What should you know about cough and cold during pregnancy third trimester?

A common cold can cause a blocked or runny nose, sore throat and cough. Pregnancy can also make nasal congestion more noticeable. Acid reflux may trigger a dry cough, while allergic rhinitis can cause sneezing and nasal drainage. Acute bronchitis or asthma may cause a deeper cough, wheeze or chest tightness. Bronchiectasis and chronic cough are less common possibilities when symptoms are longstanding or recurrent. Bronchiolitis is mainly an illness of young children, so an adult with breathing symptoms needs an assessment for the actual cause rather than assuming the label.

Rest, drink fluids, use saline nasal spray and try warm drinks for throat comfort. Avoid smoke and poorly ventilated spaces. Before taking any cough, cold, pain or herbal product, check with your obstetric team or pharmacist; combination products can contain ingredients that are unsuitable in pregnancy. Keep a record of fever, breathing symptoms, hydration and fetal movement. Do not stop prescribed asthma treatment without advice.

Contact maternity or urgent services for breathlessness at rest, chest pain, blue lips, fainting, confusion, severe wheeze, inability to keep fluids down, or a persistent or concerning fever. Seek prompt maternity advice if your baby’s movements are reduced or changed from the usual pattern, or if you have contractions, fluid leakage or bleeding. Arrange review when a cough is worsening, lasts beyond the expected illness, or interferes with sleep and eating.

Ask which treatments are suitable for your trimester and whether a product contains more than one active ingredient. Tell the clinician about asthma, reflux, allergies, fever, wheeze, pregnancy complications and current medicines. Ask how to monitor fetal movement and which maternity service to call if symptoms change.