Q. It’s still cold and flu season, and I’m wondering if it’s okay for me to take antihistamines or decongestants while I’m trying to get pregnant.
A. Whenever possible, it’s best to avoid medicines when you’re planning to get pregnant and while you’re pregnant. When you can’t, you’ll need to consult your doctor about the safety of specific medications. For instance, some antihistamines may be okay to take during pregnancy (and before), but not all. Most decongestants, however, are not recommended for use during pregnancy, and for that reason it would be wise to avoid them when you’re trying to conceive, since you may not realize right away that you’re pregnant. Ingredients such as aspirin, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, and dextromethorphan are commonly found in over-thecounter medications and should be avoided during pregnancy. Cough and cold syrups that contain alcohol should also be avoided. Read the labels of these products carefully, as many have multiple ingredients. Let your doctor or pharmacist know that you’re trying to conceive, and check to see which medications are safe before taking anything. Most cold symptoms only last for a week or less.
You can try treating your symptoms without medication:
1. Get enough rest, especially at the first sign of a cold.
2. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid becoming dehydrated.
3. Eat chicken soup for its soothing effects.
4. Keep your head elevated while lying down to help relieve post-nasal drip.
5. Eat well balanced meals.
6. Call your doctor or obstetrician if you develop a fever.
