When carrying a baby, staying healthy is an important responsibility. However, due to pregnancy, your immune system makes changes to your body that make you more susceptible to catching the common cold or cough. If you come down with something on your surrogacy journey, here are some safe cold remedies that will help you get better as soon as you can!
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Staying hydrated when you’re sick helps replace the fluids in your body that you lose due to a runny nose or congestion. Things that help keep you hydrated include:
- Decaffeinated Tea (adding honey or lemon also helps if you have a sore throat)
- Chicken soup (or any soup with a light broth base)
- Ginger ale or Gatorade (just be mindful of the sugar content)
Get Lots of Sleep and Rest
Your body is working in overdrive when you’re sick to fight off that bug. That’s why it’s important to get lots of needed shut eye so your body can do its job. If you’re struggling to find ways to rest, here are some ideas to help:
- If you have kids, ask your partner, spouse, family member or friend to help watch them for a few hours while you take a nap
- Earplugs and sleeping masks are a great way to block out distractions
- A quiet bubble bath is great for quick rest and relaxation
Treat your Sore Throat and/or Congestion Naturally
Natural treatments are always recommended when treating icky cold symptoms such as congestion or a sore throat. Here are a few things you can do to help combat these symptoms:
- Gargle warm salt water if you have a sore throat or cough
- Drink lemon and/or honey in hot water to help soothe a sore throat or cough
- Try a humidifier
Ask your Doctor about Safe Medications
If the natural remedies aren’t enough, ask your doctor about safe medications you can take. While medications such as acetaminophen as usually safe, every pregnancy is different and we always recommend checking with them first to be sure, especially if you’re a surrogate.
*sources: https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/treating-during-pregnancy#home-remedies