What should you know about cough during pregnancy third trimester?

Late pregnancy can make reflux, nasal congestion, and throat irritation more noticeable. A cold or allergy may also cause coughing. Cough itself does not identify one diagnosis, and symptoms such as wheeze, fever, chest pain, or breathlessness need separate attention. Conditions including Allergic Rhinitis, Acid Reflux, Asthma, and Acute Bronchitis can have overlapping features.

Tell your maternity team or clinician about the cough, when it began, whether you have fever or mucus, and whether your baby’s movements seem different from usual.

Rest, drink fluids, use saline nasal spray for congestion, and avoid smoke or strong scents. Warm drinks may soothe an irritated throat. Ask a pharmacist, obstetric clinician, or doctor before taking any cough, cold, allergy, or reflux medicine; products can contain several ingredients and pregnancy suitability varies. Do not borrow prescription medicine or exceed label directions.

Seek urgent care for sudden or severe breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood, faintness, blue or grey lips, confusion, or a severe asthma flare. Contact your maternity team promptly for high fever, feeling markedly unwell, reduced baby movements, contractions, fluid leakage, or any concern about your pregnancy. Arrange review if the cough persists or is worsening.

Which treatments are suitable at my stage of pregnancy? Could reflux, allergy, infection, or asthma explain this pattern? Do I need an examination or testing? Which pregnancy warning signs should I monitor?