I'm 11 weeks prego and I think I'm getting sick

[j4ino]

Any advice on how to prevent colds/reduce severity of a head cold during pregnancy? I get a lot of anxiety when I'm congested because I feel I can't breathe. sudafed makes my anxiety even worse!

I've had a lot of success with this product but I'm unsure if I can take it while pregnant:
http://www.enzymedica.com/products/MucoStop

[sanguine_speed]

How about trying a nasal decongestant spray for a couple of days? I also hate feeling congested! And when I mean congested, I mean a neti pot wouldn't do a smack of good.

[j4ino]

you mean, like afrin? is that safe to take in pregnancy?

[sanguine_speed]

I've never heard of afrin, but I mean like a decongestant spray, like the medicated kind that relieves sinus congestion, lol. Sorry, I'm realizing I'm not really helping.
When I had a really bad sinus issue, I was going to take some pseudoephedrine (sudafed pills) short-term as it's a category B risk drug (same as Tylenol). But the pharmacist said to be even 'safer', a localized nose spray isn't systematic and is less likely to affect baby. I felt fine about that because like you I SUFFER when I can't breathe.

[BlackSheepPDX]

Thyme in boiling water to steam your head over both opens congestion and is a natural antiseptic to help reduce the beasties in your head. Lots of fluid intake, of course, to help flush your system. I don't generally medicate for colds unless I'm really miserable, and I was really happy with how much the thyme helped when I got sick in early pregnancy this time around.

[j4ino]

do you use dry thyme?

[BlackSheepPDX]

You can use either dry or fresh.

[cagirlintexas]

Currently 8 weeks and sick. I have been doing lots of tea with lemon and honey. Not sure what else is safe.

This article made me think I should avoid thyme tea

http://hubpages.com/hub/DarkwingsThyme_Lore_And_Uses

last paragraph

[BlackSheepPDX]

This is thyme whole, not essential oil. Essential oil is a very different beast, and would be very unpleasant in a steam. The thyme steaming was recommended by a naturopathic physician, who also specified, NOT essential oil.