Effective Home Remedies for Cold While Pregnant

The immune system tends to weaken during pregnancy. A runny or stuffy nose, along with other symptoms of cold, can cause extreme discomfort to pregnant women, and taking over-the-counter medicines is not considered safe either. However, natural remedies or home remedies for cold when pregnant are certainly a recommended option. In the following article, we shall discuss easy and safe natural remedies for cold during pregnancy that you can effectively use to feel better. These first and second-trimester home remedies to treat cold during pregnancy are effective and safe during pregnancy. However, please remember these home remedies for common cold do not substitute medical treatment and if after integrating the remedies the condition persists, you must consult a certified doctor.

Top 15 Natural Remedies for Cold During Pregnancy

The best way to remain healthy during pregnancy is to follow a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet. However, if you catch a cold, the following home remedies for cold and cough when pregnant will prove to be beneficial.

1. Garlic

Garlic works well in getting rid of colds in pregnancy. It is jam-packed with antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties, and thus, helps in combating cold-causing viruses and bacteria. According to some medical studies, garlic is also effective in lowering blood pressure, promoting blood circulation, and maintaining cholesterol levels during pregnancy (1). The presence of allicin found in whole garlic provides all these benefits in pregnancy.

2. Ginger

One of the best Indian home remedies for cold during pregnancy is ginger. This wondrous spice is known for its warming properties. It helps improve blood circulation and fight infection-causing bacteria and viruses. Alternatively, ginger may also relieve you from heartburn during pregnancy. Take a small piece of ginger, crush or grate it, and boil it in water. Add lemon and honey, and drink.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a very safe and useful remedy to cure a cold in pregnancy. The alkaline properties of apple cider vinegar create a hostile environment for the viruses and, thus, kill them. At the very onset of a cold or as soon as you spot the first symptom of a cold during pregnancy, start drinking apple cider vinegar. Mix a spoonful of apple cider vinegar with a glass of warm water. Ideally, you should gargle and then gulp the solution to achieve maximum benefits. You may drink apple cider vinegar in warm water twice a day.

4. Hot Chicken Soup

Sipping on a hot bowl of chicken soup is one of the tastiest ways of getting rid of a cold during pregnancy. Chicken soup is loaded with nutrition, along with being rich in anti-inflammatory properties (2). Add ginger, garlic, and cayenne powder, which make your soup more sumptuous and work really well in combating the symptoms of the cold.

5. Salt Water

As simple as it may sound, salt water is very effective in curing various symptoms associated with cold. Salt water helps flush the cold and cough-causing bacteria and viruses out of your system. It is an extremely safe home remedy to prevent colds and coughs during pregnancy. Add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Gargle with this solution to relieve a sore throat (3). Alternatively, you can put a few drops of this saline solution in your nose to eliminate a blocked and stuffy nose.

6. Onion

Onion is among the most effective Ayurvedic remedies for colds and coughs during pregnancy. Onions are rich in sulphuric compounds and quercetin, which are beneficial in killing the various infection-causing viruses and bacteria. You may eat onions in raw form or spread chopped onions around your bed to cleanse the air of harmful bacteria or viruses. However, some pregnant women may find the smell of onions very nauseating, so take care when following this home remedy.

7. Honey and Lemon

Honey and lemon is a great combination that works great in getting rid of cold during pregnancy (4). Take a glass of warm water and add a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of lemon juice to it. Mix well and drink this mixture three to four times a day. You can even drink this after you have recovered if you are prone to getting a cold. The vitamin C in lemon strengthens the immune system, and the soothing properties of honey relieve a sore throat.

8. Drink Plenty of Fluids

Keeping yourself hydrated is very important in pregnancy, and bracing your body with sufficient amounts of fluid becomes utterly important in case you are down with the cold (5). Your body loses fluids when you have a cold, and in order to replenish the lost fluids, you can drink water, ginger tea, lemon and honey tea, salt water, vegetable or chicken soups, or fresh fruit juices.

9. Get Adequate Rest

American Pregnancy Association endorses taking adequate rest if you are suffering from a cold in pregnancy (6). Resting is the best way to give your body time and energy to fight the infection. Napping two to three times a day is a good option to provide your body with a good amount of rest and recoup.

10. Take Steam

Steam is very effective in clearing mucus caused by cold (4). Inhale steam directly from a pot of hot water, or use a humidifier. Adding some eucalyptus oil to the hot water works really well in opening up the blocked nasal tract or sinuses. Steam is also beneficial in providing relief from a sore throat.

11. Eat Well

Food provides energy to our body, and more energy is required when your body is fighting against any disease or ailment. Eat small frequent meals, rather than bigger meals at one time. Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, meat and dairy, whole grains in adequate quantities should be consumed to provide you with energy to fight the cold.

12. The Chest Rub Trick

Chest rubs available on the market are great for clearing out sinuses and relieving chest congestion. However, pregnant women may be sensitive to strong smells and dislike the cooling sensation that a chest rub emits. However, there is another way to use these that works really well. Apply chest rub to the soles of your feet before bedtime, and wear socks. This gives you relief from cough and cold.

13. Light Exercise

Do some light exercises if you feel up to it. Staying active warms up your body and makes you feel better, leading to an easier recovery. Exercising also builds immunity, so try a few pregnancy-safe exercises.

14. Elevate Your Head

Lying flat while sleeping may give you trouble breathing through a blocked nose. Prop your head on two or three pillows, which will make it much easier for you to breathe throughout the night and have a restful sleep.

15. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is widely known for its antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. The presence of concentrated levels of lauric acid in coconut oil works really well in destroying the lipid coating around the virus, disintegrating the virus envelope, inhibiting maturation, and preventing viral proteins from binding to the host cell membrane. Coconut oil is safe during pregnancy, and it can be used both internally and topically. You may add a spoonful of edible coconut oil to any hot beverage to get relief from the cold.

FAQs

1. What are the reasons for catching a cold during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the immune system is weaker and the changes in hormones happen rapidly, which shifts the balance of the body, making it vulnerable to fight infections and illnesses.

2. What are some immune-boosting nutrients to take during pregnancy?

Some of the well-known immune-boosting micronutrients that work well during pregnancy are vitamins C and D and zinc. These help strengthen your system and fight off colds.

3. How to tell the difference between a cold and a flu?

A cold and flu usually have similar symptoms, so it can be tricky to differentiate between them. However, some parameters help. A simple cough and cold usually have milder symptoms, such as sore throat and runny nose whereas the flu is accompanied by mild to moderate fever, headache, muscle or body ache, fatigue, cough, and typical cold symptoms (7).

4. What can you do to reduce your risk of catching a cold during pregnancy?

Make sure you maintain proper hygiene and cleanliness in your surroundings and in your body. Wash your hands properly before and after eating or handling any food item, avoid contact with sick people, cover your nose and mouth while sneezing, and avoid drinking extra chill water as it could irritate your tonsils and lead to cold.

5. Is a cold harmful to the baby during pregnancy?

A cold alone is not harmful to the unborn baby during pregnancy, but the flu can (8). Many times, expecting mothers mistake flu with cold which increases the risk of flu development and its consequences. However, pregnant women should always take precautions to avoid colds and coughs during pregnancy and avoid self-administering with over-the-counter medications without a doctor’s approval, as it could jeopardise the health of the baby. It is also important to treat colds as soon as possible because if left untreated, it could worsen and cause high fever, breathing difficulties, pneumonia, bronchitis, or other complications during pregnancy. Always refer a certified doctor for an appropriate treatment, and they may prescribe pregnancy-safe over-the-counter medicines to take during pregnancy (9). The CDC recommends treating flu-like symptoms at the earliest with pregnancy-safe antiviral medications (10).

6. Are home remedies enough for treating a cold during pregnancy?

Although home remedies to cure cold during pregnancy help minimise the effects to an extent, they may not always be sufficient to control it. Thus, consulting a doctor for a cold during pregnancy is advised.

These above-mentioned cold during pregnancy third trimester home remedies, as well as for other trimesters, are very effective in curing a cold during pregnancy. These home remedies may have different degrees of effect on different women, so choose the ones that work for you. However, it is recommended that if these remedies do not prove to be fruitful, you should seek medical advice.

References/Resources:

1. Meher S, Duley L. Garlic for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.; PubMed Central; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6464897/; July 2006

2. Rennard BO, Ertl RF, Gossman GL, Robbins RA, Rennard SI. Chicken soup inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. Chest.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11035691/; October 2000

3. Taking Medicine During Pregnancy; Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmwh.12765; May 2018

4. Common Cold in Pregnancy and Breatstfeeding; MotherSafe: NSW Medications in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding; https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/migration/Mothersafe/documents/Colds.pdf

5. Montoya. M; Which Cold & Flu Medication Is Safe to Take During Pregnancy?; UNM Health; https://unmhealth.org/stories/2022/02/cold-flu-medicine-safe-during-pregnancy.html; February 2022

6. Cough and Cold During Pregnancy; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-complications/cough-cold-during-pregnancy/

7. Pregnancy complications; OASH; https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/pregnancy-complications

8. Colds and flu during pregnancy and breastfeeding; Pregnancy Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/cold-and-flu-during-pregnancy#manage-flu

9. Which over-the-counter cold medications are safe during pregnancy?; UT Southwestern Medical Center; https://utswmed.org/medblog/otc-cold-medication-safe-pregnancy/; January 2018

10. Flu & Pregnancy; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/pregnant.htm

Also Read:

Home Remedies for Cough during Pregnancy
Effective Morning Sickness Home Remedies
Home Remedies for Vomiting during Pregnancy
Home Remedies for Gas Problem when Pregnant
Best Home Remedies for Constipation while Pregnant