Help!

[sarebare43]

I'm 18 weeks pregnant and just got hit with a nasty cold.  I'm pretty good at "toughing it out" but I'm going on day 4 with so signs of getting better.  I'm congested with a horrible sinus headache and a dry cough that is tearing apart my throat...Does anyone have any suggestions for safe herbal remedies to take?

[MtlMommy29]

Go  to your GP I thought I had a bad cold only and had the sinus and it turns out it was a sinus infection once on the antibiotic i felt better in 2 days.  Until then use a humidifer for your congestion and also steam up a shower helps a lot.

[erigeron]

I agree, if it's not seeming to get better in the regular cold timeframe you should get it checked out just to make sure it's not something more grievous.

[Jaimee]

Neti pot?  And yeah, get checked for infection.

[yogamomma7]

Hot water with lemon juice, ginger and honey for your throat. You can either make some ginger tea and add lemon and honey, or whirl some fresh ginger root in your blender with a little water then strain. Make up enough to keep a jar in your refrigerator and then you can just use a tablespoon whenever you make a cup.

Also, echinacea is safe during pregnancy, you just don't want a blend with other herbs. That being said, it might not be that effective now that the cold has set it. It's most effective when you take it at the first sign of symptoms.

Otherwise, I would look at some homeopathic remedies. Boiron makes some good ones for colds. You can also read the descriptions for the single remedies and see which ones fit your symptoms.

If you only have congestion and cough and no fever, I would think it might be allergies. If the neti-pot isn't a possibility for you, then get some saline spray for your nose.

[ArcticRose]

I caught the flu two weeks ago and I'm still coughing. I'll be 33 weeks tomorrow and I am so tired and sore from all this coughing! I'm sure my baby is tired of being bounced around.

Try a nice strong oregano and honey tea. That's what I've been using for my cough. I also do the hot lemon and honey, with or without ginger, for the sore throat and cough. A hot wash cloth on your face can help relieve the sinus pressure. I caved and used cough drops at night so I could get some sleep, otherwise there was just no way I could get any sleep! I also took a Tylenol a couple of times when the combination of headache and cough made me feel like my head was going to explode. Drink as much fluids as you can.

As miserable as I've felt.. the worst part is that I have very little bladder control with this cough.

I am feeling quite a bit better, and I think this is almost over. (knock on wood) I hope your cold is shorter!

[sarebare43]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions!  The teas have been helpful, and it's nice to know that echinacea is safe for next time (hopefully there isn't a next time, but I will be ready!)  I think I'm at a point now that my body too, is sore from the coughing, my throat feels like I swallowed razor blades and I need to just heal.

I'm sorry that your sick as well, it really is the pits... And I feel you on the bladder control issue, that was a very unpleasant surprise....