How to deal with colds in pregnant women is mostly easy to do at home. However, before dealing with colds during pregnancy, there are several things that need to be considered, yes. Pregnant women, let’s see what are the right and safe ways to deal with colds in pregnant women.
Behind the feeling of emotion and happiness because of the baby that continues to grow and develop in the pregnant woman’s stomach, pregnancy can often make the pregnant woman’s body feel uncomfortable. Various complaints during pregnancy, ranging from morning sickness , erratic moods, to pain or aches in the body, have become commonplace.
In addition, there are also quite a few pregnant women who complain of colds , which are characterized by headaches, nausea, vomiting, fever, bloating, or aches. Pregnant women are more susceptible to colds due to hormonal changes in the body and weakened immunity.
Fortunately, there are several ways to overcome colds in pregnant women that can be tried. However, some of these ways are a little different from the way to overcome colds in general, yes, pregnant women.
Various Ways to Overcome Colds in Pregnant Women
So that the symptoms of colds subside quickly and pregnant women can rest and return to their activities comfortably, there are several steps that can be tried. Here are various ways to deal with colds in pregnant women that are safe and effective:
1. Get plenty of rest
Changes in pregnancy hormones and the fetus that continues to grow and develop in the womb can make pregnant women quickly tired or exhausted. This tiredness can sometimes be accompanied by other complaints, such as muscle pain, leg cramps, nausea, and headaches, so it is similar to the symptoms of a cold.
Well, to overcome colds during pregnancy, try to limit daily activities and get plenty of rest. Keep in mind, pregnant women must get enough sleep every night, which is 7-9 hours . If necessary, pregnant women can also take time to take a nap to recharge their body’s energy.
2. Inhale the aroma of essential oils
During pregnancy, pregnant women may often experience nausea, either due to morning sickness or colds. This nausea can get worse when pregnant women smell pungent or unpleasant odors.
Well, to overcome it, try to inhale the aroma of essential oils or aromatherapy as a way to overcome colds in pregnant women. As a safe choice, pregnant women can inhale the aroma of fresh, soft, and not too pungent essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, or chamomile oil .
3. Drink enough water
Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, many pregnant women experience nausea. When nauseous, pregnant women may find it difficult to eat and drink. This can be risky for the body to become dehydrated. As a result, cold symptoms can recur or get worse.
Well, to overcome this, pregnant women need to drink enough water every day, yes. By fulfilling the body’s fluid needs, pregnant women will not only avoid dehydration, but will also feel fitter and the symptoms of colds can subside.
If pregnant women feel nauseous when drinking water, they can consume other healthy drinks, such as warm tea, coconut water, or fresh fruit juice.
4. Drink ginger water
The health benefits of ginger water, especially for treating colds in pregnant women, are undeniable. Research shows that consuming ginger water or ginger tea can relieve nausea, vomiting, and bloating during pregnancy. Ginger also contains anti-inflammatories and antioxidants that can relieve cold symptoms.
To increase its effectiveness, ginger water can also be added with lemon juice. This is because lemon water contains vitamin C which can strengthen the body’s immune system, so that cold symptoms can subside more quickly.
5. Take a warm bath
The fetus size that increases with the increasing age of the pregnancy can cause the weight of the pregnant woman to increase. This is normal and can be a sign that the condition of the pregnant woman and fetus is healthy.
However, gaining weight during pregnancy can make the body more easily tired, sore, and often nauseous, so it is often considered similar to catching a cold. Well, to relieve these cold symptoms, pregnant women can try taking a warm bath.
Warm water can relax muscles and smooth blood flow in the body. That way, colds can quickly subside. However, make sure the temperature of the warm water that pregnant women use is not too hot or not more than 38°C.
6. Doing pregnancy massage
This method of dealing with colds in pregnant women can also be done if the mother feels tired, sore, or cramps. Pregnancy massage can relax tense muscles so that the mother’s body no longer feels heavy.
However, to stay safe and healthy, pregnancy massage should be done by experienced and certified professional therapists. This is because they have been trained to understand which body parts can be massaged so that it is safer for pregnant women and fetuses.
7. Try scraping
Gua sha or cupping has become a traditional method to overcome colds in Indonesia. Actually, whether or not this method is safe as a way to overcome colds in pregnant women still needs further research.
However, pregnant women can still try this method as long as they follow several conditions, namely that the scraping is done gently, avoiding the lower back and stomach, and the side of the neck. To be safer, it is better to consult a doctor first when you want to try scraping to overcome colds during pregnancy.
8. Take medicine
If the various methods mentioned above do not relieve the cold that you are experiencing, you can take medication. Well, one of the safe and effective medicines to relieve colds is paracetamol .
However, make sure the dosage and method of use are in accordance with the instructions for use or according to the doctor’s advice, OK?
Pregnant women, those are various ways to overcome colds in pregnant women that can be tried. If various methods have been tried but the symptoms of colds are still felt or even get worse, you should see a doctor , okay? That way, the doctor can determine the cause of colds that pregnant women often feel and provide the right treatment.