Tips for Naturally Combating Colds and Flus While Pregnant

Getting the confirmation that you’re pregnant can be one of the most exciting days of your life and planning for the baby's arrival is full of joy, too. However, the pregnancy months are often a struggle and made even trickier because it’s generally unwise to take many medications while growing a baby.

Happily, there are some natural ways you can combat colds, the flu, coughs, and the like during this stressful nine-month period. Here are some strategies to try out.

Take Steps to Avoid Sickness

Firstly, you may not need to deal with sicknesses such as colds and the flu if you take steps to keep yourself healthy. Wash your hands often and don’t touch your face more than necessary, especially when you’re out in public places touching germ-laden objects such as handrails, doorknobs, shopping trolleys, etc. Keep your home as clean as possible, so bugs don’t have the chance to linger.

It pays to stay away from sick people, too, so you don’t catch colds, the flu, or coughs from them. Also, look for ways to boost your immunity in general. Get enough sunlight, stay warm in the winter, and utilize supplements as necessary. For example, buy some echinacea gummies to improve your system or take vitamin C, vitamin B, garlic, and zinc, among other things.

Eat Nutritious Meals

Another way to stay healthy and deal with illness if you come down with a cold or flu, etc., while pregnant is to keep eating nutritious meals. If you’re feeling nauseous often, you may not be able to handle eating larger meals. However, focus on snacking on small portions to ensure you get plenty of food. Plus, eat items that will keep your levels of vitamins and minerals up.

Sound choices include quality soups and broths that are light but contain beneficial ingredients or salads and fruit. Fresh produce can inject helpful nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, and E into you ASAP, along with zinc and selenium, to name a few. Asian mushrooms such as reishi and shitake are beneficial for their antiviral and antibacterial properties, too.

Plus, make sure you’re getting enough healthy fats and complex carbohydrates in your diet while pregnant. Raw honey can also aid your body and help soothe a raw throat if you get sick.

Keep Hydration Levels High

Don’t forget to stay well hydrated. Dehydration can make you more likely to get sick, make it harder for you to get better, and pose risks to you and your baby. As such, if you come down with a cold or flu, take care to consume plenty of liquids such as filtered water, fresh juice, green smoothies, and coconut water, which will help boost your electrolytes.

Another option is raw apple cider vinegar diluted in water. This ingredient can help alkalinize your body and thus make it more challenging for germs to survive. Tea is another drink worth sipping on regularly while pregnant, particularly if you come down with a bug. Stick with decaffeinated tea such as peppermint, chamomile, or ginger, or try simple hot water with lemon and honey added to it.

Focus on Sleep

If you get sick with a cold, flu, or cough while you’re pregnant, do yourself a favor and get as much rest as possible. This R&R is necessary anyhow when you’re growing a bub, but even more so when ill. Your body needs adequate deep sleep to heal, after all. Take small naps through the day as needed, or at least sit or lie down and relax if you can’t get to sleep.

Use Natural Throat Pain Remedies

Many people who get a cold or flu get struck down with pain in the throat. If you find yourself in this position, you can use natural remedies to cope. For example, gargle with some saltwater to ease the discomfort or suck on ice chips. You might also use cough drops or throat lozenges to feel better and combat a nasty cough.

Combat Congestion

Congestion is a likely issue if you’re unwell with a cold or flu, too. To ease this symptom, use saline nose drops to clear your nasal passages. Use a few drops in each nostril, wait ten minutes or so, then blow your nose. This should help you get more sleep, too.

Plus, it pays to take advantage of eucalyptus-based and other chest rubs or try steam vaporizers or humidifiers. These items help because they moisturize the air around you and can thus ease congestion in the chest and nose.

When you’re pregnant, it’s frustrating not being able to use the medications you’d usually rely on otherwise. However, it’s worth testing out all the solutions above to see what works for you during these nine months.