Hack. Cough. Snot. Sneeze.
This pregnancy cold is kicking my ass. I had an acupuncture session yesterday and was warned that it would make things worse before they got better but wow did they get bad. Itchy, sore throat, running and stuffy nose, headache from sinus pressure, sneezing and coughing from post nasal drip. It was miserable. Although I should change my official title to snot factory, I am doing a lot better today and I'm hoping that acupuncture at least helped shorten the duration of the cold. S told me that pregnancy colds can last twice as long and when Dr. D called to discuss our next appointment, he cheerfully apologized and told me that viruses love pregnant women!
Your immune system changes while pregnant to prevent your body from attacking the embryo, technically a foreign "other" hanging out in your uterus. This might as well paint a great big target on your back for even the weakest and most punny viruses to come have a go. I'm not even sure where I picked up the virus, as everyone I spend time with is still perfectly healthy. No, this virus is allllll for me.
Since I'm officially preggo and in the most delicate time period, I'm not allowed to take anything for a cold. To try and make things less miserable, I've been breaking out every pregnancy safe natural remedy I can think of to reduce symptoms.
- Gargling - This is pretty much the most effective thing you can do for a sore throat. Mine is both itchy and sore and I've been alternating gargling hot water mixed with a splash of sea salt or apple cider vinegar. The vinegar is particularly unsavory, especially if you're already sensitive to odors, but it does help. I do this as needed, depending on how bad it is the gargling usually relieves symptoms for a couple of hours and I have to do it before bed or the itching keeps me up.
- Neti Pot - Now that my nose is a constant plugged/leaking faucet, this thing has been a lifesaver. It washes so much crap out of my nose that it's unbelievable and really helps me breathe. I've been using it a few times a day and especially before bed so I can get to sleep.
- Cough drops - S is really strict about medications including cough drops but she did say I could suck on pure menthol ones when my throat gets really bad. I definitely needed them yesterday when my throat was at its itchiest and I just wanted to stick a fork down there.
- Humidifier - I didn't use one the first day and sincerely regretted it when I couldn't get to sleep until after 3am because my throat was so sore and itchy. Since then I've had it running constantly with some menthol vapor that really soothes my nose and throat. I'm keeping it handy from now on, no going back into storage.
- Tea and Soup - pretty much the only things that don't feel awful to swallow are tea and soup. E has kept me going with a constant supply of hot herbal tea and matzo ball soup and I am so, so grateful. Add a splash of lemon to the tea to cut the mucous and a little bit of honey to coat your throat and that's pretty much the best you can do.
I'm crossing everything that this cold moves on swiftly and doesn't come back anytime soon. I really don't want my body under any stress while our little embie's organs are vulnerable and developing. I'm also coming up on the time when morning sickness usually starts and I can't imagine barfing with my throat already this sore. Hopefully any future illnesses can hold off until at least the second trimester when our little one is more developed.
