Tips for Pregnant and/or Nursing Women with Colds or Flu

The above picture is of me when I was pregnant with my daughter, Zari. My sister Melody who had her new baby girl December 29th of last year (this is her first pregnancy and child) asked me and her other friends on Facebook when she was pregnant to post any suggestions of what medicine or other remedies she could take that would be OK during pregnancy for cold/flu symptoms. I didn't even have to think about it. I have been pregnant and/or nursing most of my married life it seems. I have a lot of experience with pregnancy, childbirth and child rearing. It just comes naturally to me now. Here are my many tips I gave to her. I thought that I should share them with all of you too since many of you are mothers too.

1. Stay Hydrated: drink lots of herbal teas (especially ginger, echinacea, chamomile, and peppermint. Also, hot water with honey and lemon.) or other soothing hot beverages (only the ones safe for pregnancy though), eat soups, drink more water.

2. Get Enough Sleep and Rest: Prop yourself up if you have to so that you can breath in bed. Wrap around a large body pillow for comfort.

3. Get Fresh Air and Sunshine When Ever You Can: You need your daily dose of vitamin D from the sun and fresh air because it can get stuffy inside the house. Also exercise is still needed to keep you immune system healthy.

4. Eat Healthy Nourishing Meals/Foods: Eat foods with lots of garlic (if it doesn't cause problems) and vitamin C, eat and drink less sugar, add herbs and spices to your diet that fight growies (cardamom, cayenne, curry, cinnamon and cloves are effective bacteria fighters), eat a lot of green leafy raw veggies, eat yogurt because of the probiotics and drink cranberry juice (not juice cocktail!) especially if you are getting antibiotics.

5. Breath Again: use the Netti pot (make sure to disinfect it before and after every use), non medicated Saline Nasal Drops and Spray, Mentholated chest rub, steam and hydrotherapy (take a shower, hot bath, etc. Also, essential oils, such as tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus are safe and effective to use with steam inhalations with a room vaporizer or humidifier.), Boogie Wipes.

6. Get Rid of Bad Bacteria and Keep The Germs Down: Saltwater gargle, Colloidal Silver (a few drops in the mouth or infected ear), the above herbs and spices in number 4, keep good hygiene and brush your teeth/tongue/gums regularly. Disinfect surface areas with a natural antibacterial like Seventh Generation or Method Sprays and wipes, ultra-violet light, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, or vinegar. Cough into your sleeve (the bend of your elbow) or a tissue not your hands. Don't stifle a cough and don't sniff the mucous back into your lungs. Sneezing, blowing your nose, and coughing are a must when trying to expel germs from the body. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

7. Take Some Medicine and Natural/Homeopathic Remedies if needed for symptoms: Make sure they are safe for pregnancy and nursing women. These come to mind: Tylenol/Acetaminophen, cough lozenges (esp. the kind with propolis or eucalyptus and lemon), Emergen-C, Airborne, Cold Eeze, Boiron.

8. Keep Taking Your Prenatals and Supplement: Prenatals are important. Do not stop taking them when you are sick. Also take some Echinacea angustofolia and zinc supplements if you are not getting them in your prenatal because they help with immune support.

9. Use Hot or Cold Packs: For aches and pains hot and cold packs work wonders. You can get herbal packs, rice packs, or hot water bottles that work without wasting electricity too.

10. Seek Medical/Homeopathic Advice/Attention: If all else fails and you still feel sick go to a medical/homeopathic professional. Your body might need some stronger medicine/remedies that can only be prescribed.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this blog post is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). I am not a medical professional, just a mom with a opinion. Even if a statement made about the medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms. I am only suggesting that you should try it for yourself and see if helps you. People are all different and outcomes could vary drastically.