What can you take for the flu whilst pregnant?

[Enchanted]

.... Besides nothing!!!

Well actually I'm not finding it that funny right now. I feel horrible... Sneezing, congested, headaches, achy, cough. I'm just about 34 weeks & was hoping that I would be able to take something other than panadol. Pharmacist said that he recommends that I don't take cold & flu tablets as it will raise my BP & some will be passed through the placenta. All which is fair enough. I spent yesterday and most of today in bed resting and drinking water.

So I'm wondering what others have taken whilst pregnant for the flu? Throw whatever you have at me, I'm looking for anything to feel even slightly better.

[BellyBelly]

Vitamin D3, immune boosting foods like garlic, probiotics (good ones!). Seen the BB article on the flu vaccine and pregnancy? Has heaps of info and tips in there

[Enchanted]

I always forget about the articles. Will go and have a look!!

Thanks!!

[Beach Mama]

You can go on msn and talk to your friend who you haven't spoken to in AGES and voila... headaches will magically disappear!! Promise! Hope you are feeling better soon babe xoxox

[turtlejane]

Vitamin C, olive leaf extract, echinacea are all good immune boosters.

Also a good chiro or osteo that specializes in pregnancy can help relieve symptoms

[BellyBelly]

Flu Vaccine and Pregnancy – To Flu Shot or Not Flu Shot?

“A clinical trial led by Mitsuyoshi Urashima and conducted by the Division of Molecular Epidemiology in the the Department of Pediatrics at the Jikei University School of Medicine Minato-ku in Tokyo found that vitamin D was extremely effective at halting influenza infections in children. The trial appears in the March 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The results are from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 334 children, half of which were given 1200 IUs per day of vitamin D3. In other words, this was a “rigorous” scientific study meeting the gold standard of scientific evidence."

[LimeSlice]

Nuke about 6 cloves of peeled garlic in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, put them on a teaspoon one at a time and cover them with honey, swallow them whole without chewing.

Do this 2-3 times a day.

Hope you feel better soon xx

[RhiChiChi]

Vitamin C, olive leaf extract, echinacea are all good immune boosters.

Also a good chiro or osteo that specializes in pregnancy can help relieve symptoms

Olive leaf extract is not proven to be safe in pg, so be very careful. I tried to obtain something from my health shop and they checked with the company who makes Olive Leaf extract and they would not offer an ok to use if pg.

[little_O]

I know whole garlic is better, but I wasn't game so I took odorless garlic tablets and they worked for me in late pregnancy. Also up to 1000mg of vitamin c

It sucks hey!

[BellyBelly]

Im pretty sure there have been trials showing those who took garlic regularly had less colds and shorter duration. Fresh is way better, cut to create the reaction, not sure if nuking it would be good as it could alter the properties/nutrition content?

[LimeSlice]

You are only doing it for 10 seconds, which aids in the breaking down of the cell membranes.
You could smash it under a knife and it would have the same effect, but not be as easy to swallow whole, and would have a much stronger flavour, again making it harder to swallow.

It works.

[Charlotte91]

I've got the whole deal, blocked sinuses, coughing up yellow mucus, ribs are killing me from coughing and just generally terrible.
I'm 39w and had my OB appt yesterday. He says my lungs and stuff are clear so he can't give me antibiotics because it wouldn't do anything.

He prescribed hot showers, steam and panadol.

I feel your pain.

[BellyBelly]

Yellow mucus means some sort of infection, i'd ramp up garlic, D3 and probiotics too. Not a fan of antibiotics especially in pregnancy, unless absolutely medically necessary (varies doctorto doctor on that too). When youre sick, your immune system isnt up to scratch. Its the reason you get sick. If you check out that article I explain it in detail

[BellyBelly]

I also read about how they are finding more and more that sinus problems are yeast/fungal based and probiotics are the best course of action and not antibiotics. Saw it again in a medscape article last night which reminded me.

[Traveller]

I also recommend honey and lemon in hot water (or with camomile tea or hot cordial) which is very soothing. You can also use eucalyptus drops in an oil burner or in some hot water in a bowl then rest your head over and inhale the steam. Panadol is find to take in pregnancy but the main thing is fluid and rest, hope you feel better soon xx