Caring for the Common Cold

While you may find people a little short on sympathy when you cope with a cold while being pregnant, those of us who have been there know the stress involved as you treat your symptoms in a way that's safe for your growing fetus. The good news is that there are many things you can do to keep yourself (or your child) comfortable as your cold runs its course.

• A warm, steamy shower can do wonders to clear a congested chest, nose, or throat.
• Extra rest and increasing fluid intake really does work to help with a cold.
• Remedies you might remember from your youth—such as hot water with honey (which should not be given to children under the age of one year due to the possibility of botulism) for a cough, a cool-mist vaporizer aimed at the face, and using a menthol-smelling chest rub—can jumpstart your family on the road back to good health.

If your symptoms aren't relieved by the above measures, speak with your healthcare provider. Most will say that over-the-counter remedies such as Tylenol, Robitussin, and Sudafed are fine to use while pregnant, as long as you are past the first eight weeks of pregnancy.