Pregnant with Awful Sinus Infection,,,any Suggestions??

Hey there J.. I had a pregnancy FULL of sinus infections!!!!! I was able to take sudefed every once in a while, but I found that Vicks rub helped A LOT!! I used a little dab under my nose. I also use a humidifyer and salene solution. I got through it fine so hopefully it'll help you too.
Please excuse my HORRIBLE spelling. That has NEVER been my strong point. TEE HEE HEE!!
Good luck and I hope you feel better:0)

J.,
congrats to you! the sinus bug going around is miserable, sorry you got it!! i was always told that tylenol products were safe while pregnant even the cold and flu. i would ask the pharmacist what you could take.
i have 4 children and am a doula if you have any questions feel free to write me back!
S.
____@____.com

i was allowed to take 1 sudafed per day to help with the congestion... but i'm an all natural girl so i used vicks, warm baths, shower soothers, also you can hang your head over boiling water on the stove to clear yuor head- and after a shower or steam session over the stove squirt salene up your nose, this is also safe for your baby- they also make baby vicks that again is safe... if you want the very natural way you can use essential oils in the tub like eucalyptus, mint (any kind) and rosemary to help clear your head... who are your midwives? are you at the birth center? i birthed there!!!!

You should be able to take some homeopathic medications that will help you get over it sooner. I would recommend Zicam. They make several different products and they make one for sinus infections, they also have different ways of dosing so you can eat a chew, or use a spray up your nose, and other stuff. It is just zinc which will not harm the baby and you should be able to get some relief just from that. also you can take tylenol while you are pregnant, and you can even take tylenol products included tylenol sinus, so I would give them a call and ask if you can take that. I have myself as well as 3 friends who were in the early stages of pregnancy and developed colds, sinus infections, and one with terrible allergies, and all of us were told by our doctors that we could take tylenol products. I hope this helps. and congratulations.

When I was pregnant with my son, the only medications my doctor said were ok for sinus issues were Tylenol and Sudafed (but just the regular sudafed--not 12 hour). I think Tylenol makes a Tylenol Cold and Sinus medicine, which is basically sudafed and tylenol together.

Other than that, squirting saline in your nose will help, hot steam, one of the ladies suggested shower soothers, and they are wonderful!

Hi,

I found out I was pregnant when I went to the doc for a nasty head cold and broncitus(sp?). My Doc gave me meds that where low alcohol and safe for the baby. During my 4th month I had the stomach flu again she gave me meds that where appropriate. You got to keep in mind some people have to take meds all the time and they have to have alternatives in most cases.

But if your midwife is insistant that you dont take anything, try something along these lines to help relive some of the problems. (I use thes on my husband who has nasty sinus issues.)

Boil some water, place the water into a bowl, lean over the bowl, place a towel over your head and the bowl. Relax and breathe in the steam.

Also if you can sew, stitch 2 washclothes together all but one corner. Fill the wash clothes with uncooked regular rice. Stitch the corner closed. Place this in the microwave for 1 minute. Lie down and place this on your face, it will be warm but not hot enough to burn you. The heat will help relax the sinus passages in your face and provide some relief.
(do not microwave for more then 1 minute cause it can and will burn.)

I also use the washcloth thing on my son 20 months, when he doesn't feel well or has an earache, reduce the microwave time to 30-45 sec. He loves to cuddle with it because it is warm.

Hope these help.

i hope i dont offend you by saying you need a doctor's 2nd opinion... sinus infections are very dangerous, they do have antibiotics that are very safe for you to take during pregnancy i had one while i was pregnant with my 4 year old and my doctor gave me antibiotics and i got better and my baby is and was just fine.

I have 3 kids, terrible allergies, and get awful sinus infections..on a regular basis. I had a good ole OB-GYN, a friend of the family who delivered 15 of my 23 nieces and nephews, along with all 3 of my kids. I trust him implicitly. He told me it was perfectly safe to take Sudafed for my sinus pain and congestion, and has put me on antibiotics during one pregnancy for a particularly severe one. I have taken sudafed during all 3 pregnancies, including the first trimester, and never had a single problem.
Hope you feel better.

Hi. I have 4 kids and was always told sudafed was fine but only plain sudafed. not cold and flu, not tylenol cold and flu. nothing with an antihistamine in it only a decongestant. No nosesprays except saline. You really should see a doctor. if it is that bad he can prescribe antibiotics that are safe for the baby. hope you feel better.

If you have a regular physician please consult with them. There are saline nose drops and sprays that can help and I was in my third trimester when I was sick as a dog from top to bottom and I used the Musinex. I would of hated taking anything in early pregnancy but a sinus infection can turn serious if not treated. We used a Doula for childbirth so I am not against midwives at all but knowing how serious a sinus infection can be I think I would seek a second opinion. To not hurt her feelings you don't have to tell her.

I had this problem, too and I tried those Nasal Strips you put on your nose and they really helped me out.

Oh how I wish I could offer you suggestions! I had the same issue throughout my entire pregnancy with my daughter. I tried a saline nasal spray and used a cool mist humidifier and a vaporizer. I can't honestly say that if any of it helped. You know, not everyone is the same so you might give it a try.

Have you asked your mid-wife about nasal sprays? They help without the side-effects of most decongestants. Also, try running a steam vaporizer next to your bed at night. I've even boiled water in a small pot, set it off the stove and covered my head with a towel and breathed in the steam for several minutes at a time. I have a friend who swears that putting antibiotic ointment on a q-tip and rubbing the inside of your nose as far as you can safely/comfortably reach works wonders on breaking the infection.
One thing that helps with the headache is to take a small pillowcase or a thick white sock and fill it with rice(you can put aromatic herbs in with the rice if you like), tie it tightly, place in the microwave for 1-4 minutes depending on your microwave. It will be very hot, so you may want to put a washcloth on your skin at first, then lay the rice bag on top and leave there until it cools. It's relaxing, can be re-used many times and works on other aches as well. Hope you're feeling better real soon.

It is aweful to be sick when your pregnant...there are just so few things safe to take. Nasal spray, however unpleasant sounding, actually is very safe and can help alot. Saline is hard for bacteria to survive in, and the saline also feels good and helps relieve some of the soarness. I'd give it a try. I am a believer that nasal spray shortens the length of time you are sick, but that is just my experience with it. Hope you feel better soon!

Hello there, this is my first reply to anyone but I had to answer you after having several sicknesses during pregnancy.

First, do you have a regular physician you see when you are sick or for physicals that could help you out? I'm only asking because a professional is way safer than advice from any of us lay people lol.

After saying that, I will share what my doctor told me. In my situation my doctor told me that Sudafed was safe to take. I took the orange kind that is non-drowsy I believe. That was for a cold or flu. If you do have an actual sinus infection that is more serious you might need a stronger Rx.

Im a mother of 3, and had sinus problems throgghout all my pregnancies, and was told that sudafed was safe to take,(plain sudafed)tylenol,for discomfort and benadryl,to help you sleep. Hope this helps
*-Tanna*

i was allowed to take any tylenol products throughout my pregnancy.

i have a suggestion u might want to try. if u buy some eucholyptis oil, it helps. put some one a warm wet rag and put it in the microwave where it is real warm. then place it all around your pressure points on your face then put it back over your nose and add pressure. after a few minutes the pressure will start easin. u can find it at gnc stores, bath and body, any store that has to do with just about the bosy. hope this works out for you let me know.
sincerely,
megs

ok I have been where you are. I am currently 14 weeks pregnant with my second child. I have already had 2 sinus infections and for both my doctors gave me antibiotics. they will not hurt you or the baby. The Dr. knows which one to give. I don't understand way your midwife said you cant take anything til your second trimester. both of mine were during my first. I just now got into my second trimester. so go to your family docter and tell them your pregnant and have a terrible sinus infection they should give you something. first time I had Zithromax(z-pac), the second time i had Amoxcillin. so I know for a fact you can take anitbiotics while in your first trimester.

Hey J.!
I had the same problem. I was sick the first 4 months of my pregnacy. I had heard that when your pregnant your immune system isnt' what it was before and I work in a hospital and I caught everything that came through the door. Everyone told me the only safe thing to take during pregnacy is Tylenol and DO NOT take Ibuprofen. Saline nasal spray really helped to open me up. My dad said his doctor told him that saline was the best thing for sinus infections. He suggested that (and I still don't know how he does it) he get a 10cc syringe fill it full of warm salt water and squirt it up one nare and let it run out the other nare. He can somehow block his airway with his tounge. He does it and it always clears up his infections. I've never been able to do that though. If you try that, beware it burns.

Hi J.,
I have had the same problem. It is safe to take tylenol, sudafed and afrin over the counter. In fact I lived on Sudafed with my last pregnancy but also had to take 2 rounds of antibiotics. There are plenty of OB's that have no problems prescribing antibiotics during pregnancy.(also a lot of old fashioned ones that don't) Obviously you don't want to take them unnecessarily but if you have an infection then you need them. There are plenty out there that have no side effects for the baby. (At the same time there are some that you should definitely stay away from). Hope you feel better!!

boil some water and once it hits a rolling boil.. add some eucalyptus oil in the water.. then remove pot and sit it somewhere safe.. and hold a towel over your head and steam.. make sure to close your eyes.. it will help open up your sinuses quite a bit.. also, you can dab some on your face where your sinuses are congested. Other than that.. lots of water, OJ, and herbal teas will help. I got a nasty cold when I was pregnant last year.. and they told me it was ok that I take normal strength sudafed.. I have one healthy baby too.. might consider if it gets worse! Hope you feel better!!