Just like when you’re not pregnant, a cough can start up for a variety of reasons. It can be a little annoyance, or it can develop into something more serious. When you’re pregnant and you do get sick, you have to balance your treatment options with the risks. Here are some common questions from soon-to-be mamas with guidance on coughs.
Can pregnancy itself make you cough?
In some cases, yes! Your body is adjusting to some big changes. Your heart and blood vessels are working a lot harder. Your lungs and airways are adapting to increased pressure and your growing abdomen. Acid reflux and the associated heartburn can irritate your throat. All of these factors can lead to a cough.
Can a cough cause miscarriage?
A cough itself will not cause miscarriage [1]. But a cough can be a symptom of flu or another infection that could be dangerous to you or the baby. It’s a good idea to investigate why you’re coughing to rule out something serious.
Can I take cough suppressant medications?
Don’t take any over-the-counter medications without consulting your doctor, even everyday meds you’re used to taking year-round. Any of them might have adverse effects, so it’s best to be cautious.
How about expectorants? Are they dangerous to take during pregnancy?
Yes, many expectorants can be dangerous. These phlegm-thinning drugs can cause pregnancy complications and must be very carefully selected by a doctor to balance the risk to baby and the benefit to you, depending on your condition. It’s better to use non-drug alternatives such as moisturizing nasal sprays, room humidifiers, and drinking plenty of fluids [2].
If I have a cold, will breathing hot steam help?
Studies have not confirmed the effectiveness of steam inhalation therapy in the treatment of colds [3]. A recent EU study led to guidelines that ban recommendations of steam inhalation therapy from patient brochures and medical protocols, as the potential dangers far outweigh the unproven benefits. Steam is considered the most traumatic and least effective treatment [4]. We don’t recommend breathing steam for a cold.
Could my cough be asthma?
Asthma is a common condition, and sometimes its only symptom is a dry, unproductive cough. If your dry cough persists for more than two weeks, it might be asthma [5]. If you have developed asthma during pregnancy, or if it was first diagnosed then, you will likely want to treat it; doing nothing might be more harmful than any drug side effects.
