As common as colds are, it is no surprise that you stand a good chance of getting one while pregnant. The only thing is when you're expecting, weathering a cold or a nagging cough goes beyond the simple logistics of seeking relief from your symptoms. After all, now you have a baby and you have his/her health to think about as well. Read on for a rundown on the available treatment options that can keep both you and your baby comfortable during cold and flu season.

Symptoms

In general, coughs and colds are not dangerous conditions. They might be annoying and make you feel awful, but neither presents a real risk to your health or the health of your baby.

However, if you are ill for more than a few days, develop a high fever, have a severe sore throat, or are worried that your symptoms seem unusual, you may have the flu, strep throat or a sinus infection, and should see your doctor right away. The flu is much worse than the common cold and can make pregnant women much sicker than those who are not pregnant. Protect yourself against the flu by getting your flu vaccination early on. It is recommended for all pregnant women.

Sinus infections are relatively common in pregnancy because of the increased nasal congestion, and fighting one may require the use of antibiotics. If you have asthma, you should pay special attention to your breathing and see your practitioner without delay if you are having difficulty.

If you develop a severe cough, rest assured that the fetus is protected inside your uterus, and you cannot cough so hard that you miscarry or go into labor. However, the loss of urine is, unfortunately, pretty common. The best thing you can do about stress urinary continence is to empty your bladder frequently and practice your kegel exercises.

Nonmedical treatments

Coughs and colds are usually caused by viruses, which do not benefit from antibiotics, and so must run their course. Medical treatment can relieve symptoms so that you feel better, but it won't make you get better any faster. With the exception of treating fever, it often is fine to simply tough it out if you don't want to take any medications. Here are tips to help you alleviate some of the discomfort that can accompany a cold.

• Drink plenty of fluids, as this will help to thin secretions. Water, chicken soup (Jewish penicillin), juices, and warm tea are good sources.
• Use a humidifier. Place it close to your face when you sleep. During the day, you can make a tent out of a sheet draped over your head. Stay under the tent for 15 minutes, three or four times a day.
• Rub a mentholated product (like Vicks Vaporub) on your chest according to package instructions.
• For nasal stuffiness, use saline drops. You can buy these at drugstores or prepare a solution at home. Just dissolve 1/4 teaspoon salt in 8-ounces of water. Place a few drops in each nostril, wait 5 to 10 minutes, and then gently blow your nose.
• To make breathing easier, sleep in a recliner or prop up your head with lots of pillows so that you are in a semi-upright position.
• Take a warm shower. This can help clear nasal stuffiness and mucus.
• Get plenty of rest.

Medications

While it is generally best to avoid exposing a fetus to medications, especially in the first trimester when its organs are forming, sometimes drugs are necessary either for medical reasons or for symptom relief. (For more information, see Medications in Pregnancy: General Principles, which explains the FDA's safety classes for medicines.)

• Decongestants: This group of medications is used to treat colds or allergies. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), an FDA category C drug (to be used only if the benefits outweigh the risks), can be bought over the counter and is present in antihistamines as well as in cold remedies. These medications are not recommended for anyone who has high blood pressure, pregnant or not. If possible, avoid taking pseudoephedrine in the first trimester.
• Cough suppressants and expectorants: Dextromethorphan, a common ingredient found in cough and cold medications (such as Robitussin), is probably safe for use in pregnancy. While the FDA has labeled it category C, some large studies suggest that it does not cause any increase in birth defects or complications of pregnancy. Guaifenesin is an expectorant in many cough and cold medicines. It, too, is listed under category C but is probably safe as well.

Treating pain and fever

Pain is bad because it hurts. Fever is bad because it overheats the fetus. Fever is unhealthy for the fetus throughout pregnancy, but a high fever in the first trimester is especially worrisome since it is thought to be responsible for certain birth defects, including problems in brain and spine development. It's generally best to follow this rule: If you get a fever in pregnancy, take medications to bring it down, and if you cannot reduce your temperature, call your doctor.

• Fever: Fever also increases sweating and fluid loss, so be sure to drink lots of cool fluids when you have a high temperature. Most pregnant women can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) throughout their pregnancy without a problem. If you are a heavy drinker (three or more drinks a day), you need to discuss this with your practitioner, not only because alcohol and acetaminophen can be a lethal combination, but also because drinking while pregnant has health implications for your baby. Ibuprofen is probably safe to take in the first and second trimesters, but it may cause problems for the baby's circulation after 32 weeks' gestation so always check with your doctor before taking it. Aspirin is usually not recommended in pregnancy. Persistent fever or severe illness during pregnancy always warrants a call to your doctor.
• Zinc Lozenges: Zinc lozenges (and more recently, nasal sprays) have been used to speed recovery from the common cold. Lower doses of Zinc are safe, and there is currently no reliable information about the safety of using zinc lozenges while pregnant.
• Echinacea Tea: One study that looked at the use of echinacea during the first trimester found no increase in birth defects. It's generally considered safe for use in pregnancy, but you should be aware that it has not been tested extensively.

What over-the-counter medicines are considered safe during pregnancy?

Cold Symptoms And Hay Fever 
(If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor first.)

• Chlor-Trimeton - antihistamine
• Sudafed - decongestant
• Actifed - antihistamine and decongestant

Read the label and follow directions for use and dosage

Cough Symptoms

• Robitussin or Robitussin DM

Constipation

• Docusate (Colace) 100 mg twice a day
• Metamucil - 1-2 teaspoon with 8 oz juice or water
• Milk of Magnesia - 1-2 Tablespoon every evening

Do not use mineral oil.

Minor Headache Or Body Aches

• Tylenol or any acetaminophen preparations, 2 tablets or 650 mg every 4 hours.

Do not take aspirin during your pregnancy unless instructed to do so by your physician. Aspirin may interfere with blood clotting and cause problems during labor and delivery. Do not take ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) unless instructed by your physician.

If headache persists for more than 24 hours, call the office.

Heartburn

• Amphogel
• Gelusil
• Maalox

Do not use baking soda or Pepto Bismol.

Fever or Chills

• Take your temperature if you feel unusually hot or cold. If your temperature is above 100.5 call the office. If your temperature is less than 100.5, take Tylenol 650 mg every 4 hours. If your fever lasts longer than 48 hours, call the office.