August 2016 Moms

Congestion Help

I think I've already asked this, but I couldn't find my post :-(  What do you all take/do for congestion?  Every other time I've been sick this pregnancy, which feels like every other week, I've just tried to suck it up and deal, but I legit cannot breathe today, this is the worst it's been all winter.  I need to find something to get some relief, it's making my eyes water it's so bad.  I'm tempted to just do a spray or two of Afrin and play dumb.  I love winter, but I'm ready to be done being sick all.the.time.thank.you.daycare.
DD  <3 6/15/2014
Baby #2 due 8/11/2016

Re: Congestion Help

  • I was congested all the time at night and found the biggest relief EVER from putting a humidifier in my bedroom!! Not kidding I thought I was up every 2 hours because I had to pee, but once I put in the humidifier I'm sleeping like a baby. The furnace really dries out the house. It may not help if you have a cold/infection, but for my nagging congestion it worked wonders. 
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  • Claritin daily. It helps, even if you don't have allergies. Or if you think it's a sinus infection (which I had) 1 to 2 days of Sudafed! I also use Vicks at night and essential oils in the shower (peppermint and eucalyptus).
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • I do use a humidifier, but the problem is when I'm sitting suffering at work during the day, that seems to be when it's the worst (i.e. right now).  It's terrible....the people around me must think I have the plague.  I definitely have a cold, it's not just a nagging congestion - thanks DD.
    DD  <3 6/15/2014
    Baby #2 due 8/11/2016

  • I believe Sudafed is pregnancy safe! (My friend took it while she was pregnant with her doc's ok - better check with yours just to be safe.) Hope you can get some relief.
      


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  • Sipping hot peppermint tea helps too. 
  • I used to get sinus infections every time I had a cold and at an urgent care when I was pregnant last time, the dr. on call recommended Mucinex instead of a decongestant.  It's safe when you are pregnant and rather than dry out your sinuses, it loosens everything up.  It always helps me breathe better when I have a cold now (agree, thanks daycare!) but I have to say it doesn't seem to work that way for my husband.  However, it is worth a try!  Maybe TMI but while pregnant it has made my pee smell but I don't remember that happening when not pregnant!

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  • @mmclark10 yes I forgot about Mucinex. My doctor said that was fine to take also. She also like I said recommended Sudafed for a day or two at a time and that worked wonders for me!
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • I just went and got some Sudafed.  Hopefully it helps!  I can actually get Mucinex for free, and I know pretty much all those type of products are safe as long as they don't have the "D," which you have to get from the pharmacist anyway.  However, for some reason, Mucinex always makes me nauseous - so sad since I wouldn't have to pay for it lol.
    DD  <3 6/15/2014
    Baby #2 due 8/11/2016

  • On the go.... Take a whiff of eucalyptus oil. At night I use a dehumidifier with eucalyptus and lavender oil in the water


    Pregnancy20ticker

  • Beathe Right strips helped me at night when I had congestion from a cold in the first trimester. 
  • I have terrible allergies and being pregnant has made it worse. I take Allegra daily, Rhinocort nasal spray as needed and used a humidifier with nasal breathe right strips at night. 
    Expecting baby #1 August 2016 
    Already have three furbabies- Blake, Sydney, and Chester 


  • I have bad allergies and have had chronic nasal congestion for a long time. Pregnancy definitely made it worse. I have avoided Sudafed (systemic med that constricts your blood vessels just makes me nervous about baby getting enough blood supply). I do use Afrin (have for 5+ years) as that is more local constriction right where you need it. I also take Claritin or Zyrtec every day, have a humidifier in my room, and carry saline nasal spray with me everywhere. 
    Married 09/2014
    BFP #1 11/19/15 | DS 07/16/2016
    BFP #2 09/03/17 | EDD 05/17/2018
  • Saline nasal spray helps me. My OB said Afrin was OK to take for short term. I also got the OK to take claritin daily. Good luck!
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • Thanks ladies!  I got Sudafed, but I don't think it did anything, so I didn't take it again.  I gave in and got Afrin, and used that over the weekend.  I can somewhat breathe today, so I think I'm going to stop taking it now - thank goodness.  I also used the nasal strips that my husband uses at night to help with snoring, and they actually seemed to help a little.  My skin has been super oily with this pregnancy, so they ended up coming off by the time I woke up lol, but I do think they helped a bit while they stayed on.  Hopefully the worst of this cold is behind me.  I never got yellow or green mucus, so I think this was just an awful cold - no sinus infection.
    DD  <3 6/15/2014
    Baby #2 due 8/11/2016

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