How does a cough affect the fetus?

How does a cough affect the fetus during pregnancy?

During nine months of pregnancy, a woman has time to catch a cold, catch an infection, flu, runny nose or cough. The danger of a cough depends on its cause and the extent of inflammation in the pregnant woman's respiratory tract.

Table of contents:

How harmful is it to catch a cold and cough, and how does a cough affect the fetus during pregnancy? Can severe coughing cause premature labor? The answers to these and other questions are in our article.

How does a cough affect pregnancy?

A cough is a contraction of the abdominal, chest and back muscles, which leads to a sharp release of air. Along with air, sputum is removed from the pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. Coughing is necessary to clean the respiratory tract, removing mucus, sputum or toxic substances and foreign objects from them.

A cough is the result of inflammation or irritation. When it occurs:

  • Irritation can occur due to an allergic reaction or when indoor air is too dry.
  • Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract occurs when it gets infected.

The so-called throat cough forms on the inflamed, irritated or dry surface of the throat mucosa. It does not cause contraction of the abdominal muscles and does not have any effect on the fetus. Therefore, if the cough during pregnancy is shallow, it does not pose a danger to the unborn child, but it causes discomfort to the expectant mother, causing her discomfort, irritation, and pain.

Bronchitis or pleurisy is formed when the infection penetrates deeply into the respiratory organs. With these diseases, a deep cough is formed, which causes contraction of the muscles involved in breathing. Severe bronchitis cough is accompanied by reflex contractions of the uterus.

Previously, no large-scale studies have been conducted on the effect of cough on the course of pregnancy. It is also not clear what affects pregnancy more - strong contractions of the muscles of the respiratory tract or the painful factors accompanying them (temperature, intoxication, infection). But the issue of timely treatment of cough still remains very relevant, especially in the early stages of pregnancy.

Is coughing dangerous during pregnancy?

Often what is dangerous for a pregnant woman is not a cough, but the factors that accompany its appearance (temperature, inflammation, breathing problems, insufficient oxygen supply to the blood). These factors are the causes of possible pathologies in the uterine development of a child. Therefore, they are often the ones who pose a danger to the fetus in the womb.

So, cough during pregnancy - why it’s dangerous:

  • prolonged stress;
  • infection;
  • inflammation and intoxication;
  • prolonged high temperature;
  • fetal hypoxia.

Now let’s take a closer look at how the listed factors worsen the condition of the fetus and the course of pregnancy. Cough during pregnancy - is it dangerous for the health of the unborn child?

Cough during pregnancy is dangerous due to stress

Every woman worries whether her cold is dangerous for the development of her unborn baby. Therefore she is in a state of stress. Nervous experiences initiate the formation of cortisol (stress hormone). It stimulates the heart and causes tension (spasm) of blood vessels.

This reaction of the body is aimed at preserving life. The brain automatically responds to stress. This is a danger that may require fast running and lightning-fast decision-making. Therefore, following experiences, hormonal changes and the release of cortisol occur.

The prolonged presence of cortisol can harm the fetus. Why stress hormone is not beneficial for the baby in the womb:

  • Prolonged vascular spasm disrupts the nutrition and oxygen supply of the fetus.
  • Prolonged or strong exposure to cortisol causes the placenta to release another hormone, which triggers the onset of labor. This is one of the reasons why women give birth prematurely due to severe fright.

Cortisol easily crosses the placenta and enters the baby's brain. Therefore, even if you have pneumonia, you must remain calm. Many women have had an infection during pregnancy. Most of them gave birth to healthy children.

Cough is dangerous due to high fever

Is a cough dangerous if it appears against a background of fever? Yes, if this temperature exceeds +38.5° and lasts for several days. Prolonged high fever is undesirable for a pregnant woman. It disrupts the blood supply and creates fetal hypoxia. Also, high temperature is accompanied by severe intoxication. Toxic substances can cause fetal death during pregnancy.

High temperature and embryonic age

The consequences of cough during pregnancy, the likelihood and severity of complications due to high fever depend on the age of the fetus. The most severe complications occur with prolonged high fever for up to 12 weeks. During this period, the placenta is not yet formed; it does not protect the fetus from the negative effects of high temperature.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the placenta is already formed and is a full-fledged protective barrier. Therefore, as a rule, the fetus does not develop any complications.

In the last trimester, especially in the 8th and 9th months, the likelihood of complications increases. During these periods, the high temperature of the mother does not cause pathologies in the development of the fetus. But it causes aging of the placenta. This leads to premature birth or abruption of the baby's place, the need for urgent surgery (caesarean section).

Cough is dangerous due to possible infection

Infection is a common cause of cough. Coughing can be accompanied by various diseases. What infectious diseases are dangerous for a pregnant woman?

  • Rubella - in 80% of cases it causes fetal deformities, as well as developmental pathologies that are incompatible with life (with rubella, a dry throat cough is formed).
  • ARVI (various strains of influenza) - can form disorders if the embryo is up to 12 weeks old.

Wet or dry cough: which is worse for a pregnant woman?

At various stages of inflammation, the cough can be wet or dry. Wet - accompanied by the discharge (rising from the bronchi) of sputum. It is called productive. It is not dangerous for a woman and the uterine development of her unborn child.

Unlike a wet cough, a dry cough is called unproductive (barking, hacking). With a dry cough, there is no secretion and there is no mucus in the respiratory passages. Prolonged attacks of dry cough can cause vomiting and increase the tone of the uterus. Therefore, it is especially important to treat such a cough using tablets approved for pregnant women (for example, Mucaltin), syrups, lozenges, lozenges or folk remedies.

Prolonged dry coughing is dangerous for a pregnant woman. It causes frequent shaking of the abdominal cavity and forms constant tension in the abdominal muscles. Hence the conclusion: a strong barking cough during pregnancy is dangerous. Miscarriage or premature birth is possible.

Why cough is dangerous during pregnancy: consequences

Let us list the pathological processes that can accompany a mother’s prolonged cough during pregnancy.

Hypoxia or suffocation

The term hypoxia literally means “suffocation.” The child may experience varying degrees of oxygen deprivation. Hypoxia is formed when the walls of the abdominal cavity are tense. Tight muscles compress blood vessels and restrict blood flow. At the same time, less blood and less oxygen are supplied to the child.

Chronic hypoxia causes congenital abnormalities of the brain and nervous system.

Increased uterine tone

The uterus is a hollow muscular organ. Like any other human muscle, the uterus is capable of contracting and contracting. Prolonged excessive coughing can cause contraction of the abdominal muscles and uterine tone. In the later stages, such a cough can provoke premature birth.

Another possible complication (although it occurs infrequently) is placental abruption. This pathology occurs in pregnant women with low presentation. Fastening the child's seat below is dangerous due to its early premature detachment. Cough is a provoking factor that increases pressure on the placenta and sometimes leads to its separation.

Eating disorders

While in the womb, the child receives nutrition through the mother's blood. Prolonged frequent coughing causes tension in the abdominal muscles and narrowing of blood vessels. This reduces the amount of nutrients that reach the placenta.

If a cough continues for a long time during pregnancy, then metabolic processes between the woman and the fetus are hampered. What can cause low weight in a child after birth?

How does cough affect the fetus during pregnancy?

Let's summarize the above and answer, does coughing during pregnancy affect the child? Does it cause serious developmental pathologies?

The influence of a cough is determined by the strength, duration, nature of coughing, as well as the presence of additional unfavorable factors (temperature, inflammation, infection). A short wet cough does not cause pathology in the unborn baby. The healthy course of pregnancy can be disrupted by prolonged dry coughing, as well as high fever and infection.

If there is a strong cough during pregnancy, the impact on the fetus will concern the disruption of the blood supply to the placenta, nutrition, and breathing of the unborn child in the womb. With prolonged coughing, the following processes occur in the body of the uterine baby:

  • Impaired blood supply means insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrition to the fetus.
  • Increased uterine tone - which means the likelihood of miscarriage or premature birth.

If your cough is periodic, short-term, and you clear your throat easily and do not strain, this does not pose a danger to your unborn child.

Consequences of cough during pregnancy

When the expectant mother gets sick and coughs badly, the fetus gets sick along with her. How dangerous is this for the development of the unborn baby? Today there is no clear answer about possible complications. Since there are no large-scale medical studies on this issue. At a high temperature, the expectant mother may experience a temporary disruption of the blood supply to the fetus in the womb, and in some rare cases, the development of deformities and defects.

We list the complications that may appear in a child after a mother’s cold during pregnancy:

  • Soreness and weak immunity.
  • Child's nervousness.
  • Prolonged cough in the last months of pregnancy - possible low weight of the fetus, its unpreparedness for childbirth, and as a result - weak labor, birth trauma.

The above complications do not necessarily have to form in the baby’s body. Therefore, you should not make difficult predictions. It is better to consult a doctor, start treatment and get rid of a cold or infection.

Finally

A severe cough is a symptom of many colds. A woman can become infected with them during pregnancy. If a cough occurs, it is important not to panic or create stress. It is necessary to be examined, determine the cause and take measures for treatment.

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Do you have a question or experience regarding this issue? Ask a question or tell us about it in the comments.

I was very afraid of getting sick, I tried, but I couldn’t protect myself. At week 29, the kidney stones made themselves felt, and besides, I caught a cold. They put me on IVs, gave me pain relief, and prescribed Prospan syrup for my cough. Within 5 days, the cough went away, but my kidneys were still in bed for another 2 weeks.

I only got sick once during pregnancy, in the third trimester, and I think I even lasted a long time. And then, the cough was quickly cured, the doctor also told me to drink Prospan syrup, literally a few days was enough. The cough went away and the phlegm got rid of.

I had a terrible, dry cough at 7 months. I thought I’d spit out the baby too. There is nothing good about this. On the advice of my doctor, I took inhalations with Prospan drops. I breathed through a nebulizer. It helped a lot. Relief came almost immediately. The urge to cough has decreased.

Source: http://www.pulmonologiya.com/simptomy/cough/vlijanie-na-plod.html

How does a cough during pregnancy affect the fetus: why is it dangerous, which is the most dangerous and how to be treated correctly

Cough, runny nose, colds are something that everyone gets sick with every year. Typically, such manifestations of the disease do not cause serious concern. But what if the sick person is pregnant? What can cause a common cough? How does cough during pregnancy affect the fetus? How dangerous is this? Let's try to figure it out and answer all the questions.

Causes of cough

When describing the effect of cough on the course of pregnancy, it is necessary to clarify that we are talking about a prolonged cough, and not an occasional light cough. The reasons causing this phenomenon may be:

Cough during pregnancy

  • dustiness
  • increased dryness of the room
  • pungent, irritating odors
  • smoke
  • other reasons

If the cough is not constant, then there is no cause for concern. If coughing attacks are regular, you should consult a doctor.

The effect of cough on pregnancy

A sharp contraction of the diaphragm leads to abdominal tension, and this can lead to uterine tone. As a result, blood circulation in the placenta is disrupted and the fetus ceases to receive the required amount of oxygen and micronutrients. In severe cases, fetal hypoxia may occur.

At different stages of pregnancy, cough has its consequences.

Danger of cough 1st trimester

In the first months of pregnancy, a woman’s immunity decreases significantly and the risk of infectious diseases increases. Therefore, coughing is not that uncommon.

When coughing, tension occurs in the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity, which causes the uterus to tense.

Prolonged and frequent coughing attacks increase the tone of the uterus. This can impair blood circulation, resulting in little nutrients and oxygen reaching the fetus. Coughing in the first stages of embryo development can lead to fetal hypoxia, and in severe cases, to placental abruption and sudden termination of pregnancy (miscarriage).

It is worth remembering that it is in the first trimester that all the organs of the future baby are laid down and formed, so it is very important to respond in a timely manner to all disruptions in the body. And the simplest cough can be a serious reason to visit your doctor.

The danger of coughing in the 2nd trimester

At this stage of development, the fetus is already formed and protected by the placenta, which serves as a good barrier to the penetration of viruses into the fetus. Coughing in the second trimester no longer raises as many concerns and does not pose as great a threat as in the first.

But it is during this period that a cold can affect the child’s nervous system, which is actively developing at this stage.

Insufficient oxygen supply to the uterus, due to the same tone, can cause premature birth. The baby's weight and vitality are still quite low. You should not engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication, but seek help and advice from specialists.

The danger of coughing in the 3rd trimester

Cough can be one of the signs of illness. This can affect a woman's hormonal levels and make it difficult to produce breast milk. Increased uterine tone, provoked by a cough, can cause placental abruption, rupture of amniotic fluid, and premature complicated labor. It is very important at this stage to regularly take blood and urine tests.

What is a cough like?

Cough can be divided into two types:

  1. Dry - during a cough, no sputum is produced, nothing is coughed up. It occurs more often at the initial stage of the disease.
  2. A cough in which mucus is released from the larynx and expectoration occurs is called wet or moist.

Which cough is more dangerous?

A wet cough is also called a productive cough. During it, sputum rises and is removed from the bronchi. Several deep coughs, as a result of which mucus is expelled. It is short-lived and therefore less dangerous than dry.

A dry (non-productive) cough is also called a barking cough. It is this cough that is prolonged and often repeated, which leads to an increase in the tone of the uterus.

Such an attack may be accompanied by vomiting. Dry coughing poses a threat to a pregnant woman. Causes abdominal concussion and constant tension in the abdominal muscles.

From this we can conclude that a dry cough is much more dangerous than a wet cough and interferes with the normal course of pregnancy at any stage.

How does cough affect the fetus?

One of the negative consequences of cough may be fetal hypoxia. The consequences of hypoxia are varied. In most cases, the lack of oxygen is not critical. But there are cases when it can cause disruption of the fetal circulatory system.

Lack of oxygen in the first trimester can lead to impaired brain development.

Another negative factor during coughing can be the production of the hormone cortisol. It is often called the stress hormone. The hormone enters the body of the unborn child through the placenta and can harm the normal development of the fetus.

How to protect yourself from coughing

In order for a pregnant woman not to endanger her unborn child, it is necessary to take all measures to prevent any colds and viral diseases. To this end, you need to take special care to monitor your health and strengthen your immune system:

  1. More walks in the fresh air. You need to walk regularly 1-2 hours a day. For this purpose, choose a route away from the roadway. There is a high degree of gas pollution there. Try to get out of the city. Avoid crowded places.
  2. Dress appropriately for the weather. Avoid hypothermia.
  3. Eat properly and nutritiously. Very often, for fear of gaining extra pounds, pregnant women avoid rich foods. It is not right. Nutrition should be balanced and varied.
  4. Play sports. If there are no contraindications, try to devote time to sports. Regular morning exercises will have a positive effect on the immune system.
  5. Regular cleaning of premises. Dusting is required 2-3 times a week. Carry out wet cleaning of the house daily.
  6. Room humidification. It will be useful to purchase an air humidifier. You can also use simple wet towels hung on heating appliances.
  7. Personal hygiene. Frequent hand washing and using antibacterial liquids and wipes will reduce the risk of infection.
  8. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, you can gargle twice a day with chamomile or calendula.
  9. Positive emotions. Laugh and smile more. Do what you love and what you like.
  10. Healthy sound sleep. Before going to bed, ventilate the room, read, listen to relaxing music.

How to treat a cough in a pregnant woman using traditional methods

During pregnancy, the use of many medications is prohibited or limited. In such cases, it is worth turning to alternative medicine. Before starting any treatment, you should consult your doctor.

  1. Radish treatment. The common black radish has proven itself well in the treatment of dry cough. You need to wash the root crop, make a deep hole in it and fill the cavity with honey. Let it brew in a dark place for 24 hours. Take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day.
  2. Milk. An excellent remedy for cough is cow's milk with the addition of various healthy ingredients. Figs are added to the milk and boiled over low heat for 3-5 minutes. Drink 100 ml three times a day. Instead of figs, honey and banana are added. This recipe is not only healthy, but also very tasty.
  3. Herbs. In the fight against wet cough, herbal infusions and decoctions are often used. Coltsfoot, sage, and licorice root are suitable for this purpose.
Inhalations will also be useful for coughing. For them, the herbs of thyme, St. John's wort, eucalyptus, string and others are used.

What cough treatment is undesirable during pregnancy?

The use of thermal treatment methods is strictly prohibited. These include seemingly harmless mustard plasters, hot foot baths, cupping, and cupping massage. All this can lead to blood flow into the pelvis and cause bleeding.

You should not treat a cough with medications yourself, even if you are completely confident in their effectiveness. Only a doctor can prescribe medication.

You need to be careful with inhalations. During them, blood pressure rises, and if the patient has a tendency to hypertension, then in this way a crisis can be provoked.

It is important to remember that when a cough appears, you should not panic or worry. It is better to consult a specialist and undergo all the necessary examinations. Your health and the health of your unborn baby is in your hands. Be healthy!

Attention, burning OFFER!

I had a severe cough at the 5th month. I was afraid that there would be no tone, so I ran to the doctor. There was no wheezing, the doctor prescribed Prospan syrup. It is natural, without chemicals and treats effectively. The cough went away in 4 days

During pregnancy, especially in the last months, it was generally scary to sneeze and cough - what if labor starts? ) Personally, it seemed to me that the child was very uncomfortable in his tummy when I coughed... Therefore, I kept a sucking candy on hand to quickly soothe my throat.

I have chronic bronchitis and have been coughing periodically throughout my pregnancy. The doctors didn’t prescribe anything at all, except for cough syrup, which almost doesn’t help. I gave birth in the pathology department, my son was born healthy.

I also caught a cold right before giving birth. Nose immediately pulled herself together and strictly followed the doctor’s orders. As a result, I washed my nose with hourly saline rinses, and drank Prospan syrup and warm alkaline water (salt) for my cough, and I recovered.

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Consequences of cough during pregnancy

Somewhere she managed to catch a cold - a pregnant woman sighs with annoyance and fear. - It seems like I take vitamins and dress warmly, but I’ve been coughing for several days now... What will happen to the mask now? Is coughing dangerous during pregnancy?

If you find yourself in a similar situation and similar thoughts come to you, then first calm down. Even with care, few people manage to carry a baby to term without ever getting sick. But start acting as soon as you notice the first signs of an incipient cold. At the initial stage, warm, plenty of drink and a warm bed are enough, that is, proper rest. So if you are frozen this morning or someone coughed suspiciously at you at the clinic, immediately drink tea with honey and lemon (unless, of course, you are allergic) and go to sleep for a while.

If the disease still overcomes you, start the fight without waiting. Remember that now is not the time to self-medicate. Even “harmless” traditional methods must be agreed with your doctor before being put into practice. Try to find effective ways to alleviate your condition at the very beginning. After all, various cold symptoms during pregnancy have their own specific consequences.

In general, a cough in itself is not so bad. It is a natural mechanism for cleansing the bronchi from mucus, blood, pus or larynx - from dust and other particles. But for a pregnant woman, of course, there is nothing good in a systematic cough - this needs to be treated.

Expectant mothers begin to feel some of the consequences of coughing during pregnancy right away: at the moment of coughing, the abdominal wall, and along with it the uterus, tenses quite noticeably. Repeated coughing attacks, especially frequent and prolonged ones, lead the uterus to a state of increased tone, which in the early stages threatens miscarriage, and in the later stages – premature onset of labor.

Due to the high tone of the uterus, the supply of blood to the fetus deteriorates (that is, its supply of oxygen and nutrients is disrupted), which in the future threatens the development of intrauterine hypoxia. Frequent dry cough during pregnancy can lead to placental abruption and almost always increases blood pressure, which is also undesirable for the expectant mother.

Since cough is only a symptom, it accompanies the disease. It is the disease in which cough appears during pregnancy that poses the main danger. A cough can be a manifestation of ARVI, bronchitis, pneumonia, stomach diseases, ear inflammation, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, allergies, nervous tension and even sexually transmitted infections! None of these conditions can be called favorable for bearing a child. So if you start coughing, you need to find out why and work with your doctor to overcome it.

You may be coughing due to mucus accumulating in your nasopharynx. To eliminate cough in this case, an integrated approach will be necessary. This is mainly effective cleansing and moisturizing of the nasal passages, calming the cough center, humidifying the air, and drinking plenty of fluids. Do not forget that there is a fundamental difference between a dry and wet cough, and in both cases the tactics will be different. The drugs used to treat cough can also have consequences, the choice of which during pregnancy must be approached with extreme caution.

Another consequence of coughing during pregnancy can be vomiting caused by an attack. Repeated incidents can lead to dehydration and loss of nutrients. What can we say about the feeling of fatigue and weakness due to insomnia at night: coughing during pregnancy causes a lot of discomfort and even pain.

Of course, we can talk about any significant consequences of a cough during pregnancy only in an advanced state, when a cough due to a serious illness remains untreated. Once again, I repeat that a particular risk during pregnancy is a long, debilitating paroxysmal cough. But, as a rule, expectant mothers react promptly and begin treatment on time. You don't wait for the condition to worsen, right? Which means everything will be fine! Remember that the consequences of nervous experiences have not been canceled. Thank God it was all just a cough – that’s not the worst thing! Be healthy!

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Source: http://beremennost.net/posledstviya-kashlya-pri-beremennosti

How does cough affect pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a woman's body is susceptible to numerous viral or infectious diseases. The fact is that the pregnant woman’s immune system is greatly weakened and various pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the respiratory tract without much difficulty. For this reason, during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman is much more likely to get the flu, colds, and suffer from coughs and runny noses.

All of the listed diseases and symptoms are dangerous for the expectant mother, and their treatment depends on the root cause. In such processes, the first thing you need to do is pay attention to the cough, since it is the cough that forms in the first place. The reflex process can provoke premature birth, miscarriage and greatly affect the fetus. However, not every type of cough is so dangerous. To understand how a cough during pregnancy affects the fetus, read this material.

Cough and pregnancy

Coughing is a reflex process in which the patient’s abdominal, pectoral and spinal muscles contract. When you cough, there is a sudden release of air. Along with it, phlegm is removed from the body. This process is necessary to cleanse the upper respiratory tract, larynx, trachea and bronchi.

During coughing, all toxic substances, pathogenic organisms and accumulated mucus are removed. However, dandruff in the throat is the result of an irritation process. It may occur in the following cases:

  • in case of an allergic reaction to animal fur, flowers, certain foods;
  • when staying in a room with excessively dry air for a long time;
  • in case of an inflammatory process on the nasal mucosa;
  • when an infection enters the body.

A throat cough during pregnancy can cause abnormal development of the baby, so it is important to know how to cough correctly. The reflex process occurs against the background of an inflamed and severely irritated surface in the mucous membrane of the throat. This type of cough does not cause contraction of the abdominal muscles and is therefore considered harmless for the expectant mother. However, a throat cough causes severe discomfort, throat irritation, pain, and headaches.

When the question arises whether it is possible to cough during pregnancy, it is important to establish the type of reflex process.

If the infection moves to the deeper parts of the respiratory tract, a pregnant woman may develop bronchitis or pleurisy. With this disease, the expectant mother develops a strong and deep cough, which is dangerous due to muscle contraction. This cough may be accompanied by reflex contractions of the uterus.

Important! With a prolonged inflammatory process and lack of treatment, a pregnant woman may develop uterine tone, which will cause premature birth.

Effect of cough

Of course, dandruff in the throat during pregnancy can cause many negative processes. You can find out why a strong cough during pregnancy is dangerous for a child after diagnosing all the associated factors.

With a mild dry cough, the danger lies not so much in the process itself, but in the accompanying symptoms. Often, when the respiratory tract is inflamed, the patient’s temperature rises, breathing problems, nasal congestion, insufficient oxygen supply and other symptoms occur.

The main risky processes include:

  • development of infection;
  • inflammatory process;
  • signs of intoxication;
  • increased body temperature;
  • fetal hypoxia.

In addition, coughing during pregnancy is dangerous due to stress.

Stress

Every expectant mother worries about the development of the baby, so when she coughs she is in a state of stress. Any nervous experience provokes the formation of the stress hormone - cortisol. It is dangerous due to the formation of vascular tension, hormonal changes and excessive release of toxins.

Important! With prolonged stress, there is a risk of vascular spasm, which will cause malnutrition in the child.

In addition, severe fright or strong emotions can cause premature birth.

Consequences of high temperature

If a cough is accompanied by a temperature above 37 degrees Celsius and lasts for several days, the pregnant woman experiences a disruption in blood supply. This process forms fetal hypoxia. In addition, the temperature is accompanied by signs of severe intoxication, which are much more difficult to bear during pregnancy.

The toxic substances produced due to increased temperature can cause the embryo to freeze up to twelve weeks. But after this period, the fetus is under strong protection of the placenta and high temperature cannot cause the development of pathological processes. However, this does not mean that the expectant mother can let the disease take its course. Any viral or infectious disease must be treated as soon as possible.

The risk of complications increases if the temperature appeared in recent months. In the eighth and ninth months, temperature can provoke aging of the placenta, which often causes premature birth or abruption.

Infectious processes

The main cause of cough is infection. Even if the reflex process is not accompanied by fever, coughing can be dangerous to the health of the expectant mother. Make sure your cough is not a sign of rubella. In this case, in eighty percent of pregnancies, the child will be born with disabilities.

In addition, dandruff and other unpleasant sensations in the throat may appear due to ARVI. Acute respiratory inflammation causes disturbances in the formation of the child.

Hypoxia or suffocation

In certain cases, coughing causes hypoxia. Choking occurs due to tension in the walls of the abdominal cavity. When the muscles in this area are tense, the blood vessels are compressed, which negatively affects the overall blood flow. In this case, the child does not receive enough oxygen.

It should be noted that short-term hypoxia is not dangerous for the development of the embryo. However, if your baby goes without oxygen for more than a few minutes or even hours, there is a risk of congenital abnormalities of the brain and nervous system.

Insufficient Nutrients

A prolonged dry cough can cause malnutrition of the embryo.

The baby receives all nutrients through the mother's blood. With constant coughing, there is a strong narrowing of blood vessels and muscle tension in the abdominal region. This process causes a reduction in the supply of nutrients to the placenta.

With a cough that lasts more than five days, there is a risk of obstruction of metabolic processes between the mother and the embryo. As a result of this disorder, the child is born weak and sickly.

Increased uterine tone

With frequent and debilitating cough, the expectant mother can provoke strong contraction and squeezing of the abdominal muscles, which will cause the tone of the uterus. Starting from the seventh month, this process can provoke premature birth.

Placental abruption is less common. Typically, this process occurs in patients with low placenta previa.

Conclusion

Cough during pregnancy can be dry or wet. If dandruff in the throat is accompanied by mucus discharge, then it is not dangerous for the expectant mother and her child. In the case of a dry and barking process, a pregnant woman should seek medical help.

Often a cough causes vomiting, increased uterine tone and other undesirable processes. Once you find out how cough affects pregnancy, take measures to protect your body. To cure a cough, a pregnant woman is prescribed local therapy using gentle and safe medications, lozenges and syrups.

During pregnancy, I was shaking from every cough and almost immediately went to the doctor for a consultation. When the cough started, I immediately went to the appointment. They reassured me and said that everything could be fixed, I drank Prospan syrup as prescribed and the cough went away, there was no tone!

Directory of main ENT diseases and their treatment

All information on the site is for informational purposes only and does not claim to be absolutely accurate from a medical point of view. Treatment must be carried out by a qualified doctor. By self-medicating you can harm yourself!

Source: http://gorlonos.com/kashel/kak-vliyaet-na-beremennost.html

Danger of cough during pregnancy: influence and consequences

Of course, coughing has a very negative effect on pregnancy. It not only causes discomfort to the expectant mother and the unborn baby, but also, as a rule, indicates the presence of a source of disease in the pregnant woman’s body.

Why is a cough dangerous during pregnancy?

A jerky forced exhalation is a symptom of a number of diseases, including those caused by a viral infection. Cough during pregnancy affects not only the woman’s condition, but also the development of the fetus. Obvious harm from inflammatory processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman:

  • An attack of a reflex act is dangerous because it can cause the development of pathologies of the endocrine, central nervous system and other defects in the fetus.
  • In the absence of proper therapy, the disease can cause complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Treatment of these ailments requires the use of potent medications, including antibiotics, which is extremely dangerous for the fetus.
  • The use of certain antitussive drugs in the future may negatively affect the level of lactation.
  • Cough during pregnancy affects blood pressure.
  • Among the negative factors that accompany constant debilitating attacks are: increased toxicosis, painful sensations.
  • The reflex act also affects the emotional imbalance caused by fears for the safety of pregnancy.

Cough during pregnancy - possible consequences

Cough also directly affects the course of pregnancy. A sudden movement of the diaphragm causes severe tension in the abdominal muscles, which can provoke an increase in the tone of the uterus. As a result, blood circulation in the placenta is disrupted, the fetus is not fully supplied with blood, and, consequently, with oxygen and necessary substances. Oxygen starvation or intrauterine hypoxia occurs - a dangerous condition for the woman and the fetus.

Repeated vomiting, caused by a prolonged exhausting attack of a strong reflex action, can also lead to increased tone of the uterus. Hypertonicity in the first trimester is fraught with spontaneous termination of pregnancy, and in later stages – with premature birth.

The result of coughing can be uterine bleeding, which is associated with premature placental abruption. It should be emphasized that a very strong, debilitating, dry reflex act observed over a long period of time leads to negative consequences. During pregnancy, the danger of a cough cannot be overestimated, which is why it is so important for the expectant mother to take care during this time.

Timely consultation with a doctor will help to avoid unfavorable pregnancy and complications during childbirth.

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I was very scared of my tone when I started coughing. The doctor prescribed Prospan syrup. It helped me overcome my cough well and quickly in about 5 days. I read the instructions and liked that it was natural and without any chemicals.

Source: http://pro-kashel.ru/pri-beremennosti/chem-opasen

Cough during pregnancy: causes, consequences, treatment and prevention

Cough during pregnancy easily occurs due to a decrease in the body's defenses. A slight hypothermia and communication with a carrier of a respiratory infection is enough for this symptom to appear in combination with others: fever, runny nose, weakness. Frequent coughing negatively affects the course of pregnancy and the condition of the fetus, so it must be treated. At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor: a specialist will be able to correctly diagnose and prescribe medications that are safest for the expectant mother and her baby.

Causes of cough during pregnancy

Cough during pregnancy is usually due to an acute or chronic respiratory tract infection. If the source of inflammation is localized in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, then a reflex contraction of the muscles of the larynx with a simultaneous increase in bronchial tone occurs due to mucus flowing down the back wall of the pharynx. This mechanism is typical for rhinitis, sinusitis, and adenoiditis.

With inflammation of the lower parts - tonsils, pharynx, larynx, trachea - cough occurs due to direct irritation of the mucous membrane. It accompanies tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis.

Pneumonia and bronchitis are characterized by inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. With these diseases, sputum accumulates in the tissues of the lungs and bronchi and provokes coughing attacks.

The second most common reason why cough occurs during pregnancy is allergic diseases localized in the respiratory tract. Reflex attacks develop with allergic obstructive bronchitis, allergic tracheitis, and bronchial asthma.

In rare cases, cough develops in diseases of the hearing organs, stomach, diaphragm, heart and blood vessels. Neurotic disorders can also be a cause.

Why is coughing dangerous during pregnancy?

Coughing during pregnancy can be dangerous, especially if it is dry and lasts for a long time. If left untreated, the following complications develop:

  1. Hypertonicity of the uterus. In the middle of each cough reflex cycle, a strong contraction of the abdominal wall muscles occurs. This overstrain is transmitted to the uterus, as a result of which its tone increases. This condition is one of the most common causes of threatened miscarriage.
  2. Oxygen starvation of the fetus. Frequent paroxysmal cough leads to deterioration of placental blood supply. As a result, the child does not receive the required amount of oxygen and nutrients. In severe cases, this leads to intrauterine growth retardation. Read more about the causes and consequences of fetal hypoxia→
  3. Uterine bleeding. This complication is associated with strong contraction of the abdominal wall muscles during coughing. A prolonged attack can cause uterine bleeding in cases where there is a placenta previa or its low location.

In addition to the cough itself, the diseases that cause it are dangerous. Infectious, allergic and other pathological processes negatively affect the course of pregnancy and the health of the unborn child.

Why is cough dangerous in pregnant women?

Cough during pregnancy can have different effects on the condition of the fetus depending on the trimester in which the disease occurred. Treatment methods are also largely determined by the timing: the safest period is the middle of pregnancy, when all organs are already laid down, and childbirth is still far away.

Cough in the first trimester

The first trimester is a period of intense hormonal and immune changes. Reducing the body's protective functions is necessary so that the embryo is not rejected and can gain a foothold in the uterus. The downside of this process is that the woman becomes more susceptible to any infection. Those situations that previously did not cause illness now become their cause (weak drafts, being in the same room with a sick person, etc.).

In the first three months, coughing is dangerous due to the risk of developing uterine hypertonicity. This complication is a sign of a threatened miscarriage. Therefore, if the doctor recommends hospitalization, you should not refuse. Infectious diseases, which are a common cause of cough, are dangerous because they can provoke disturbances in the development of the child’s vital organs.

Another problem that doctors face during this period is the selection of effective and at the same time safe treatments. In the first weeks of pregnancy, almost all medications are contraindicated. Therefore, the basis of therapy is traditional methods - rinsing and inhalation based on medicinal herbs, rinsing the nose with saline solution, etc. If gentle remedies do not bring the expected result, then a decision is made to prescribe medications.

Cough in the second trimester

In the second trimester, cough during pregnancy and the diseases that caused it are no longer so dangerous. By this period, the formation of the placenta, a barrier that protects the fetus, is completed. It allows nutrients and oxygen to pass through, but prevents the penetration of infection and some medicinal compounds.

However, the possibilities of this barrier are not unlimited. During a cold, fetoplacental insufficiency can develop, a condition in which the fetus does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. In severe cases, there is a risk of premature birth or intrauterine death of the child.

Compared to the first trimester, the list of acceptable drugs is expanding. Doctors are less wary of prescribing medications that can quickly eliminate the cause of cough.

Cough in the third trimester

In the last trimester, the placenta becomes more permeable and gradually ages. Under the influence of infection, its functionality decreases. The risk of developing fetoplacental insufficiency increases: oxygen reaches the fetus in insufficient quantities, and toxins and medicinal compounds penetrate into it. Starting from the 37th week, viruses can enter the amniotic fluid, which the baby swallows.

The danger of coughing during this period is associated with the possibility of premature onset of labor. Placental abruption, rupture of water surrounding the fetus, and bleeding may also occur.

Medicines are selected by the doctor individually, taking into account the disease and condition of the pregnant woman. Along with traditional methods, medications are actively used.

Cough treatment

Before prescribing treatment for a pregnant woman, the doctor carries out all the necessary diagnostic procedures to help find out the cause of the cough. If a symptom has developed due to an infectious-inflammatory process in the respiratory tract, then its nature is assessed.

Treatment of dry cough

With a dry cough, mucus and sputum do not come out at all or are released in small quantities. Another name for it is unproductive. It does not bring relief, it is painful and protracted. The essence of treatment is to make a dry cough moist. That is, it is necessary to achieve the release of sputum and its removal from the body. To do this, it is necessary to use products that promote the formation of mucus.

To eliminate cough during pregnancy, especially in its early stages, inhalations are used. These simple procedures almost instantly alleviate a woman’s condition, promoting the formation and removal of sputum. The most common and effective are inhalations with Miramistin, Chlorphyllipt, mineral water, propolis, eucalyptus, carried out using a nebulizer.

Before the procedure, you must consult a doctor; at high temperatures (above 38 degrees) and in some other cases, inhalation is contraindicated.

Among the medications for the treatment of dry cough during pregnancy, tablets and syrups are used. All of them are selected individually, taking into account the duration of pregnancy. Doctors often prescribe mucalytic drugs: Bronchipret, Gerbion, Gedelix, Mucaltin. Read more about the use of Mucaltin during pregnancy→

Centrally acting antitussives (Sinecod, Tusuprex) are used with caution and only in the second and third trimesters. There is no clinical data on the use of these medications during pregnancy, so they should be used only as prescribed by a doctor.

Treatment of wet cough

With a wet cough, phlegm is removed from the bronchi to the outside. It is productive and brings relief. Infectious agents are removed along with the mucus. But if this type of cough is not treated, it will become chronic and the mucus will no longer be excreted. To eliminate it, mucus thinners are used.

Among the traditional methods of treating wet cough, the most famous is the use of herbal infusions and decoctions. Plants such as thyme and marshmallow root thin and increase mucus production.

You can also use honey, milk, garlic and onions. Before using these medications, you should consult your doctor, as some of them can affect the functioning of the heart and blood vessels and cause allergies.

To eliminate a wet cough, the following medications may be recommended during pregnancy: Bromhexine, Doctor Mom, Gedelix, Prospan. All these drugs are prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the disease, the duration of pregnancy and the health characteristics of the woman.

Prevention

Since the most common causes of cough during pregnancy are infectious and allergic diseases, prevention comes down to preventing their development. During an unfavorable epidemiological situation, it is better to refrain from visiting crowded places.

It is also recommended to support immunity in all possible ways: spend more time in the fresh air, do light physical work around the house, eat right, adhere to a daily routine in which at least 9-10 hours are allocated for sleep (8 at night, 1-2 during the day). When visiting a clinic, it is advisable to wear a protective bandage on your face.

Prevention of allergic reactions is based on limiting contact with the agent (pollen, dust, pets). It is necessary to wet clean the house daily and remove all items that can generate dust (small souvenirs, carpets, curtains). For seasonal allergies, the optimal time for walking is after rain.

Cough during pregnancy often occurs due to infectious diseases of the respiratory tract. It can cause complications and negatively affect the condition of the fetus. Treatment should be selected by a doctor based on the cause and nature of the cough. The most effective is considered to be a combination of folk remedies and medications.

Author: Olga Khanova, doctor,

especially for Mama66.ru

Useful video: how to get rid of a cough?

As soon as I started coughing at 20 weeks, I made an appointment with a doctor. He advised me to take more walks, moisten the room and drink Prospan syrup according to the instructions. Since it is vegetable, both pregnant women and children can use it on ivy. Helped me cope with my cough well and quickly.

I was also prescribed Prospan syrup, only at the 31st week. I was just in storage. Helped me in a few days! I didn’t catch a cold anymore, I only went out into public places wearing a mask.

For me, the best prevention was exercise, vitamins and a trip to the sea. Only in the eighth month did a slight cough appear, but it quickly went away, as I took a course of Prospan syrup, as prescribed by the doctor, and it helped a lot.

Source: http://mama66.ru/problemy-beremennih/kashel-vo-vremya-beremennosti-prichiny-posledstviya-lechenie-i-profilaktika