Sick While Pregnant? The Only Doctor-Approved Cold Medicines You Can Actually Take

Why Am I Suddenly So Susceptible to Colds?

If it feels like you’re catching every bug that goes around since you’ve become pregnant, you’re not imagining things. During pregnancy, your body performs a miraculous and complex balancing act. To protect your growing baby—who has DNA from both you and your partner—your immune system intentionally lowers its defenses. This process, called immunomodulation, prevents your body from identifying the fetus as a foreign entity and attacking it. It’s a beautiful, essential part of a healthy pregnancy.

However, this tempered immune response means you’re more vulnerable to common viruses like the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. It’s a trade-off: your body is focused on fetal protection, which can leave you more exposed. So, that lingering cough or stuffy nose isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a side effect of your body doing its most important job. Understanding this can help shift your perspective from frustration to a sense of awe for what your body is accomplishing. It also underscores the importance of being gentle with yourself and prioritizing rest and self-care when you do get sick.

First Line of Defense: Remedies That Are Always Safe

Before you even think about the pharmacy aisle, know that some of the most effective cold remedies are completely drug-free and 100% safe for you and your baby. Your body is working hard, and supporting its natural healing process is the best first step.

• Hydration is Key: Fluids help thin mucus and soothe a sore throat. Keep a large water bottle with you at all times. Warm liquids can be especially comforting, so consider clear broths, warm water with lemon and honey (honey is safe in pregnancy and has natural antibacterial properties), and pregnancy-safe herbal teas like peppermint or ginger.
• Prioritize Rest: This cannot be overstated. Your body needs energy to fight off the virus and to continue growing a healthy baby. Allow yourself to nap, go to bed early, and delegate tasks to your partner or support system. Pushing through will only prolong your illness.
• Embrace Steam and Humidity: A humidifier or vaporizer in your bedroom can work wonders for a stuffy nose and dry cough, especially overnight. If you don’t have one, a steamy shower can provide temporary relief. Standing in a steamy bathroom for 10-15 minutes can help loosen congestion and make breathing easier.
• Saline is Your Best Friend: Saline nasal sprays and rinses (like a Neti pot, if you’re comfortable using one with distilled water) are completely safe and incredibly effective. They moisturize your nasal passages and help flush out mucus and irritants without any medication.
• Soothe a Sore Throat: Gargling with warm salt water (about half a teaspoon of salt in a full glass of warm water) several times a day can reduce throat swelling and pain. Sucking on ice chips can also provide numbing relief.

Remember, these gentle remedies aren’t just about symptom relief; they are acts of self-care that honor the incredible work your body is doing.

Navigating Medication with Confidence

When natural remedies aren’t quite cutting it, you may need extra help. It is absolutely critical to consult your doctor, midwife, or pharmacist before taking any medication, even those listed here as generally safe. Dosing and safety can vary based on your trimester and personal health history. This chart is a guide to help you have an informed conversation with your healthcare provider.

Always choose single-ingredient preparations. Many ‘all-in-one’ cold and flu formulas contain multiple drugs, including some that are not recommended during pregnancy.

Protecting Your Baby: What Not to Take

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what is safe. Some of the most common, go-to cold medicines for non-pregnant adults pose potential risks to a developing fetus. Always read the active ingredients list on any product you consider taking.

Medications to Avoid Unless Specifically Directed by Your Doctor:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve): These are NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Taken in the third trimester, they can lead to the premature closing of a vital blood vessel in the baby’s heart. They may also reduce amniotic fluid levels. Acetaminophen is the much safer choice.
• Oral Decongestants (Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine): These ingredients, found in products like Sudafed and DayQuil, work by constricting blood vessels to reduce swelling in your nasal passages. There is concern that they could potentially restrict blood flow to the uterus, particularly in the first trimester. Their use later in pregnancy is also controversial, so they should be avoided unless your doctor explicitly approves.
• Aspirin: While low-dose aspirin is sometimes prescribed by doctors for specific pregnancy conditions like preeclampsia, it should not be used for general pain or fever relief during pregnancy due to risks of bleeding.
• Certain Herbal Remedies: ‘Natural’ does not always mean ‘safe’ in pregnancy. Supplements like Echinacea, Goldenseal, and others lack sufficient safety data and should be avoided. Stick to remedies with a long history of safe use, like lemon and honey.
• Combination ‘All-in-One’ Medicines: Avoid products that treat multiple symptoms at once (e.g., ‘Cold & Flu Max Strength’). They often contain a cocktail of ingredients, including ones on this avoidance list. It’s far safer to treat each symptom individually with an approved, single-ingredient product.

Trusting Your Instincts: When to Call Your Doctor or Midwife

Most colds will resolve on their own with rest and gentle care. However, your pregnant body is under different kinds of stress, and it’s important to be vigilant. Never hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you feel something is wrong. They would much rather hear from you and offer reassurance than have you worry at home.

Call your provider immediately if you experience any of the following:

• A high or persistent fever: A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that doesn’t come down with an approved dose of acetaminophen.
• Symptoms that worsen or don’t improve: If your cold lasts longer than 10-14 days or your symptoms become more severe, it could be a sign of a secondary infection like sinusitis or bronchitis.
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pain: These are never normal symptoms and require immediate medical attention.
• Severe headache or sinus pain: Intense pain, especially if localized to one area of your face or accompanied by a high fever, could indicate a sinus infection.
• Productive cough with colored mucus: While clear or white mucus is normal, green or yellow mucus can sometimes signal a bacterial infection that needs treatment.
• Vomiting or inability to keep fluids down: Dehydration is a serious concern during pregnancy.
• Any change in fetal movement: If you notice your baby is moving less than usual, call your provider right away. You know your body and your baby best. Trust that instinct.