Hello moms,
I'm about 36 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. I have extreme nasal congestion where I'm only breathing through my mouth, making my mouth dry and throat sore. I've tried the Neti pot, saline sprays, saline rinses, vaporub, and cough drops (for the menthol). Everything is temporary relief. Steam showers help a little. When I blow my nose, air puffs out but no mucus. Sleeping is pretty horrible, compounded by having to pee all night. I'm drinking lots of liquids to stay hydrated. My doc says this is very common during late pregnancy and it will lift after delivery (which I'm anxiously awaiting but really want my baby to stay in until at least 37-38 weeks). My doc says Sudafed would be okay, but it makes preggo moms a little "loopy". I can't even tell if this is the result of a lingering cold, allergy, or just pregnancy because the baby is crowding my lungs. Anyone with advice about what I can safely take? Should I just suffer through it? (as I have for about 3 weeks now) Thanks!
Can't-breathe-right momma
Thanks for all the great responses. After delivering about 2 weeks ago, my extreme nasal congestion has definitely cleared up. I have my sense of smell again! So now I have the Netti Pot sinus rinse as a backup in case my seasonal allergies flare up again. I also used the nasal saline sprays, which my docs have deemed as safe. Zicam, which is pretty strong, was the only spray that really worked but it kind of zapped my sense of smell for awhile. Sudafed, Benadryl, and other OTC meds worked temporarily but I didn't want to develop a dependency so I really limited their usages. Getting a cool-mist humidifier helped as well. The last few weeks of pregnancy were definitely a doozy, but I am so thankful for having my nose back along with a brand-new baby boy. I've never been so happy to be able to breathe easily and smell my new baby, his poopy diapers, and my leaking breastmilk!
A humidifier will do the trick. If you get hot use a "cool" air mist one. If not a regular one will do. This will really help at night. They also have air filters too which help filter the air! Good luck!
I had the same problem and I took sudafed. No problems whatsoever and it helped alot, although I definitely wasn't breathing normally. The bad news is that my sinus problems have continued for the last 3 years. I hope you don't have this problem!
Guaifensin (Mucinex)
I'm pretty sure it's ok for preggo moms, it just loosens the mucus so that it can move out of you. A lot of cough/cold meds have this combined w/other stuff, you want only guaifensin cuz the other stuff probably isn't good for preg moms.
Hang in there.
One other great soother is to get a mug, fill it w/lemon juice & honey (and some water), warm it up, and drink. My friend makes a lemon/ginger mixture that she freezes as icecubes and then when your throat's feeling awful or for whatever reason you need it, you plop a couple icecubes in and honey to taste and water. It is soo soothing, I wish I had some right now but I ran out and she's just getting over a bout of illness so I am waiting before I bug her for the recipe. :)
Updated
Guaifensin (Mucinex)
I'm pretty sure it's ok for preggo moms, it just loosens the mucus so that it can move out of you. A lot of cough/cold meds have this combined w/other stuff, you want only guaifensin cuz the other stuff probably isn't good for preg moms.
Hang in there.
One other great soother is to get a mug, fill it w/lemon juice & honey (and some water), warm it up, and drink. My friend makes a lemon/ginger mixture that she freezes as icecubes and then when your throat's feeling awful or for whatever reason you need it, you plop a couple icecubes in and honey to taste and water. It is soo soothing, I wish I had some right now but I ran out and she's just getting over a bout of illness so I am waiting before I bug her for the recipe. :)
This totally happened to me and I took the Sudafed that is ok to take while pregnant (behind the counter at the pharmacy). For me it didn't do much. But, what worked the best was a warm mist humidifier. I had tried everything and finally went out and bought one and it helped with the sleeping and kind of clearing my nose. Also, sleep with 2 pillows or something so you are a little upright.
Hang in there! It went away as soon as I had my baby! :)
As mentioned below your nasal passages are swollen, not your lungs. Sudafed did not make me loopy. It is fine to take. You might try cool compresses also, they make a mask thing you could relax with.
I had the same problem and really could not sleep at all. My OB/GYN prescribed Flonase for me. It really helped. I also used saline spray, breatheright strips, etc. in combination with the spray. Sudafed works but keeps you up at night. You could try a half or quarter dose of Sudafed and see if it helps w/o keeping you awake.
Double check with your doc:
Sudafed (behind the counter but no Rx needed) Pseudoephedrine Hcl (which is an amaaaaazing decongestant)
or
Sudafed PE which is what's out on the shelves and is an antihistamine?
I used Sudafed (pseudoephedrineHcl) while pregnant, and it didn't make me loopy, just orgasmically grateful I could breathe again.
Maybe the breathing strips would help with the breathing at night.
I had the same problem for both of my pregnancies...I used breathe right strips, mostly at night to sleep and it helped me a lot. Good luck and hang in there. Only a few weeks to go!
I responded to a similar question like this one last week, I think. My cold cure-all is garlic. if your stomach can handle it, crush two garlic cloves in a mug of hot water, let it steep until you can drink it and drink it down. It is somewhat temporary, but it's safe and it cuts my colds in half. Drink it twice a day and see if it helps you! Good luck!
That is no fun at all. I don't know how much sudafed can help since it just sounds like your nostrils are swollen. I had the same promlem and still do occasionally due to allergies and there is "nothing there" to get rid of. My doc allowed me to use Flonase. It totally reduses the swelling so you can breathe again. They've done testing and the Flosase isn't detectible in the blood which means none of it gets to the baby. I've never had a side effect from it and its different than over the counter Afrin nose sprays that can damage you or become addicting. Good luck. :-)
If your dr. okayed taking sudafed, I would take one 30 minutes before bed so that you can get some decent sleep. And maybe try to use a cool mist humidifier in your room.
Congestion in your sinuses isn't because your lungs are crowded. Sinus congestion is swelling in the passages... which, your whole body is retaining a lot of fluids right about now contributing to that.
I hope you have some relief and get some rest before the baby arrives.
Congrats.
I'm only 16 weeks and have had this from the 3rd week of pregnancy. I sympathize - but not much you can do.
Start using a humidifier in your room 24/7. During the winter months especially when the heater is run this dries the air. It will dry your skin, mucus membranes and congest and even constipate you. During summer - air conditioner can do the same thing. The moist air will help you breathe easier and your skin will feel better. It will be good to have a humidifier on hand when the baby comes. when mucus is moister it is easier to get out of you and baby.
