Are over-the-counter cold medicines safe during pregnancy?

Not all cold medicines are safe during pregnancy. Always check with your doctor before taking any medication.

Which exercises are safe to do in winter while pregnant?

Safe winter exercises include walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga.

Common Winter Ailments During Pregnancy and How to Prevent Them

Have you noticed how winter can make even small discomforts feel much bigger when you’re pregnant? Even something as simple as a cold or a cough can feel extra uncomfortable when you’re carrying a baby.

You might wake up in the morning with a scratchy throat, a blocked nose, or just feeling achy and tired. It’s frustrating because your body is already working overtime, and now you have to deal with winter illnesses too.

The good thing is that many of these health issues can be managed or prevented with small, simple steps.

What Are Some Common Winter Illnesses During Pregnancy?

Winter is a beautiful season, but it also brings along some common health issues you should be aware of:

Common cold: Runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, chest stuffiness, mild headache, or low fever.
Flu (influenza): The flu hits harder and faster than a cold. You might suddenly feel very hot, shivery, achy all over, with a dry cough, headache, sore throat, and extreme tiredness.
Strep throat: Sharp pain while swallowing, or red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white spots. Fever, headache, and swollen glands in your neck are common signs, too.
Ear infection: Pain in the ear, often after congestion. You might also notice fluid leaking or a high fever.
Sinusitis: Lingering cold-like feeling with blocked sinuses and facial pressure.
Bronchitis: This is when your airways get inflamed, leading to a persistent cough with phlegm, wheezing, and a tight feeling in your chest.
Pneumonia: Watch out for a bad cough, trouble breathing, fever, or shallow, quick breaths. Pneumonia happens when your lungs fill with fluid and requires medical attention.
Gastroenteritis or norovirus (stomach bug): Vomiting, nausea, cramps, loose stools, and mild fever are common signs.
Joint pains: Aching from reduced blood flow to hands and feet in cold weather.
Asthma flare-ups: Cold air can trigger wheezing or tightness in the chest for people with asthma.
Seasonal mood dips: Tiredness or low mood from shorter daylight hours.
Heart strain: The cold can make your blood pressure rise slightly, which puts extra load on your heart.

Why Winter Illnesses Are More Common During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, your body adjusts your immune system so it can safely nurture your baby. But this also makes you more likely to catch infections, like the flu or a bad cold. A flu that might be mild for others can hit you harder and sometimes even require hospital care. If you get a high fever with it, that can increase the risk of early birth, low baby weight, or certain birth defects.

On top of that, if you get sick and end up vomiting or having diarrhoea, your body can become dehydrated. Dehydration can trigger uterine contractions, which increases the risk of preterm labour. Cough and cold during pregnancy may also last longer than usual or turn into sinus or ear infections.

How to Prevent Winter Illness During Pregnancy

These are some simple steps you can follow to stay safe:

Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, especially after going out or before eating.
Use sanitiser when water isn’t available.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Avoid close contact with sick people and crowded places whenever possible.
Drink plenty of water and warm fluids like herbal teas or soups to prevent dryness.
Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins to keep your body strong.
Get the flu shot. It's safe during pregnancy and helps reduce severe illness.
Rest well and try to get enough sleep every night.
Do gentle indoor exercises if it’s too cold to go outside.
Use a vapouriser or humidifier at home to keep the air moist.
Avoid sharing personal items like cups, towels, or utensils.
Layer your clothes to stay warm but avoid overheating.
Gargle with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat.
Use saline drops to clear a stuffy nose.

How to Ease Symptoms at Home

If you happen to fall sick, these home remedies for a cold during pregnancy can help you feel better:

Rest as much as you can: Your body needs it to fight off the illness and support your baby.
Sip plenty of fluids: Water, coconut water, or warm broths help keep you hydrated and comfortable.
Ease cough or congestion: Use gentle remedies like vapour rubs, saline sprays, or a humidifier to make breathing easier.
Try warm soups: Chicken soup can soothe your throat and reduce swelling in your sinuses.
Use warm packs: They can help with sinus pain, body aches, or sore joints.

When to Seek Medical Help

See your doctor right away if you notice any of these signs during your pregnancy:

High fever that lasts more than three days.
Worsening cough or trouble breathing.
Feeling dizzy or confused.
Fewer baby movements.
Chest pressure, intense headache, swelling, bleeding, or persistent vomiting.
Flu symptoms like sudden high fever, body aches, or extreme tiredness.

Winter can be tough on anyone, but when you’re pregnant, it’s extra important to take care of yourself. Pay attention to how your body feels, rest when you need to, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor if something seems off.

Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.

FAQs on Common Winter Ailments During Pregnancy and How to Prevent Them

Are over-the-counter cold medicines safe during pregnancy?
Not all cold medicines are safe during pregnancy. Always check with your doctor before taking any medication.
Which exercises are safe to do in winter while pregnant?
Safe winter exercises include walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga.