Colds / Pain / Fever during pregnancy

A cold is very common during pregnancy and, in most cases, harmless. You do not simply have to put up with the symptoms just because you are pregnant. Many symptoms can be effectively relieved with suitable medication taken for a short period.

Pain and fever

For pain or a fever, paracetamol is the first-choice treatment during pregnancy.

• Paracetamol 500 mg is available over the counter at pharmacies.
• If necessary, you can take 1 tablet up to every 6 hours.
• Maximum: 4 tablets of 500 mg each per day.

If paracetamol does not provide sufficient relief, ibuprofen may sometimes be more effective for more severe headaches (e.g. migraine-like symptoms).

• Ibuprofen 400 mg can be used for a short period up to the 28th week of pregnancy.
• Take as required, up to every 8 hours (maximum 3 tablets per day).
• Ibuprofen should no longer be taken after the 28th week of pregnancy.

For a cold

It is important to:

• drink plenty of fluids
• Rest and sleep
• Regular ventilation
• Warm drinks (e.g. ginger tea or cold remedy tea)

The following can be taken for short-term relief:

• vitamin C (1–2 g daily)
• Zinc (20 mg daily)

Both are available over the counter at the chemist’s.

Common cold / blocked nose

The following help with a cold:

• Seawater nasal spray
• Nasal rinses
• Inhalations

If you have a severely blocked nose, particularly if it is affecting your sleep, decongestant nasal sprays can be used for a short period, for example:

• Nasivin® (oxymetazoline)
• Otriven® (xylometazoline)

Please use only as required and for as few days as possible.

Sore throat

The following may provide short-term relief for a sore throat:

• Dolo-Dobendan® lozenges
  (Allow 1 lozenge to dissolve slowly in the mouth as required, up to a maximum of 8 lozenges per day)
• Emser® lozenges
• isla® lozenges
• hot drinks
• Honey (if tolerated)
• Gargling with salt water

Cough

The following are helpful:

• drink plenty of fluids
• Inhalations
• Honey for a dry, irritating cough

If necessary, suitable cough medicines may be used on a short-term basis, for example:

• Prospan® (ivy extract)

If you are unsure, please feel free to ask us.

When should you contact us?

Please get in touch with us if:

• the fever remains above 38 °C despite taking paracetamol
• you feel significantly unwell or very unwell
• your symptoms do not improve over several days or get worse
• You notice a reduction in foetal movements

In the case of a normal infection without a persistent fever and where the baby’s movements are normal, you do not need to come to the surgery for every cold. First try the measures mentioned above and take it easy.

We hope you get well soon!