How to treat cough in pregnant women: folk remedies and medications

Moreover, taking many medications can affect, if not the mother’s health, then the condition of her unborn child. That is why expectant mothers try to be treated with proven means. How to treat cough with folk remedies during pregnancy? Let's take a closer look.

Are folk remedies effective for coughs in pregnant women?

In fact, traditional medicine acts similarly to drugs, they simply contain natural ingredients, not chemically produced ones, and in a smaller volume.

Their effectiveness is lower, but it cannot be denied.

Folk remedies for coughs for pregnant women are often prescribed by doctors themselves, as they are recognized as a good alternative to classical drug treatment in the initial stages of the disease.

The effect of folk remedies is dictated by the high content of C, B, A and E, flavonoids, macro- and microelements. In different combinations, they not only increase immunity, but can also have expectorant, wound-healing, antiseptic and other effects.

Methods for treating cough during pregnancy with folk remedies

And yet, what to do if you have a severe cough? Treatment with folk remedies during pregnancy is based on infusions and decoctions of herbs and inhalations.

Which method to choose is up to you: proceed from the form that is convenient for you and your liking for the recipe.

As reviews show, inhalations are more effective and help you recover faster, but it is best to combine different recipes together with each other.

Infusions and decoctions

During an acute respiratory viral infection, you need to drink a lot of both plain water and infusions, fruit drinks, and teas that are beneficial to the body. The main thing is that the drink is hypoallergenic, so any herbs must be selected carefully, starting with small doses.

It is important to understand that the reaction to treatment of cough with folk remedies during pregnancy will be individual for an individual, that is, any of the remedies may be ineffective for you due to the characteristics of the body. This is a normal reaction, you should try further and look for something effective.

A few examples of decoctions and infusions useful for pregnant women with ARVI:

1. Figs 4 dried figs pour 3 cups. milk and simmer until the mixture begins to brown. Drink 0.5 cups while hot. 3 times a day.
2. Onion. Chop half a kilogram of onions and mix with 2 tablespoons. l. honey and 400 grams of granulated sugar, add a liter of water and simmer over low heat for 3 hours. Let the mixture cool, strain it, pour it into a container and hide it in the refrigerator. Drink 1 table. l. up to 6 times, preheat.
3. Bran. Brew half a kilogram of bran with a liter of water, let it cool, separate the mass from the liquid and throw it away, drink it hot throughout the day.
4. Raisin. 50 grams of raisins pour 1 cup. boiling water, cover, leave for half an hour and strain. Add 3 tablespoons to the resulting infusion. onions and stir. Drink this at night, in one dose. You can drink every 2 days.
5. Birch buds. Ceiling birch buds, table 3. l. mix with 100 gr. butter, melt for 60 minutes. Strain the resulting mixture; the cake can be used for a compress. Add 200 grams of honey to the composition. Drink 4 r. per day.

You can also be treated with decoctions of medicinal herbs in their pure form.

Inhalations

Inhalations are considered the most effective method, as they help calm coughs and quickly relieve spasms, dilate blood vessels, and promote active blood flow, which stimulates the immune system. For procedures, it is better to use inhalers and nebulizers, but if they are not available, you can take a teapot or a saucepan, but you will only have to do inhalations.

Solutions can be prepared according to the following recipes:

1. 20 grams of sage herb per 250 ml mountains. water.
2. Mix 10 grams of eucalyptus leaves with 2 chopped cloves of garlic and dilute with 250 ml of boiling water.
3. 50 grams of soda per liter of boiled water.
4. 10 grams of honey per 250 ml of warm water.

It is important to remember that inhalation at high temperatures is prohibited, as this will significantly worsen the condition. You need to breathe over the inhaler for about 5-8 minutes, then take a short break.

There should be no more than 6 such visits during one procedure. The temperature of the solution itself must be maintained at 40 degrees.

It is better if at least half an hour passes between meals and inhalation.

Rinse

Often women do not like to treat coughs during pregnancy with folk remedies for rinsing, since this can increase toxicosis and even cause a gag reflex. However, these procedures are the best option in cases where medications cannot be taken, but treatment needs to be done quickly.

As rinsing agents you can use:

• saline;
• soda and salt (half a teaspoon each), diluted with a glass of water;
• decoctions of any herbs, for example. linden, clover;
• apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon), diluted with a glass of water.

Gargling procedures are especially effective for dry coughs, as they relieve pain in the throat area and relieve irritation of the mucous membrane. It is better to gargle after eating and during exacerbation of the condition, no more than 8 r. per day.

Expectorant folk remedies for cough during pregnancy

If you have a wet cough, expectorant folk remedies for cough will help. For example, these:

1. Onions with budra promote expectoration and thin mucus. Chop 10 medium onions and 1 garlic, boil in 1 liter of milk until softened, separate the mass and discard. Mix with budra juice (literally a couple of spoons) and 2 tablespoons. l. honey Drink 1 table. l. every hour throughout the day.
2. Leek. Remove the leek rhizomes (2 pieces) along with the white pulp, chop the rest, mix with half a glass of granulated sugar and 250 ml of water, boil until the mixture thickens, separate and discard the cake. Drink 1 table. l. every 90 minutes.
3. Leeks with milk. Chop the rhizomes and the white part of 1 leek, brew 250 ml of milk, cover with a towel and leave for 240 minutes. Drink 1 table. spoon every 2 hours.
4. Hazelnuts with honey. Mix chopped hazelnuts and honey in equal parts. Take 1 teaspoon. l. up to 6 times, washed down with warmed milk.
5. Honey and horseradish. Mix honey and horseradish juice in a 3:1 ratio. Drink 1 teaspoon. l. every 3-4 hours, washed down with herbal tea.

Compresses, for example, based on honey, will help relieve cough. To do this, you need to smear a cabbage leaf with honey and press it to your chest.

Herbs for coughs during pregnancy

Herbs are usually prescribed in the form of tea, infusion or decoction. The following herbs are safe and effective:

• Linden;
• rose hip;
• raspberry greens;
• chamomile;
• verbena;
• echinacea;
• ginger root.

In pharmacies you can also find infusions, for example, infusions based on herbs that are safe to take.

Plantain for cough during pregnancy

The plant is used in the form of an infusion, which relieves pain in the throat and reduces the rate of development of the inflammatory process. 4 table. l. Brew 250 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Take 1 table. l. up to 5 times a day.

Linden for cough during pregnancy

Traditional medicine has long recognized linden as an effective remedy for treating a number of viral and chronic diseases. Together with honey, the plant increases its antiseptic qualities, which helps cure ARVI. Its flowers contain:

• flavonoids;
• vitamin C;
• essential oils;
• antioxidants;
• carotene.

These substances increase immunity and relieve inflammation.

Thanks to its antipyretic and diaphoretic effects, the plant helps to expel pathogenic microflora and strengthens the immune system. Linden is also often used for coughs during pregnancy, as it has an expectorant effect.

The recipe for taking linden is quite simple; you can use it in the form of:

1. Tea. Mix 2 table. l. linden with a glass of water, leave for 15 minutes. It is advisable to drink no more than 4 cups.
2. Infusion. Mix 3 table. l. linden with 400 ml of water, leave for 2 hours, strain. Use when rinsing, preheat.
3. Decoction. 1 table. l. pour a glass of water and cook for 10 minutes. You are allowed to drink no more than half a liter of decoction per day.

It is allowed to make compresses with linden blossom.

Ginger for cough during pregnancy

The maximum benefit when taking ginger can be achieved only by using fresh root, since it contains a large amount of vitamins, microelements and other compounds. Dried and crushed ginger can be used as a seasoning, but in small quantities, since spicy food increases the tone of the uterus and increases nervousness. It is not recommended to consume pickled ginger.

Fresh ginger can be brewed in boiling water, adjusting the volume of raw materials to taste, adding lemon and honey. It is advisable to drink no more than 1 liter per 24 hours. For ARVI, you can also take capsules with ginger, which are sold in pharmacies.

Badger fat for cough for pregnant women. Is it worth eating?

Badger fat for coughs during pregnancy has been used since ancient times, so its effect has been tested for generations. The product contains unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins A and E, as well as more than 20 useful compounds. That is why fat is not only safe, but also promotes health due to:

• improving the regeneration of damaged tissues;
• unloading of the cardiovascular system;
• improving immunity;
• normalization of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Badger fat can quickly cure both the common cold and tracheitis, bronchitis and other diseases.

For treatment, it is better to take real badger fat, which is usually sold in glass containers.

You need to eat it 3 times. per day in about 60 minutes. before eating in this volume:

• 1 dessert. l., if weight is less than 60 kg;
• 1 table. l., if the weight is around 60-100 kg;
• 1.5-2 table. l., if the weight is more than 100 kg.

You can eat honey, but it is advisable not to drink it. Continue the course until symptoms disappear.

If you cannot take fat internally, you can use rubbing, massaging the lung area in front and on the back, neck. Fat has a warming effect, which makes coughing easier.

What folk remedies should not be taken by pregnant women?

It’s worth making a reservation right away: even a cough compress during pregnancy must be approved by a doctor in advance, not to mention any serious traditional medicine. To understand what is not allowed, follow these recommendations:

1. It is forbidden to drink vodka and alcohol tinctures.
2. Drinking too hot can damage the mucous membrane.
3. Honey and citrus fruits are allowed in minimal quantities, since the products are highly allergenic.
4. It is not recommended to drink herbal teas more than 5 times a day.
5. You should not drink infusions of nettle, comfrey, hemlock and other plants, which are poisonous in any way, increase muscle tone and can cause bleeding.
6. Do not overuse compresses.
7. Compresses are prohibited from being applied to the abdomen, including its upper part.

It is worth adhering to moderation in treatment and starting any new product with small doses to reduce the risk of allergies.

Figs with milk are an effective folk remedy for coughs that can be used during pregnancy. How to prepare this delicious medicine - watch the next video.

Conclusion

Like medications, cough herbs during pregnancy must be used with caution, preferably in consultation with a doctor. The variety of such methods allows you to choose the most comfortable one, so it is not necessary to force-feed yourself badger fat. Listen to your body, try different folk methods, be careful and you will definitely get better.

Source: https://pulmonologiya.com/preparaty/kashel/narodnye-pri-beremennosti.html

Folk remedies for cough during pregnancy: home treatment, recipes

Many women are afraid to be treated with medications while carrying a child.

The reason is that chemicals can have a negative effect on the fetus and lead to negative consequences: genetic abnormalities, low level of protection of the child’s immune system.

Folk remedies for cough during pregnancy are considered safer and therefore are popular.

Cough during pregnancy

The effectiveness of folk remedies against cough

Cough is not an independent disease, but a sign of the progression of pathologies of the respiratory system. These include: flu, pneumonia, measles, bronchitis, allergies.

Folk remedies for cough are indispensable in the early stages. The patient should know that the use of medications has an adverse effect on the intrauterine development of the fetus - especially during the first trimester, when the formation of the brain and heart occurs. This is where home methods come in handy, which many doctors consider relevant in the early stages of pregnancy.

When therapy using alternative medicine, it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the body and contraindications - then the treatment will be effective. It is recommended to use any technique only with the permission of a doctor.

Features of traditional treatment during pregnancy

Be sure to treat the disease when the first signs appear. A dry cough that does not produce sputum deserves special attention. It causes discomfort in patients and can lead to serious complications. Before using any means, you must consult a doctor - a gynecologist or therapist; in complex cases, you may need to consult other specialists.

During the first three months of pregnancy, the safest is the use of folk remedies, such as:

Inhalations

1. Herbal inhalations. The best options for procedures would be the following herbs: rosemary, plantain. Essential oils extracted from eucalyptus or peppermint should not be used.
2. Compresses with honey (if there is no allergy) and cabbage leaves. Before going to bed, you need to place one large leaf with honey on your chest or back and tie it with a towel.

After the second trimester, it becomes possible to use tablets and syrups to relieve cough. Pharmaceutical drugs are usually used when folk remedies are powerless.

Popular recipes for coughs in pregnant women

Alternative medicine consists of a huge number of recipes for getting rid of cough and its causes. It is necessary to take into account the fact that the patient may have individual intolerance to some components. So, if a pregnant woman is allergic to sage or eucalyptus, she should avoid using recipes with these ingredients.

In order to quickly get rid of an unpleasant symptom, you can use the following effective recipes:

Black radish with honey

1. Squeeze fresh radish juice (preferably black) and mix with honey in a ratio of 2:1 (2 parts - juice, 1 - honey), then mix well and take 2-3 tbsp. l. in a day. The recipe will help relieve dry cough.
2. Pour 1 tbsp. l. sage in a glass of milk and boil the mixture at low temperature. The main condition is that the decoction should be taken before bedtime.
3. Tincture of marshmallow root and oregano. A mixture of 3 tbsp. l. pour herbs into boiling water. Infusion time is half an hour. Drink 100 g 2-6 times a day.
4. Banana jelly is an effective remedy for wet cough. Sweet and aromatic treatments relieve attacks and help in coughing up mucus. To prepare, you need to puree 3 bananas using a sieve. Pour 325 ml of water and add 2 tbsp. l. sugar, then put on fire. Boil for 5 minutes, then cool. Take 50 ml before meals 2-3 times a day. Storage temperature is not higher than 30°C.
5. The popular method is inhalation.
   It is best to use a special device - a nebulizer. If you don’t have one, the old method will do - using a pan and a towel. For the procedure itself you will need: potatoes, onions, garlic, honey, mineral water. Adults who love aromatic oils can use them for inhalation. The most popular are eucalyptus and ethereal. They are very helpful in treating coughs. Hot milk with honey
6. Hot milk with honey helps with the first symptoms of the disease. A prerequisite during pregnancy is to use only if there is no allergy to bee products. You can add oil to the mixture. You cannot put honey in hot liquid - it will lose its healing properties and not only will not give a beneficial effect, but can also negatively affect the body.
7. Figs are useful to eat both fresh and dried. It has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties, so it is used for sore throat, flu and other colds. Recipe: Take 2 dry figs and boil in milk for 20 minutes. It is better to drink this decoction before it cools down.
8. Honey cake helps cure cough Method of preparation: take 1 tbsp. l. honey and vegetable oil, then add flour and knead a stiff dough and prepare a flat cake. The finished product must be applied to the sore spot.
9. Pour half a glass of dry viburnum into 400 ml of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, then strain. You can add honey to the drink.
10. Gargling with a solution of soda and salt. For a cup of water (200 ml) take half a teaspoon. ingredients, then add warm water and stir well. Apply every 2-3 hours for maximum effect.
11. Honey for cough therapy can also be used for inhalation. To do this, you need to dissolve a little beekeeping product in warm water (about 40°C) and inhale the vapors of the resulting solution through your nose and mouth alternately.

Prohibited means

It is contraindicated to treat cough in a pregnant woman in the early stages (first 3 months) using the following means:

St. John's wort decoction

1. Herbs, teas and other herbs for oral administration containing: St. John's wort, hyssop, anise, sweet clover, oregano - increase the tone of the uterus, which can provoke spontaneous abortion and premature birth.
2. Coltsfoot, calendula, chamomile - for the entire period of pregnancy. Application is possible only locally (gargle).
3. Preparations, tinctures containing alcohol.

During pregnancy, a woman is prohibited from taking narcotic pharmaceuticals (morphine derivatives): codeine and its analogues for cough therapy. These substances have an expectorant effect and help reduce coughing, but they cannot be used by many people.

The reason is that a semi-synthetic opioid can cause euphoria in large doses. After taking a medication based on 3-methylmorphine (codeine), it is metabolized (changed) using the CYP2D6 isoenzyme, then by demethylation it turns into morphine.

To reduce pharmacokinetic data, impurities are added to reduce toxicity.

Codelac-broncho

To treat a cough, a pregnant woman should not take the following medications for the entire 9 months: Codelac-phyto and Codelac-broncho, Altemix, Tos-May, Bronholitin, Grippex, Zedex, Tedein, Bronhoxol, Rinzakoff, Kodarin, Codepsin, Tercodin.

Aloe can be used as a cough remedy during pregnancy, but carefully, only after consultation with a specialist. The effect of the plant on the body is the same as that of St. John's wort and hyssop.

In addition, aloe increases blood pressure, which is extremely undesirable. If your doctor allows it, you can use the following recipe: dissolve honey with aloe juice in a 1:1 ratio and take 1 tsp.

several times a day.

Source: https://pulmohealth.com/bolezni/kashel/narodnye/narodnye-sredstva-ot-kashlya-pri-beremennosti/

6 ways to treat cough during pregnancy

Cough is a reflex reaction of the body and a symptom of many diseases. Initially, the function of the cough reaction is protective - to remove pathogenic microorganisms with sputum.

Typically, the cough reflex occurs as a result of irritation of nerve endings, the so-called cough receptors, in the respiratory tract. The cough can be rare and frequent, dry and wet, constant and periodic, painful and painless, strong and weak.

During pregnancy, cough is usually caused by either acute respiratory infections (ARVI, acute respiratory infections) or the presence of chronic diseases (for example, bronchial asthma, ENT pathology, etc.).

Typical conditions for pregnancy that provoke cough are various allergic reactions, the susceptibility to which in expectant mothers increases due to the peculiarities of the functioning of the immune system, toxicosis (in the first trimester) and heartburn, which often occurs in late pregnancy. In more rare cases, the causes of cough in pregnant women are neurogenic (psychogenic) reactions, diseases of the middle ear, gastrointestinal tract (it also has cough receptors), cardiovascular system (due to swelling of the respiratory tract mucosa in heart failure), thyroid gland (usually due to mechanical compression).

How to treat cough in pregnant women?

It should be noted right away that the treatment of cough is aimed at eliminating this symptom, that is, symptomatic. This approach is certainly not the most effective. The most effective way to get rid of a cough is to eliminate its cause, of course, if possible. Thus, in case of infectious-inflammatory processes it is necessary to fight the infection, in case of allergies - to look for and eliminate the allergen, in the presence of chronic diseases - to treat them, trying to achieve normalization of the condition.  

Agree, it often happens that, having caught a cold and contracting a virus, we do not run to the doctor, but use the usual methods that have been tested in practice. However, self-medication during pregnancy should be excluded: a doctor should prescribe any therapy.

Many medications are prohibited for use in pregnant women, and there are many medications that cannot be taken together due to the high risk of various drug complications, and this also applies to seemingly harmless herbal remedies.

In addition, it is necessary to first establish the cause of the cough, that is, make the correct diagnosis, on which treatment will depend.

In pregnant women (as well as in everyone else), cough is most often a symptom of a cold. Expectant mothers experience a natural decrease in immunity (this is how nature takes care of preserving pregnancy), resulting in an increased vulnerability to various infectious diseases, especially during the season of colds, acute respiratory viral infections, and acute respiratory infections.  

The most vulnerable and dangerous is the first trimester of pregnancy, when, against the background of a natural decrease in immunity, all the child’s organ systems are formed, which imposes very strict restrictions on the use of many medications during this period.

Thus, the treatment of cough at different stages of pregnancy is different, but some methods are effective and safe in all trimesters. 

Cough during pregnancy: general recommendations

When coughing, it is recommended that the air in the room be cool and not dry (humidity 50–70%): cool air promotes reflex deepening and slowing of breathing, which makes breathing more efficient, and sufficiently humidified air helps to moisturize mucous membranes, reduce the amount of viscous mucus, and thin sputum, which is one of the causes of cough. Therefore, during the heating season, when the air in apartments is very dry, you cannot do without ventilation and the use of humidifiers (or other methods of humidification). In addition, the air must be clean, for which you need to regularly do wet cleaning and use air purifiers.  

Treatment of cough during pregnancy: nutrition tips

There is an opinion that some familiar dishes have a positive effect on coughs: for example, mashed potatoes prepared with the addition of milk help relieve cough. It should also be taken into account that the digestion process is very energy-intensive.

Therefore, to save the body’s energy to fight infections (and a signal for this is poor appetite), you should choose foods that are easy to digest, low-calorie, rich in vitamins and minerals: fruits, vegetables, dairy products, compotes, jelly, juices.

In order to avoid additional irritation of the mucous membranes and provocation of cough, it is advisable to exclude from your menu very sour, spicy, salty foods and, of course, foods that cause allergic reactions. 

When coughing during pregnancy, you need to drink a lot (if there are no contraindications, and the doctor has not recommended that you limit fluid): drinks should be warm, non-allergenic, pleasant for you (teas, fruit drinks, compotes, jelly, still mineral water).

Why is this so important? The fact is that such a drinking regime helps to moisturize the mucous membranes, pathogenic agents and viscous mucus are mechanically washed away (gargles are also used for the same purpose), and toxins formed during infectious and inflammatory processes are removed from the body.  

Treatment of cough during pregnancy: inhalation and gargling 

One of the fairly effective and safe methods of treating cough during pregnancy is inhalation. They can be carried out at any stage of pregnancy either with the help of special devices - nebulizers (their fine spraying facilitates the penetration of the medicinal substance into the lower sections of the respiratory tract), or without special devices, in the old fashioned way, breathing over potatoes, or decoctions of herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect. It must be remembered that hot steam can burn the upper respiratory tract, so both potatoes and herbal decoctions should be allowed to cool a little, and only then begin the procedure. At elevated body temperatures, hot inhalations are prohibited; cold inhalations and aromatherapy can be used (if there is no allergy to essential oils).  

For dry cough, it is recommended to use inhalations with linden blossom and marshmallow; when wet - inhalation with chamomile, eucalyptus, lungwort herb, primrose.  

Gargling moisturizes the mucous membranes, removes viscous mucus and pathogens from their surface.

For rinsing, it is recommended to use warm decoctions and infusions of herbs (chamomile, linden, rose hips, etc.

), water with the addition of soda (soda helps to liquefy and remove sputum), antiseptic solutions (furatsilin, miramistin), which have antibacterial and antiviral effects.

Treatment of cough during pregnancy: physiotherapeutic procedures

• Most often, for coughs caused by colds, infectious and inflammatory diseases, the following types of physiotherapeutic procedures are used: inhalations, ultraviolet irradiation, UHF therapy, electrophoresis, chest massage. 
• For coughs in pregnant women, inhalations are most often used. 
• UHF, like other electro- and heat treatment procedures, is relatively contraindicated during pregnancy, and cannot be performed at all at elevated temperatures. 
• Since the technique of drainage massage, which helps remove phlegm from the bronchi, includes vibrations, this procedure is not recommended for pregnant women. 
• Electrophoresis with magnesium is quite widely used when there is a threat of miscarriage, however, this method, but with other components, is useful for coughs: in the case of a wet cough, calcium chloride is used, and in the case of a dry cough, calcium iodide is used.

Ultraviolet irradiation (UVR) has a powerful bactericidal effect.

Local use of ultraviolet radiation for infectious and inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract in pregnant women is permitted and can be used as an auxiliary method of treatment for cough. 

Medicines to treat cough during pregnancy 

Many medications are prohibited for use in pregnant women, and even more medications whose effects in pregnant women have not been studied or have not been studied enough. However, in a number of situations, the use of medications cannot be avoided (for example, the prescription of antibiotics for pneumonia or severe bacterial bronchitis is mandatory), and only a doctor can choose a drug that is most effective and safe during pregnancy.  

All cough medications can be divided into two groups: antitussives and expectorants, and the simultaneous use of drugs from different groups is unacceptable.

Antitussives act on cough receptors (peripheral action) or on the cough center (central action).

Expectorant drugs, in turn, are divided into three subgroups: the first of them increases the amount of mucus (baking soda, potassium and sodium iodides), the second, through irritation of the nerve endings in the stomach, activates the cough and vomiting centers in the brain (most herbal remedies: mother -and-stepmother, wild rosemary, thermopsis grass, etc.) and the third subgroup - mucolytics - substances that dilute sputum and promote its elimination (drugs ambroxol, bromhexine hydrochloride, acetylcysteine). 

If the attending physician has decided to prescribe you medications, you should not refuse to take them for fear of harming the baby: firstly, if the doctor prescribes medications for you, then it means that in this case you cannot do without them, and secondly, the doctor chooses the most safe means during pregnancy, and thirdly, the disease itself that caused the cough and its complications can be much more dangerous for you and the child than prescribed medications.

Herbal medicine for the treatment of cough in pregnant women

It is important to remember that a number of herbal remedies are contraindicated for pregnant women. Thus, a common cough remedy made from licorice or licorice should not be taken by expectant mothers due to the pronounced effect on water-salt metabolism and the high probability of hormonal imbalance.

Aloe, raspberry leaves, barberry, thermopsis grass, elecampane, tansy, hyssop (as well as preparations based on them) can increase the tone of the myometrium (muscle layer of the uterus), cause uterine contractions and provoke miscarriage or premature birth.

Plantain, tansy, rhubarb, string, calamus and pine buds have had an adverse effect on the fetus; Thyme and sage can provoke uterine bleeding.

For colds and coughs during pregnancy, linden flowers, lingonberry berries and leaves, blackberries, blueberries, blueberries, chamomile, yarrow, rose hips, birch leaves, and viburnum are allowed.

Most of these herbal remedies have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Marshmallow flowers and root help thin and remove mucus, but it is preferable to refrain from using them in the first trimester. 

Traditional medicine for the treatment of cough in pregnant women

A number of traditional medicines have proven their effectiveness for coughs. These well-known methods can also be used during pregnancy: radish or onion with honey (in the absence of an allergic reaction to honey), figs with milk, Borjomi mineral water.

Precautionary measures

When treating cough in pregnant women, it is not recommended to use general thermal procedures (hot baths) and thermal procedures on the legs (hot foot baths, applying mustard plasters, etc. are prohibited), since they cause a pronounced blood flow to the pelvic organs and can provoke serious uterine bleeding.

It is not recommended for expectant mothers to have mustard plasters or cupping (the latter, previously very popular method of treatment is considered by experts to be inappropriate and even harmful due to injury and hemorrhages of the pleural membrane (it covers the surface of the lungs).

At elevated temperatures, any thermal procedures are also prohibited, in addition, any physiotherapeutic treatment is not recommended. 

Why is a cough dangerous during pregnancy?

A seemingly harmless cough reaction can be quite dangerous for the expectant mother and baby. With a strong, often dry and constant cough, tension in the abdominal wall occurs, and pressure in the chest and abdominal cavities increases.

This can lead to a reflexive, involuntary increase in tone and contraction of the muscular layer of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy (especially if there is a threat of miscarriage) and premature birth in later stages.

 

1. In addition, with frequent, constant coughing, fetal hypoxia may develop (impaired oxygen supply to the baby), which leads to a delay in intrauterine development. 
2. In the presence of predisposing factors (previa or low position of the placenta), cough can provoke uterine bleeding. 
3. A strong cough in a pregnant woman increases blood pressure. 

Photo source: Depositphotos

Source: https://www.9months.ru/zdorovieberem/6024/6-sposobov-lechit-kashel-pri-beremennosti

How and what to treat cough during pregnancy

A cough during pregnancy should be a reason to visit a medical facility. Often, this symptom of the disease goes away on its own, but under certain conditions (weak immunity, hormonal changes), complications are possible that will negatively affect the overall health of the expectant mother and the development of the fetus.  

Why do health problems occur?

In order to understand how to treat and what pregnant women can do for a cough, it is necessary to find out the source of this pathological condition.

Reflex contractions of the muscles of the chest and larynx occur when it is necessary to remove phlegm (pathogenic microorganisms) from the body.

Most often, spasms are the result of irritation of the receptors of the nervous system, less often they are complications of negative external influences.

The main problem in treating cough in pregnant women is the need for strict control of medications taken. It is not difficult to suppress an acute respiratory infection, virus or fungus if you take antibiotics or antibacterial agents, but pharmacotherapy during pregnancy is not recommended, to put it mildly.

Many specialized specialists (therapists) advise considering the possibilities of traditional medicine. The use of natural medicines is less effective, but less likely to cause side effects. Also, with the help of natural syrups and mixtures, you can safely relieve swelling of the larynx without risk to the child.

Cough during pregnancy - dangers and risks

Chest spasms need to be treated. The main thing is to choose the safest means possible and correctly assess the risks to general health. Cough itself rarely causes serious consequences. The exception is a sharp contraction of the abdominal muscles, which causes bleeding and increased tone of the uterus.

The primary sources of such a symptom are a great threat - ARVI, acute respiratory infections, fungal infections of the respiratory tract. The expectant mother's immunity decreases sharply, and any disease can cause irreversible changes. It is especially important to avoid infection in the 1st trimester. At this time, the fetus is being formed, and the pathological condition of the woman in labor will affect the future health of the baby.

How to Safely Treat Reflex Chest Spasms

You can eliminate cough during pregnancy by studying the possibilities of alternative, folk therapy, taking a course of inhalations, and physiotherapy. It is very important to create optimal conditions for recovery.

First of all, you need to monitor the room temperature and humidity. Dry air often becomes the main irritant.

What can be done? It is useful to ventilate the room more often, periodically carry out wet cleaning, and use household steam generators and air conditioning units.

Balanced diet for cough during pregnancy

The importance of your daily diet cannot be underestimated. You can get rid of dry, unproductive cramps by adding a large number of healthy drinks to your menu. Green tea, milk, fruit drinks, juices moisturize the mucous membrane, relieving irritation.

In the early stages (1-2 trimester) it is not recommended to take cough medicines, so it would be useful to naturally strengthen the immune system.

Another way to strengthen overall resistance to negative external factors is to saturate the daily menu with a large amount of vitamins and minerals (fruits, vegetables, berries). Any irritants – sour, smoked, spicy foods – should be eliminated from the diet. Such changes will have a beneficial effect on the state of the respiratory system and will help get rid of a dry barking cough.

Gargling and inhalation

Often, when visiting a therapist, you may be asked how to safely treat a cough during pregnancy? The answer may be the use of natural ingredients in the manufacture of solutions for throat disinfection.

Such procedures can be performed at any time (1-3 trimester), the main thing is to make sure that the effect is safe. Rinsing can be done with infusions and herbal decoctions. Most often there are recipes with the addition of chamomile, mint, rose hips, and linden.

The therapy helps to liquefy and remove mucus.

An excellent solution is to use a nebulizer. If there is no such device, then you can breathe in the vapors of potatoes and eucalyptus the old fashioned way, using a saucepan, a basin and an ordinary towel. We must not forget that hot air can burn, so before treating a cough, you need to check the temperature of the evaporated liquid.

Physiotherapy for cough during pregnancy

In some thematic articles, there is advice to expectant mothers that chest spasms can be treated with the help of physiotherapy.

Most of the manipulations that are offered in clinics are prohibited during pregnancy (especially in the early stages). It is not recommended to carry out heat therapy, UHF, drainage massage.

Local ultraviolet irradiation and electrophoresis using calcium chloride are allowed (under the strict supervision of the attending physician).

Folk remedies

There is a popular belief that natural medicines cannot harm the body. In fact, this is not true. During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur, and many herbs fall into the category of prohibited.

How to treat a cough while pregnant:

• St. John's wort reduces the effectiveness of painkillers, which may negatively affect the use of anesthesia during childbirth;
• Echinacea (ginseng) is not recommended due to a sharp increase in blood pressure;
• coltsfoot has a mutagenic and carcinogenic effect on the fetus;
• sage, thyme provoke uterine bleeding;
• elecampane and tansy increase the tone of the myometrium and can provoke an unplanned termination of pregnancy (miscarriage).

The list of prohibited folk remedies also includes barberry, raspberry, string, calamus, and pine buds.

What can pregnant women do for a cough? Treatment with decoctions of blackberries, linden, mint, lingonberries, chamomile, birch, and rose hips is considered relatively safe. These plants have disinfecting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cough medications during pregnancy

Most medications have a large list of contraindications and side effects. Therefore, the use of pharmacological agents must be approved by the attending physician.

The therapist assesses health risks and prescribes the safest treatment. Tablets, syrups, lozenges and mixtures can be divided into 2 groups: expectorants and antitussives.

The former reduce the viscosity of sputum, facilitating its removal, the latter directly affect the receptors (nervous system).

The list of prohibited drugs for the treatment of cough during pregnancy includes: “ACC”, “Bronholitin”, “Pertussin”, “Ascoril”, “Tussin”. Under the strict supervision of a physician, therapy with Mucaltin, Gedelix, Doctor Theiss, and Bronchipret is permitted. It is important to understand that any doctor’s recommendations should be followed. Often, inaction greatly complicates therapy, “driving” the disease into a chronic form.

How to protect yourself from diseases

There is no need to treat a cough during pregnancy if you follow simple rules of a healthy lifestyle. Expectant mothers need to walk more in the fresh air and engage in gentle physical activity.

It is recommended to avoid crowded places (public transport, supermarkets).

During seasonal epidemics (flu), you can preventively gargle with safe herbal decoctions, a solution of salt, soda, and apply Vaseline or oxolinic ointment to the skin near the nose.

Source: https://stop-kashel.ru/kashel-pri-beremennosti-chem-lechit/

Folk remedies for coughs during pregnancy

Respiratory tract disease in women at any stage of pregnancy can negatively affect the health of mother and child.

Severe forms of the disease can provoke disorders of the cardiovascular system and lead to termination of pregnancy.

Drug therapy is not recommended due to the large chemical effect on a woman’s weakened body, so folk remedies for cough during pregnancy will be an effective method of treatment.

Methods for treating cough during pregnancy with folk remedies

For therapy, it is necessary to carefully select the method and components. The wrong choice of technique can lead to serious complications at any stage of pregnancy.

Among the main methods of therapy in folk medicine are:

• infusions and decoctions;
• inhalation;
• rinsing;
• compresses.

The doctor prescribes the use of any alternative medicine in combination with drug treatment. This combination helps to effectively cope with the disease without harming the health of the mother.

In addition to medication and folk therapy, massage is an effective treatment method.

The main methods of cough massage during pregnancy are:

• percussion;
• point;
• honey

During the procedure, the patient should not cough or feel discomfort.

Important! Massage during pregnancy is a very delicate technique. Failure to follow the rules for performing the technique can cause bleeding and termination of pregnancy. Therefore, the massage should be performed by a specialist.

Infusions and decoctions

Treatment of cough with folk remedies during pregnancy using infusion and decoction is a very easy and safe method. For pregnant women, infusions made from medicinal herbs are considered effective. The infusions include: plantain, sage, primrose, clover, coltsfoot and chamomile.

Honey and milk are used in combination with herbs. A mixture made from these two components even without additional ingredients. This remedy allows you to cure cough during pregnancy in the shortest possible time, relieving inflammation and promoting expectoration.

In addition to the proposed components, decoctions for treating coughs in pregnant women are made with the addition of healing berries of raspberries, blackberries, hawthorn and rose hips.

You should consult your physician before using any ingredient. Many of these components have a strong therapeutic effect, but at the same time they can be difficult for the body to perceive if there is individual intolerance.

A popular expectorant folk remedy for coughs for pregnant women is made from rosehip, primrose, plantain and chamomile. These plants are poured with boiling water and cooked in a water bath for 30 minutes. The resulting broth is filtered and left for 40 minutes.

Inhalations

Inhalations are the best folk remedies for dry cough during pregnancy. This method of therapy helps solve a number of problems with dry cough. It affects not the symptom, but the causes of its occurrence.

There are two types of inhalation: natural and artificial.

Natural – a method of treatment when walking in the fresh air. This technique is used in conjunction with breathing exercises near the sea, in the mountains or in the forest. In nature, air has a healing effect and helps to cope with many respiratory diseases.

The forest contains a wide variety of medicinal herbs, the smell of which directly affects the respiratory system, helping to relieve nasal congestion and coughing attacks.

Mountain air also has a beneficial effect on breathing and helps relieve acute cough attacks. Normalize the general condition of the respiratory tract.

Artificial inhalation is a home method of herbal therapy.

The traditional method of treatment uses the following herbs:

• plantain;
• chamomile;
• sage;
• thyme;
• eucalyptus;
• yarrow.

Each herb has its own effect and can be used individually or in combination for inhalation.

In addition to regular products, you can use essential oils that have a healing effect.

Rinsing

For pregnant women, folk remedies for coughs are used in the form of gargling. This method is used for non-productive cough. A dry cough during pregnancy is much more dangerous than a wet cough.

Unproductive causes irritation of the mucous membrane and dryness - this leads to increased tone of the uterus.

If treatment is not started in time, such a cough can lead to premature birth or miscarriage.

In addition to liquids, the traditional rinse includes: herbs, salt, soda, apple cider vinegar - these are classic products that are used in most recipes.

Often, when rinsing, infusions and decoctions based on medicinal herbs, honey, radishes, onions and other ingredients are used.

Important! During pregnancy, a woman's body's immune defense decreases, so exposure to foods can cause allergic reactions of various types.

Before using components for infusion or decoction, consult your doctor.

An effective recipe for rinsing is a combination of eucalyptus, calendula and sage, which are added to 350 g of water and heated in a water bath. After which the broth is ready for rinsing.

Compresses

The use of compresses is a proven method of therapy for pregnant women. The products used in the compress have a powerful warming effect and affect the disease itself, allowing you to recover and at the same time get rid of side symptoms. The use of compresses can often quickly relieve coughs during pregnancy, thanks to the direct entry of beneficial elements into the body.

The most effective and frequently used product is honey. It has anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, sedative effects. With an infectious manifestation of cough, it allows you to remove toxins and infection from the body along with sputum.

One of the most popular and effective compresses is honey cake.

The recipe is quite simple:

• for cooking you need: honey, potato peels, flour and sunflower oil;
• simmer the potato skins over low heat for half an hour, then add sunflower oil and mix well;
• add a little flour and honey into the mixture;
• Bring the resulting mass to a homogeneous consistency, wrap in cheesecloth and give the appearance of a flat cake.

The compress is applied to the chest area and kept for an hour.

What is not recommended for treating cough during pregnancy?

Almost any cough medicine used during pregnancy can, in certain trimesters, have different effects on the body.

Contraindications include:

• massage of the abdomen or lumbar back;
• compresses, decoctions or infusions using alcohol;
• folk remedies with the addition of comfrey, nettle and hemlock herbs.

Any of the above plants are poisonous and can cause bleeding and also increase the muscle tone of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage.

Cupping procedures, citrus fruits, honey and regular use of herbal teas are also contraindicated. An incorrectly selected dosage of these products can cause an allergic reaction.

In the first trimester

The child is going through a formative stage. Any harmful effects from external products can negatively affect the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby. During this period, it is not recommended to use folk remedies using a large number of herbs or other components.

For therapy in the first trimester, simple decoction recipes are well suited:

• honey with hot milk;
• lime tea;
• brewed ginger with honey and lemon.

Easy to prepare, but effective to use recipes help to quickly relieve a cough without harming the child.

In the second trimester

This period is considered the calmest for mother and child. Its duration is from the 4th to the 7th month. During the second trimester, regular changes occur in the mother's body that cause a decrease in immune defense.

At this stage, the consumption of allergenic foods, such as honey, citrus fruits, and nuts, should be strictly dosed. Before using an allergenic component, you must consult your doctor and obtain permission for its use.

In the third trimester

The period from 28 to 40 weeks of pregnancy is characterized for women by regular fatigue, weakened immunity and preparation of the child for birth. Allergic foods are not recommended at this time.

When choosing herbs for treatment, first study their properties. Plants that increase muscle tone can cause contractions. Therapy with folk remedies using such herbs will lead to premature birth.

You can use honey, citrus fruits and herbs in the third trimester, but only if you consult a doctor and follow the prescribed dosage.

Are folk remedies effective for coughs in pregnant women?

Such methods of treatment are not only effective, but most often the only ones. Many doctors do not recommend the use of drug therapy in a number of certain complications or in case of individual intolerance to drugs.

Treatment with natural products has a number of advantages:

• helps get rid of respiratory tract diseases without chemical exposure;
• Vitamins and nutrients enter the body with food;
• has a gentle effect on the body;
• minimum number of contraindications.

Treating cough in a pregnant woman using traditional medicine is the safest and most effective way.

Conclusion

Traditional medicine helps cure coughs with virtually no side effects. To obtain a high-quality therapeutic effect, it is necessary to select the correct components and dosage.

Remember, each organism is individual and requires an appropriate approach. Before using traditional medicine, consult a doctor and find out your personal characteristics to draw up a further treatment plan.

Source: https://MyKashel.ru/beremennost/narodnye-ot-kashlya.html