — this can sometimes progress into wheezing but can be VERY annoying. I get this.

As always, I’m just here to give you information, not advice. It’s important you think about your symptoms and then go to your provider who knows you, your individual circumstances and needs and can recommend a course of action for you. This isn’t medical advice and please do talk with your provider before taking any medications during pregnancy.

Want to know more tips on pregnancy medications? — check out these posts:

• Home Remedies for a Cold While Pregnant
• What Cough Medicine Can a Pregnant Woman Take? What OTC is safe during pregnancy?
• Unisom for Sleep During Pregnancy
• Can You Take Sudafed While Pregnant – When to talk to your provider.

Types of Allergy Medications:

I’m just going to go into the very BASIC allergy medications. If your allergies are more severe this is definitely a conversation you want to have with your provider ASAP.

Pregnancy medications are given a letter grade. A meds are things that have been shown to HELP pregnancy — things like folic acid. B meds haven’t been proven to shown an defects (especially in animals, as studies during pregnancy are rare), C means there’s a chance of harm but no great studies or proof exists that it’s a problem.

Antihistamines

There seem to be two schools of antihistamines.

One like Benedryl that is taken, lasts 4 hours and then is out of the system. It doesn’t give a long-term effect, but can be helpful in the short term.

Many people don’t know that Unisom is also an antihistamine and is often used for morning sickness or nausea in pregnant women.

Studies have shown these meds aren’t great when taken long-term for people, and most doctors are recommending you find something else to either help with your sleep or allergies than these.

Most of these are a category B meaning we haven’t seen risks in studies or in the human population as of yet.

The other category of antihistamines are things like Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra.

These are 24-hour medications, often taken daily and are more recommended for allergies overall.

These seem to also all have a pregnancy category B. If you have frequent allergies, most providers are going to recommend this type of medication vs a Benadryl just because of the side effects/risks of Benadryl (including being VERY sleepy).

Corticosteroid

These are often nasal sprays that go directly into your nose.

The one most often used is Flonase. It’s a steroid that you apply directly to where the allergens are entering your body to tell your body to CHILL OUT.

However, Flonase is a category C — meaning it’s not as well studied, and may have some risks.

Allergy Eye Drops

These again, are antihistamine eye drops applied directly to your eyes which may be your problem area.

There seem to be quite a few types.

It looks like those that contain sodium cromoglicate like Allercrom can be considered safe (although I don’t see a pregnancy category).

However, as one who gets really itchy eyes I like to use something more like Zadiator which is considered an antihistamine and that is a pregnancy category C.

So, if you have itchy eyes I’d definitely talk with your provider.

Simple saline drops are considered safe and that might be enough for you (as it may be more from dry eyes than allergens).

DIY Allergy Treatments

There are some “DIY” allergy treatments you can use:

Avoid Known Allergens — allergic to dogs? It might be good to steer clear of them in enclosed spaces while you’re pregnant. Obviously, for some people this is easier than others.

If you have seasonal allergies, maybe you look to get exercise at home rather than going out for a walk to limit your pollen intake.

Nasal Sprays/Washes — you can use a netti pot or a nasal wash to wash out allergens from your upper respiratory system. These often just contain some salt, and are considered safe (and the salt helps calm down your mucus membranes)

I know they sound horrible, but it wasn’t near as bad as I thought it would be. There are also some saline sprays you can just spray up if you can’t do the whole “wash”.

Air Purifier — I have one of these we turn on in our room when we’re noticing more seasonal allergies. It seems to help, but who knows. It’s worth a try for us (and it constantly tests the air and only kicks on when there are issues with the air.

You could also consider heavier air filters with your a/c system.

What I Did

Sometimes it can help when I share what I did as I balanced the risks and benefits for myself.

I have some pretty serious seasonal allergies that can lead to asthma/wheezing. Albeuterol is a pregnancy category C. I know I also just don’t feel great when I take it (heart rate goes up, and I just feel yucky) — so I wanted to avoid it.

I took Zyrtec when I felt like my allergy symptoms were happening, and I tried to avoid it if I could.

I used just some saline drops when my eyes were itching and I don’t know if it was just in my head or maybe it washes out the irritants — either way, it seemed to work when I needed it.

Of course, I also took a hospital birth class that didn’t prepare me at all — so I’m not always a great example. This is why I now recommend this one. So great, fast, and a great price!

There is something else to consider:

How far along area you?

Early in pregnancy baby is forming really important parts of their body. Brain, organs, etc.

We really don’t know how drugs interact with baby’s formation during this crucial time. In that first trimester to second trimester we REALLY push to avoid medications that aren’t necessary or helpful (aka folic acid, and aspirin if you have a risk of preeclampsia).

As you get further into your pregnancy, those crucial organs are formed and your baby is mostly growing in size and getting their body ready to live outside. SO, providers are a bit more lenient on meds during this phase (unless they’ve proven to be problematic).

ALSO, you’re already going to be a bit short of breath as baby takes-up your lung space (rude, right?) — so, we really don’t want to hurt your oxygenation with wheezing in addition to that.

So, if a simple daily medication can help — it might be worth it to avoid bigger issues.

In summary:

1. Think about the symptoms you’re having from allergies
2. Talk with your provider about your history and what’s going on right now
3. Make a plan moving forward and keep monitoring things

Many people find that their allergies are actually less during pregnancy — maybe because of how our bodies immunosuppress things to help baby stay inside. So, just because they’ve been bad in the past, you might not have the issue now?

Honestly, pregnancy can be complicated. I’d love to hang with you during your pregnancy to give you just what you’re looking for:

What’s YOUR allergy plan with your pregnancy? Tell us below!

The post Allergies During Pregnancy: What’s Safe and What’s Not appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

But first, how do I know all of this? Hi — I’m Hilary — The Pregnancy Nurse . I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I am also the curly head behind Pulling Curls and The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. ​ I have seen tons of patients with colds and have talked about what can help them — and I know I can do that for you too!

Oh, and join my free pregnancy newsletter that can be tailor-made to just where you are in your pregnancy:

First, the bad news. I wish I had something that would get that cold or flu to go away… but the bad news is most of this is just going to speed up recovery a bit, or just clear up some of your common cold symptoms (like cough, runny nose, etc). There’s no real “cures” for colds. The reality is that cold and flu medicine is iffy at best no matter if you’re pregnant or not — so these simple home remedies can be helpful for all members of your family.

I will also share some studies on what these can really do for you!

Of course, before you do any of these, call your provider to see what they recommend based on your unique circumstances (like your health history and how far along you are in your pregnancy). If you’re feeling more sick than just a light cold, some providers may want to see you to make sure things are still going OK.

Flu’s can be really hard on pregnant women, so they’ll want to make sure you’re healing up OK. Also, consider getting a flu shot before flu season so you can side step it if possible!

A danger sign can be if you start to feel better and then wake up feeling worse — call your provider. Also, if you have a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit you should call you provider. You just want to be really mindful that you may not heal when you’re not pregnant…. You may need a little extra help healing up.

While antibiotics won’t help the common cold virus, sometimes you can get a secondary infection, or have some difficulty breathing that may require prescription-strength help. Or, if you actually have the flu, they may recommend flu medication from the pharmacy.

Ok, let’s talk about what you can try at home:

Cold During Pregnancy Home Remedies:

Drink plenty of fluids

Labor nurses harp so much on this one. We’re annoying like that — but man oh man can fluids make or break your whole body during pregnancy, and ESPECIALLY when you’re sick.

It’s probably because labor nurses have seen how much BETTER you feel after we give you some IV fluids. Which, is something you could do yourself just by drinking.

Pregnancy alone takes a LOT of fluids from you. The baby needs a lot of blood flow to grow and develop, and they also live in water to do that.

When you add a cold into the mix, it just increases those needs even more to help thin all that mucus and help you flush it all out of your system!

I recommend to aim for 8-16oz of water/HOUR while you’re not asleep. That means filling that cup all day and drinking it. I also recommend tapering your fluid intake after dinner so that you can get some sleep at night (since we know your bladder is going be tired after all that water all day).

What do the studies say? They haven’t really proven this one helps — but many of us have found that we feel SO much better when we’re well-hydrated with a cold/flu.

Get rest

That means you may need to take the day off of work, or maybe turn on the TV for your little one so that you can get some rest for your body. Try to sleep as much as you can during that down day.

Of course, if you’re home laying on the couch (and not asleep) it’s a great time to start your prenatal class!

What do they studies say? While I can’t find a study on rest and cold (although, you’re often more tired so it would be hard to do a study that stops you from sleeping). There is one that shows the more you sleep, the less like you are to get a cold.

Gargle with warm salt water

I never believed how much this could help until I tried it. Somehow the salt water really decreases the inflammation in your throat (if that is an issue).

Don’t add just a little bit of salt to your gargle, you want it to taste like the ocean…. so pretty salty (like a teaspoon of salt) with a glass of warm water to make sure it dissolves.

Be sure not to swallow it, you want to spit it out (as that extra salty water won’t be great for you).

I recommend trying this 2-3 times/day (although, sometimes gargling during pregnancy makes me gag — so be aware).

I don’t see any studies to support this one, but I know that it does help my throat feel better, so it’s definitely worth a try!

Heads up! There may be affiliate links in here – I might earn a smidge with your click. No cost to you, just good vibes! Check my boring stuff for deets.

Inhale steam from a hot shower or pot of boiling water

A LONG shower on your day off is a perfect way to try to clear your congestion.

Sometimes I like to add a few drops of an essential oil, or a dab of a Menthol rub in the corner of my shower (don’t put it in the middle or it will just go down the drain). They also sell steam tablets that slowly release those in the hot shower. Get your shower REALLY steamy, and then just stand in there and deep breathe. If you feel like you need to cough, don’t stop yourself. It’s all about getting that super-humidified air deep into your lungs!

This is a great cure for a stuffy nose.

What do the studies show: This one showed that inhaling warm humidified air can improve your course with the cold and give you relief from your symptoms.

Take over-the-counter medications as directed by your doctor

While this isn’t exactly a home remedy, things like Tylenol or Ibuprofen can be super helpful in getting rest and not feeling as achy and tired.

Call your doctor and see what they recommend based on your unique needs and circumstances. Many of them are safe to take during pregnancy (but many aren’t so don’t assume they are).

Some providers may even give the OK for Sudafed or a cough medicine, but you need to check with them first.

Suck on throat lozenges or hard candy to soothe a sore throat

Whenever I suck on a Luden’s cherry drop I’m taken back to my bed when I was about 8 and would suck them all day when I stayed home from school. For me, there’s always something comforting from that taste. Don’t forget how important comfort can be!

BUT, if your throat is really sore — these can be SO helpful. You can also try a throat spray like Chloraseptic.

BUT, if your throat is really sore I’d also recommend talking with your provider as it could be strep throat, and that is something you shouldn’t mess around with — it needs antibiotics, and it’s easy to find out if it’s strep with a simple test.

Also, if you just have a dry cough you may find that lozenges help that as well.

I don’t see any study on lozenges, but mostly they’re just made to help you feel better – so, if you’re not feeling better with them, no need to keep going

I’d recommend checking with your doctor being trying Zinc lozenges. I’ve seen information both ways on if those are OK during pregnancy.

I have a whole post on sore throats in pregnancy that might interest you on my sister site.

Humidifiers

Since you can’t stand in the shower all day, using a humidifier in your room can be helpful. I prefer to shut my door to try and keep all that moist air in my room (when possible).

I like to add an essential oil like breathe to my humidification (or with just an essential oil diffuser) if I’m feeling congested.

That moist air gets into your respiratory tract and helps thin out all that mucus and get it out!

Nasal Saline Rinse

These scare a lot of people, but I am here to testify how HELPFUL they can be. This is the one I use (there are more complicated, but that one works!).

You’re basically running water through your sinus area and hopefully helping all that gross congestion flow out with it. The instructions on how to do it are super explicit, and making sure the water is the right temperature is essential to make it less weird-feeling.

Not only can you breathe a bit better afterwards, but I’ve found it to help with my sore throat, or even coughs if it’s post nasal drip causing it.

Plus, I feel like it moistens all those mucus membranes and helps all my symptoms for a while.

I try to only do this a couple of times a day (sometimes I feel like it starts to irritate those mucus membranes if I do it too much or for too long)

Garlic & Ginger

I often will try a soup or food that has lots of spices plus garlic and ginger in it. This helps to clear my sinuses a bit and they say that both of those things have antiviral properties, so it might help you in many ways.

I don’t see anything about garlic curing your cold, but I did find one that those who eat more garlic get less colds!

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup actually has a lot of things that can help you feel better (bonus if it’s made by someone else). All the fluids help hydrate you, sometimes you add garlic to it or ginger to get those benefits as well. The protein in the chicken will help with needed energy. It’s just got a lot of good stuff in it that can help — plus, sit there and inhale the steam for a bit to help in that way too.

It may just make you feel happier too, which is a big win either way.

What do the studies say? This one says it DOES have healing properties!

BTW, love all the studies I included here? Beyond my own experience, I love to give you the information on how to property evaluate studies and make your best choices. I can do that that for you with labor in The Online Prenatal Class for Couples!

Ok, those are my 10 things.

You’ll notice that I didn’t dive into vitamins or supplements much. While Vitamin C is generally considered safe, it seems like the verdict on Zinc or Elderberry is out. Be Sure to talk with your proivder even before you try any of those “natural remedies” — just because it’s not a prescription doesn’t mean that it is safe in pregnancy.

One other bonus tip is to try to stay away from places you’re likely to catch a cold (or to mask-up if you’re OK with that). Busy, crowded places like concerts, airplanes, etc make your chance of getting sick higher. But, they can’t always be avoided, sadly.

Being pregnant and having a cold can be miserable, but there are some things you can do to feeling better. These home remedies for a cold while pregnant should help provide some relief. If your symptoms persist or worsen, be sure to contact your doctor. Have you tried any of these cold remedies — tell us in the comments!

And, come join me in The Online Prenatal Class for Couples where we will prepare you for BIRTH even BETTER than we have for a cold. In just a few hours you can be (and feel) prepared!

And, if you’re not quite sure you’re ready for that whole thing, check out my free prenatal class. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.

The post Home Remedies for a Cold While Pregnant appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

Pro Tip: Things like the flu or a even a really serious cold virus can be really problematic during pregnancy. If you really aren’t feeling well, please do call your provider. They may want to see you or may have things for you to watch for based on your own needs and circumstances.

Your immune system can be tricky during pregnancy so be sure to stay in touch with them.

If you’re in your 3rd trimester, you also need to be SURE to do your kick counts especially if you’re not feeling well. A lot of doctors teach them wrong — so, grab my cheat sheet here:

Coughing Medicine for Pregnant Women

Is a tricky issue because many of the products available over-the-counter contain ingredients that are not recommended for pregnant women. Therefore, it is important to check with your doctor before taking any kind of medicine or any natural remedies while pregnant.

Can I say it again — PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR PROVIDER BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICINE, this is just an informational article, not medical advice.

Heads up! There may be affiliate links in here – I might earn a smidge with your click. No cost to you, just good vibes! Check my boring stuff for deets.

In fact some of the cough and cold medicines that people routinely take can be problematic for large groups of people such as those with diabetes or high blood pressure (and you may be in one of those categories too along with being pregnant right now), or another medical condition. So, I am here to tell you that it REALLY is good to talk with your provider about what to take (again).

Remember that just because something is sold as over the counter medicines (otc medications) doesn’t mean it is safe for everyone. You can always talk with the pharmacist if you are there during their hours to find out what is right for you (or ask your doctor).

It is always best to avoid taking any kind of medication during pregnancy, if possible. However, if you are suffering from a persistent or severe cough, your doctor may recommend that you take an over-the-counter or prescription medication.

I will be linking to some meds, but that’s just to give you an idea of what they look like — I am not recommending you TAKE any of those (until talking with your doctor).

Coughs can do a few things:

1. Prevent you from getting adequate sleep, those dry night-time coughs can be so annoying, and not sleeping can slow your healing.
2. They can be painful to your ribs, especially with baby already pushing up into that area too.

That being said, it is normally considered safe for most pregnant people to take

• Dextromethorphan (also known as Delsym or sometimes Robitussin – although Robitussin often combines with other products which can be a problem) – This cough suppressant “chills-out” the part of your brain that keeps triggering the cough. In the studies that have been done there is no link between this and birth defects.
• Guaifenesin (also known as Mucinex) – it looks like this one is less studied and some places recommend you NOT take it in your first trimester, but is generally considered safe. This medicine helps bring “bring up” the mucus in your lungs by thinning it out (so, better for “wet” coughs)

The other thing that is tricky is that a LOT of cold medications have several ingredients in them (known as combination products — like ‘helps cough and cold”). So, we’re going to talk more about those ingredients, but I’d recommend taking just ONE active ingredient at a time to make sure how you react to it and can give your baby only the things you REALLY need to feel better.

Also, some of those medications have alcohol in them. They don’t believe there is any safe amount of alcohol for a growing baby.

Pro Tip: They are generally more concerned about medicine in the first trimester of pregnancy vs the third trimester because all the baby’s parts are delicately being formed during that first trimester (you’re at an increased risk of major malformations in the baby). However, things that might affect blood flow can be more problematic in the third trimester — so always check with your healthcare provider.

The good news:

When I’d get a cold during pregnancy I felt so helpless. I knew I needed to rest more, but there was a lot that needed to be done! I also knew I couldn’t head to a birth class not feeling well only to infect the other moms.

The good news is that this class can be done from your couch — it’s a GREAT way to use those sick days to knock something off your to do list, and rest to feel better!

Which cough syrup is safe for use during pregnancy?

One thing that I think a lot of people don’t think about anymore is that sometimes cold syrups help to stop the cough by coating your throat to stop the cough (so, more mechanical vs a drug). So, sometimes taking the actual syrup is better than the pills that many of them are offered.

But, once again — look for syrups that only have one active ingredient if possible.

Other Cold Medicine for Pregnant Woman

The sad news is that most common cold medicine is not super helpful in general.

The main cold symptoms that people take meds for are coughing and congestion.

However, a lot of people take Sudafed (also known as  Pseudoephedrine and Phenylephrine) for a cold. It is probably the most popular of the oral decongestants I have a whole post on Sudafed during pregnancy that explains all of when it is safe to take, and when it is not.

Ultimately, I’d try to stay away from Suafed when possible. It can dehydrate you which can be really problematic when you are growing a baby. It can also raise your blood pressure, which can also be a big problem for pregnant women.

It is recommend you NOT take Sudafed in either of it’s forms during your first trimester.

Some providers of pregnant patients are comfortable with it during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, but that is when blood pressure can creep up — so be sure to talk to them.

AND, remember that often times it doesn’t do all that much for you.

Also, many pregnant women have pregnancy induced rhinitis where they feel like they have a stuffy nose their entire pregnancy (and Sudafed won’t fix that, just getting the baby out fixes it). It is likely just better to take a few sick days and just blow that runny nose instead of having he adverse effects from the medicine.

I’m also going to talk more about sinus rinsing later in this post and I think it’s a GREAT, safer alternative to taking Sudafed.

Oh, and if you think it’s allergies you can consider antihistamine with your provider (like Benedryl or something longer-lasting like Zyrtec). Fun fact Unisom (that most people use for sleep) can also help with allergies.

BTW they also don’t recommend Sudafed while breastfeeding because it can drop your supply. My friend Katie (I love her breastfeeding courses) has a good post on taking Robitussin while breastfeeding.

Want to know more tips for a healthy pregnancy — check out these posts:

• When Should I Start Wearing Compressions Stockings During Pregnancy?
• Bladder Infections in Pregnancy
• 3 Things to Know About Perineal Massage
• What Does the Mucus Plug Look Like?
• Can Excessive Coughing During Pregnancy Hurt the Baby?
• Can Coughing Induce Labor?

Sore Throat Medicine for pregnant women

If you are suffering from a sore throat, your doctor may recommend that you take Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray, which is a safe and effective way to relieve the discomfort. Additionally, they may suggest using salt water gargles or a numbing lozenge. They may be able to recommend Tylenol or Ibuprofen depending on where you are at in your pregnancy.

Remember that a sore throat COULD be strep throat, so be mindful of that, especially if it is only a sore throat that is not going away with few other symptoms. Be sure to ask your provider if you have any questions. They can easily test you for strep throat to make sure that’s not it.

Strep throat could be a BIG problem for you and the baby if you let it go without antibiotics. My own grandmother died from strep throat (also called Scarlet Fever if it continues untreated).

Flu Medicine for Pregnant Women:

When it comes to flu medication, your doctor will likely recommend that you take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Advil (Ibuprofen) to reduce fever and relieve body aches and pains. However, if you are feeling more severely ill, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication like Tamiflu to help reduce the severity of your symptoms. You’ll definitely need to talk with them about that (it’s prescription-only).

Remember that the “line” between colds, flu’s, Covid etc is all kind of vague unless you get an actual test (and most people don’t). All of those illnesses are viruses, and antibiotics won’t help (unlike with Strep that is a bacteria). The medicine we have talked about so far are just for the symptoms you experience with those infections, and may or may not help depending on what you are experiencing.

Just a reminder that the flu can be REALLY problematic in pregnant people and to get your flu shot if that is an option for you.

Finally, it is important to remember that any cold medicine or cough syrup you take while pregnant should not contain alcohol, as it can cause developmental problems in some babies.

Home remedies for coughing during pregnancy

In addition to taking over-the-counter and prescription medications, there are also a number of home remedies that can help relieve coughing during pregnancy. These include drinking hot tea with honey, using a humidifier in your bedroom, using vapor rubs on the chest and throat, gargling with warm salt water and drinking plenty of fluids.

Drinking a LOT of water is SO important if you are sick during your pregnancy.

I recommend drinking 8-16oz of water/hour when you are awake during the day (and then tapering it before bed so your bladder won’t wake you up all night). It’s a lot more than you’d normally drink if you were sick. I know it seems like a lot, but if you get dehydrated, plus you’re pregnant AND sick you’re going to be SO miserable!

I also have a full post on home remedies for a cold while pregnant.

One of the other weird things I find that works is to put some menthol rub (like vicks vaporub) on my feet and then covering it with socks. I know, it sounds crazy but it’s worked wonders for both me and my kids a few times!

Be VERY mindful of any “herbal remedies” for a cough or cold. Beyond just some vitamin C it is hard to know what types of herbs or oils are in the remedy and to know if it is safe. Just like with over the counter medications, herbal remedies can also be quiet unsafe for you or your growing baby. That can also include the zinc remedies — check with your provider before taking them as well.

For either cough or the cold you can try a nasal saline rinse (There are a bunch of more-expensive ones on the market now, but I think that squeeze bottle one works well). I hate it, but I’m a big fan of the results.

It sounds horrible if you haven’t tried it before, but it can fix a lot of things:

• Blocked nose by rinsing out your forward nasal cavities
• Hydrating all your sinuses to loosen congestion
• This hydration can also extend to your lungs (and may stop any upper congestion from triggering the cough).

I recommend giving it a try and seeing if it works for you. As it’s just salt water it is one of the safer alternatives.

If you’re not quite ready for the rinse you can always dry one of the saline nasal sprays on the market (don’t confuse those with the steroid nasal sprays that you would want your doctor to recommend before taking).

Where can I find out what medicine I can’t take when I’m pregnant?

If you have any questions about which medications are safe for pregnant women (and their unborn baby), your doctor is the best person to talk to. They can provide you with personalized advice based on your individual medical history and needs. Additionally, there are several websites where you can look up information about the safety of specific medications during pregnancy, such as the American Family Physician website or the MomyMeds app.

It is important to remember, however, that these websites are not a substitute for medical advice from your doctor. They should only be used as an additional source of information.

It is also very important to talk with your doctor about any supplements or herbal remedies you may consider taking during pregnancy. While some of these products are marketed as safe they can be unsafe for you or the baby.

Don’t forget to keep taking your prenatal vitamins to make sure your body is getting the things it needs (because you may be eating less/different).

I hope this blog post has provided you with some valuable information. Remember that it is always best to check with your doctor before taking any medication, even over-the-counter medication (have I said that enough? It’s annoying, I know — but important….).

But, when you’re feeling sick is a good time to get started on your birth education (productive couch time). I can help you feel more prepared for your hospital birth in The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. It’s the only online birth course created for couples that is fun, quick and budget-friendly

And, if you’re not quite sure you’re ready for that whole thing, check out my free prenatal class. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.

The post What Cough Medicine Can a Pregnant Woman Take? What OTC is safe during pregnancy? appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

But first, how do I know all of this? Hi — I’m Hilary — The Pregnancy Nurse . I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I am also the curly head behind Pulling Curls and The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. ​ I’ve also been pregnant with three kids of my own. I know the desperate need you have to get some sleep during pregnancy, so we’re going to address ALL of that.

BTW, if all the things on your mind are preventing you from getting some sleep, can I recommend writing it down. I created a pregnancy planner to help take that load off your mind. You can find it right here.

What is Unisom?

Unisom (generic name: Doxylamine) is a medication that can be used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders. It’s available over-the-counter in the United States, and it’s also available by prescription in some countries. Unisom is part of a class of medications called antihistamines, which are typically used to treat allergies. Unisom works by blocking the histamine receptor, which helps to promote sleepiness and drowsiness.

Many of you might have used Benadryl for allergies (or to sleep) in the past — and Unisom works very similarly.

How does Unisom work?

Unisom blocks histamines — the things that make you have itchy eyes, nose, runny nose and other allergy-type symptoms.

Although, frankly — as a nurse I’ve never seen Unisom used for anything other than a sleep aid. As, it can make you feel sleepy.

As a note — in this article I will never say if you should or should not take Unisom. That is up to you and your doctor to talk about (considering you and your specific needs). Please be sure to talk to your provider before taking ANY medication during pregnancy.

Remember that everything you take in your body during pregnancy is circulated to the baby. That’s why it’s just something to take seriously and talk with your provider.

Related Post: Cough Medicines During Pregnancy

Is Unisom safe to take during pregnancy?

As of this writing the FDA considers Unisom a Category A drug.

This means:

Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).

So, in general it is considered safe. You can learn more about the pregnancy categories here.

Unisom’s chemical make-up is also part of the prescription medication Diclegis (you can read more about that here).

Honestly, I hadn’t heard much about Diclegis til’ about 5-8 years ago. I had heard that it was used (under a different name) in the 70’s but went out of vogue after some concern it caused birth defects (which were unfounded).

But, it’s now sold as Diclegis , and it’s PRICEY! You can learn a bit about it’s past in this Forbes article.

However, it’s components are pretty-much a unisom (cheap) plus a B6 pill (also cheap)

Yes, Unisom is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy. However, as with any medication, it’s always important to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider before beginning any new medication, especially if you’re pregnant. They can help you to weigh the risks and benefits of taking Unisom during pregnancy and make the best decision for you and your baby.

What are the side effects of Unisom?

The most common side effects of Unisom include dry mouth, drowsiness, and dizziness. If you experience any of these side effects, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids and avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. Most side effects are mild. However, if you experience any severe side effects, such as hallucinations or difficulty breathing, stop taking Unisom and call your healthcare provider right away.

Unisom for Nausea

As I said above, Doxylamine is part of the medication Diclegis. Some research (and I’ve had friends that back this up) say that it works to prevent morning sickness (or nausea).

As far as I can tell, when combined with B6 it may block some neurotransmitter (how your brain talks to your body) from telling you that you’re nauseated or that you need to vomit.

Although, the real reason that it helps doesn’t seem clear — however, a great deal of medicine is like that. I’ve sometimes wondered if it’s just the good sleep that you get with it just helps. Who knows.

That being said — if you’re considering taking something for nausea please do talk with your provider about it in advance. I know I keep saying that, but it really is important. If you have high blood pressure or other issues it could be problematic.

But, if you’re just looking for something to help you sleep, there may be some better options to try:

Tips for getting a good night’s sleep during pregnancy

• Establish a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible (going to bed at the same time each night, and waking up at a similar time)

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed (although avoiding both during pregnancy is preferred, although some providers say some caffeine is OK)

• Avoid working or using electronic devices in bed — park your phone in the kitchen.

• Get up and move around during the day to keep your energy levels up. Even adding some working out to your daily routine may help you sleep better.

• Practice relaxation techniques before bed, such as deep breathing or visualization, or even some stretching

• If you’re having pain with sleep due to your changing body, consider using more pillows to help prop up your body.

As with much of medicine and pregnancy, this is complicated. That being said, there are a lot of studies that show Unisom is safe during pregnancy. Which, frankly, is rare. Most medications aren’t studied much with pregnancy so that data should help you sleep better — especially if you take a unisom.

Pro Tip: Make SURE that you’re drinking a LOT of water. Personally, I tried to do a large glass every 1-2 hours during the day, and would stop that process at dinner-time. That way I could not pee all night.

Now, if you’re early in pregnancy I really think this pregnancy planner will help, but if you’re further along — often thoughts about having the baby and what it will be like are keeping pregnant women up at night.

Did you know that in just a few hours I could help you sleep better?

No, the class isn’t that boring. It’s just that labor is actually pretty simple when you have an expert explain it. Knowing exactly what to expect is a good feeling, and will help you sleep better, be less stressed and enjoy this pregnancy more. Come join me in The Online Prenatal Class for Couples.

Want to do a vibe check before diving into the whole thing with me? — check out my free labor pro tips. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.

The post Unisom for Sleep During Pregnancy appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.

Hi, I’m Hilary — The Pregnancy Nurse . I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I am also the curly head behind Pulling Curls and The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. ​ I have helped thousands of moms have their baby and seen tens of thousands of moms with stuffy noses that were driving them crazy.  They were desperate for something to help.  So, let’s talk about Sudafed, and some possible other remedies for your stuffy nose.

Please note, at no point during this article will I tell you TO take Sudafed or NOT to take Sudafed. Please talk with your provider before taking any medication or if you think you are sick/ill. By continuing to read this article you agree to my terms.

Stuffy nose in pregnancy

First, let’s talk about your nose in general during pregnancy.  You may be itching to take an oral decongestant because your nose just seems blocked up with nasal congestion.  Sadly, that’s pretty normal in pregnancy.  You have to remember that you have a LOT more blood in your body to feed not only your own body, but also to create another human. 

Areas that have a lot of blood flow, like your nose (think about how much blood comes out of your nose during a nosebleed — btw those are common in early pregnancy) tend to expand with all that extra blood, making you FEEL like you have stuffy nasal passages, or are congested, when in reality it’s just all that extra blood.

Sinus congestion is just a symptom of pregnancy (and not a fun one).

If you’re a first time mom, this may be really annoying (and some moms only experience this during certain seasons, so you might not have seen it in your previous pregnancies).

But, it is true that common decongestants can cause your baby not to form right.

This is where I give my strongest warning.

BEFORE TAKING THE ADVICE on this blog or any place on the internet, you need to speak with your healthcare provider.  It is important that they know what medications you ARE taking and your health care provider can give you recommendations based on specifics about YOU.

I am really writing this article to help you understand WHY your nose feels stuffy, and why your doctor might say not to talk anything for it.

While pregnant patients are at an increased risk from Sudafed, there are also other reasons not to take this medication (like high blood pressure, or diabetes).  I think a lot of us think that if a medication is sold over the counter, it is safe — but many of them can have side effects due to your unique circumstances in your body.  So, talk with your provider or pharmacist before starting anything new, pregnant or not.

Please note that this is a risk with ANY of the oral decongestants, so even if it is another brand name, you MUST talk with your provider before using it.

THIS WEBSITE IS MEANT FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.   PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH CONCERNS.

even if it’s just over the counter medications

BTW, feeling like there’s too much to keep track of? I have a good option for you!!!!

What does Sudafed normally do?

Ok, now that I have you scared of sudafed, let’s talk a little bit about what it does normally in your body?

It’s main job is to reduce the “swelling” of blood vessels in your nasal passages.  But, as it does this — it does it in your all your vessels (which is why it is a problem for people with blood pressure concerns).  It doesn’t know you’re taking it as cold medicine and to only do it in your nose.

AS you can imagine these types of active ingredients could hurt the blood flow to your placenta — which is likely where we start to see issues.

BTW, these types of issues happen at even just the recommended dose, so even that can be problematic.

BTW if you love having information given to you in easy and simple ways you should check out this course. It really helps simplify pregnancy & birth!

What’s wrong with sudafed?

Your placenta is made of TONS of blood vessels.  As you can imagine constricting those blood vessels (like you want it to do in your nose) that brings a lot of possible risks to your developing fetus.  

This study by Werler and Mitchell outlines a lot of those risks including small intestinal atresia (that study also includes aspirin and Tylenol).  This study (also by Werler and Mitchell) dives deeper into what types of malformations they see with sudafed use.

That 2nd study shows that the vascular disruptions can cause pregnancy complications with the heart, ears and intestines.

Please note that this study included anyone who just took one dose of the medication.  So, just a single dose, or short term use of decongestants has shown that it can be problematic.

Looking for this same kind of info on cough medicine in pregnancy? << that article has all the good info!

What’s the American College of Obstetricians Say?

Sudafed is a category C in pregnancy.  They also recommend against taking it in your first trimester, but it can be recommended (UNDER THE ADVICE OF YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER) in the 2nd and third trimesters if there are  no underlying medical conditions that would say otherwise.  There is some good info on this site.

Combination Products

Those studies also looked at combination products, like those combined with aspirin or tylenol and found them to be problematic as well. As a note, I much prefer to just take one medication at a time so I am sure what I am taking.

Sudafed PE vs Sudafed

While these do very similar things they actually have different active ingredients (although both have similar pregnancy effects).  You can learn more about them here.

Sudafed by Trimester

Obviously, your trimester exposure to sudafed is really what matters. 

First Trimester of pregnancy

First trimester use of phenylephrine has shown some risk of birth defects (although there are also studies that show no increased risk).

It is recommended pregnant moms do NOT take Sudafed in the first trimester especially.

Second Trimester

Second trimester is when things start to get a bit fuzzier, so definitely talk with your provider if you are miserable.

Third Trimester

Again, ALWAYS talk with your provider about the risks vs the benefits for you in this phase of your pregnancy.  However, as baby has all of their “parts” at this point it’s not quite as scary.  As always, make sure you’re following their recommended dose.  And make sure what medicine exactly they recommend (a lot of these sound very similar).

Also, in the third trimester, many pregnant people have increased blood pressure. That can certainly add to the issues involved in sudafed.

Alternatives to Sudafed

Heads up! There may be affiliate links in here – I might earn a smidge with your click. No cost to you, just good vibes! Check my boring stuff for deets.

If you have a lot of sinus congestion, there are still other options.  Some things help your immune system adjust to all this new blood flow.

Frankly, the more I learn about Sudafed, the less I try to take it. I much prefer some of these other options, and hopefully you will too!

Nasal Sprays

There are a couple of different types of saline sprays.  Saline (salt water) and also medicated sparays)

Medicated Nasal Decongestant Sprays

These are in the same category as sudafed.  Make sure to talk to your provider before using these.

Saline Nasal Spray

As these mostly are just rinsing out your nasal passages with water, they are normally considered safe.  However, talk with your doctor before using these.

I know that things like the Netti pot (I use a nasal rinse bottle) can scare some people, but I absolutely LOVE them when I’m congested.  I actually think they’re better than Sudafed.

Of course, keep in mind that these are NOT going to stop the swelling in your nasal passages due to the increased blood supply. They would be more to wash out that gunk that’s all through your sinuses.

Allergy Medication

Allergy medication is very different.  If you’re suffering from hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies talk with your provider.  Often things like Benadryl or other over the counter allergy medications are considered safe.

Eye Drops

If your eyes are itching talk with your provider (often you can do this type of thing with a phone call rather than a full visit). To see which ones are safe for you.  Some do have active ingredients that can become systemic. Many are just saline though — which would be pretty safe.

Nasal Strips

If you find it hard to breathe at night, these might help.  They just help open-up your nose-holes to help you breathe better.  Often they’re used for snoring, but they might help with your swollen nasal cavities.

Prescription Medications

There are prescription decongestants available.  Talk with your provider and if they are not your OB make sure you tell them you are pregnant when they prescribe you anything.

Home Remedies

There are a lot of things you can try including hot showers or a steam treatment.  However, as I’ve said before — if the main issue is swollen membranes in your nose (due to the increased blood supply) — this won’t help that (and could momentarily make it worse). I actually have a whole post on home remedies for a cold during pregnancy.

What to do if you have a sinus infection?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a sinus infection, call your provider.  They may want to see you, or they may want you to go to you regular doctor for treatment.

My sister site also has a post on what to do if you have a cold or the flu and are pregnant.

What to do if you have a sore throat?

Sore throats can come for a variety of reasons. If it is strep throat you definitely need to see a provider. However, I find that a salt water gargle often helps quite a bit. Talk with your provider if you have a sore throat to see what they recommend.

Sudafed and Breastfeeding

Of course, medication considerations can still be big even when baby is out if you are breastfeeding.

While sudafed is normally considered safe during breastfeeding, the problem isn’t really the medicine in your breastmilk.  The problem would again root with the decreased blood flow might hurt your milk production.  

I can’t tell you how many moms have a HUGE drop in supply after Sudafed and have a REALLY hard time getting it back up.  Just something to think about. My friend Katie has a great article on Sudafed & breastfeeding.

What to do if you took sudafed in early pregnancy?

Many moms take medication or drugs before they know they are pregnant.  The most important thing you can do is tell your provider and be as honest as you can so they can tell you the risks you might have.

The REALLY good news is that in those studies I cited earlier the VAST majority of babies did not have any consequences even when mom took sudafed early on — so that should help you sleep better.

I personally believe that we give our babies a huge gift when we give them the most benign environment to grow in.  It really is a time to let mother nature take over.  Of course, we also recommend taking prenatal vitamins, since folic acid has been shown to help prevent neural tube defects.  So, the studies are always evolving — so be SURE to talk with your provider. Have I said that enough yet?

Have you taken a prenatal class yet? Most people picture hours and hours spent taking them in a stuffy hospital room, but The Online Prenatal Class for Couples can be done in just a few hours and is taken entirely on-demand — whenever you’re ready. Good news, it starts at just $35.

Want to do a vibe check before diving into the whole thing with me? — check out my free labor pro tips. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.

The post Can You Take Sudafed While Pregnant – When to talk to your provider. appeared first on The Pregnancy Nurse®.