There are several respiratory illnesses that can occur during pregnancy. There can be upper respiratory illness or lower respiratory illness. If you look at a woman’s anatomy, the upper parts of the respiratory system are the nose, sinuses, and throat. The lower parts of the respiratory system affect the airways and the lungs. Either the upper or lower parts of the system could get infected, resulting in illness. Understanding respiratory illness and treatment options can benefit pregnant women.

Personal Story

I was less than a week from my due date. My two boys and my husband were sick with colds and coughs. I wanted to prevent myself from getting what they had. I did what I knew to do and I didn’t get sick for the birth of my daughter.

Respiratory Illness

There is a seasonal nature to respiratory illnesses. These illnesses often increase during the winter months when people spend more time indoors.

There are upper respiratory illnesses and lower respiratory illnesses.

Upper Respiratory Illnesses include:

• common cold (head cold)
• flu
• laryngitis
• sinus infection
• strep throat
• tonsillitis

Lower Respiratory Illnesses include:

• bronchitis
• pneumonia
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• severe flu
• tuberculosis

Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Illness:

• cough
• headache
• muscle aches
• runny nose
• sore throat
• sneezing
• stuffy nose

Lower Respiratory Illness Symptoms:

Severe cough that sometimes produces:

• mucus
• shortness of breath
• tight chest
• wheezing upon exhaling

Viral Infections

There is no treatment for viral infections. For colds and upper respiratory illness, antibiotics do not help, and pregnant women take longer to heal because their immune system is stressed from pregnancy demands.

Prevent Respiratory Illness

• Healthy diet
• Enough sleep
• Minimize stress
• Avoid people with respiratory illness
• Wash hands with soap and water.
• If water is not available, an essential oil mixture with lavender can cleanse. It is not good to use antimicrobial hand soap, because it encourages bacterial resistance.

Herbal Supplements

• elderberry syrup
• zinc

Foods which Benefit the Respiratory System

Foods that are rich in vitamin A help to keep respiratory passage tissue healthy and enhance its immune functions.

• Winter squashes
• Sweet potatoes

Other helpful foods:

• garlic
• ginger
• spicy foods

Treatment Options for Pregnant Women

If a pregnant woman is ill with a cold or an upper respiratory illness, she can make herself more comfortable by doing these activities.

• increase fluids
• get more rest
• if there is a fever, try to keep temperature below 100.4 degrees. Wearing light, loose clothing allows heat to escape and cools the body or wrapping up in a blanket retains body heat. A lukewarm bath can lower body temperature. Taking Tylenol according to package directions can safely be used to lower fever.
• if congested, nasal stuffiness gets relief from extra humidity in the room or using a neti pot or rinsing with warm salt water.
• for cough, Robitussin DM cough medicine might be recommended by a doctor.
• call your doctor if you have abdominal pain, vomit more than ten times a day, have blood in the vomit or stool, or vaginal bleeding or signs of ruptured membranes.
• echinacea prevents upper respiratory infections and has demonstrated safety in pregnancy

Action

Learn to prevent and relieve respiratory illness when they occur. It’s good to be prepared if illness comes.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

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