Cold medication during pregnancy?

Question

I am so so so so sick.. and 30 weeks pregnant.. I have tried to hold off taking any medications.. but I am not getting or feeling any better. My doctor says it's okay for me to take something along the lines of Tylenol Cold Medicine... So I have two questions..

Number one, How does me being sick affect the baby?
Number two, Even though my doc says it is okay for me to take the cold medication.. will it affect the baby? If so how?

Thanks in advance... :o)

Answer 1

Anything you take the baby takes. Doesnt matter what it is. Even the medication given during delivery. Baby takes those narcotics too.

Even with a cold, no matter if you're pregnant or not, its better to not take cold medication. Anything thats going to repress a cough or stop mucus production only prolongs how long the cold lasts, and makes it easier for you to get the next cold.

Its better to just keep blowing your nose, drink a lot of fluids, and stay as active as possible.

If you have a cold and its really making you feel terrible, take a tylenol, just regular tylenol, that will take away the pain from the pressure, and help with a head ache.

If you're body is aching, and you feel worse as days go by, you probably have a virus and not just a simple cold. I'd go get swabbed and make sure its not strep, or some sort of flu-like virus.

You're better to just awit it out. You cant take anything for a virus, including a cold virus that will really help or make it go away.

Answer 2

You need to take it easy when you are sick and pregnant. I was sick when I was half way through my pregnancy. It scared me to a point. I didn't know exactly how it would affect my child or would it hurt them if I took medicine.
The doctor usually gives you a list of medication you can take while pregnant. I actually took Walatrin D. (It is a generic brand of Claritan D. It can be found at Wal-Greens. The pharmacist told me it was the best thing to take. I only had to take one... It knocked it right out of me. You need to stay away from anything that makes you drowsy (those medicines have alcohol in them.) You are able to take tylenol also. My baby was fine after taking them. But if you do have a cold or the flu it is best to take care of it as fast as possible and get lots of rest. Also drink as much fluid as possible. You do not want to dehydrate yourself or your baby.

Answer 3

It may have a little affect on the baby but not enough to make a problem...at least that is what I would think since the Dr.s say it is okay to take it ..They would not let you harm your child...My Dr. had me take sudafed because the amounts of medicine in it are lower than Tylenol..I would ask your Dr. about it first if you want to go the route.I was high risk through out my whole pregnancy and I took it and it helped and did not cause any problems so I am sure it would be safe ..But always ask your own Dr. before taking anything it is better that way .GOOD LUCK and CONGRATS!!!!

Answer 4

I was told unless you have a fever, your baby is non the wiser you have anything. And it is strange your doc told you could take cold medicine. It was completely off limits for me! Only regular tylenol for the aches and pains and limited cough drops. Anyways, try Vicks Vapo rub and vaporizers, warm showers and sleep! Call in sick and eat some soup and watch Days of Our Lives. Good Luck! I know it sucks! I had like 3 colds and got the flu 2 too during my spring pregnancy.

Answer 5

I wouldn't take it because everything you take the baby takes. However your doctor gives you the go ahead then its really up to you on what you feel you should do. It probably won't effect the baby so you really don't need to worry about that. I got several colds when I was pregnant and I just waiting it out and drank lots of OJ for the vitamin C. It helped me but if you feel you want the medicine go ahead and take it. You're baby will be ok.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 6

Don't worry, your baby is ok. If all you have is a common cold, everything will be just fine. Tylenol is about the only thing you can take tho. And yes, everything you put into your bady affects your baby, but not always negatively. The tylenol won't hurt the child if the correct dose is taken.

Answer 7

Well, I had the same problem. Sick during pregnancy. It sucks. I had to take antibiotics and it broke me out in a rash. I became allergic to penicillin for the FIRST time ever. I also too Drixoral for allergies and cold during pregnancy. This was in l986....the doctor ok'd it....but now they know so much more. My daughter was born with asthma....but I had asthma as a baby myself.....She was a bedwetter til l3....but my mother and brother were bedwetters.....She became obsessive compulsive as a teen....but her Dad is one of those....so if you are asking me about the effect on the baby...I can't tell you...She is pretty, healthy, smart.....so I would take some medicine if I were you.....not for a long time.

Answer 8

You being sick is more stressful on your baby than taking the medicine. The medicine will only effect your baby a small amount, but you being sick is causing more stress on your unborn baby. Take your meds, get well before the birth of your baby. Good luck to you both.

Answer 9

Won't affect the baby, unless you start running a high fever.

It's okay to take the Tylenol cold.

Answer 10

I took Mucinex (expectorant)
Sudafed (decongestant)
Tylenol
and
Antibiotics
While I was pregnant. My daughter came out fine.
I had bronchitis during the 2nd month AND the 8th month.
I also relied on steam baths and saline nasal spray for congestion and sinus headache. Sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom, too.

If you don't completely believe your doctor, talk to the PHARMACIST. They know all about drugs and pregnancy, and are very cautious.

I had pre-eclampsia with my pregnancy, so I had to take sudafed judiciously because it is bad for high blood pressure.