Probably a Crazy Question

I too think the baby is fine. I had a friend who delivered not long ago and late in her pregnancy she had the flu. She was coughing so hard and the baby was kicking so much that she broke a rib but there was still no harm to the baby. I hope you feel better soon!

Nah, you're fine. Just be careful of any meds you take. Talk to your doc/midwife about what's safe. Also, if you feel any pains, consult your doc. My mom had a bad cold when she was preggers with me. I happened to kick at the same time she caughed and I put my foot right through the muscle wall:(

A tablespoon of honey with some lemon can do a world of good for the caugh.

Just wanted to add a voice to the chorus! I'd also recommend teas, but I'd advise against the green tea as it can (as in, it's possible, but not necessarily a sure thing) cause contractions.

I was sick with coughing for a long time AFTER I had my twins and what really helped was liquid calcium. It helps relax your muscles, which in your case would ease the ache. Get better soon, mama!

He won't come out until his ready! Having a cold when your pregnant is the worse, but the baby is safely tucked in. However if you are truly concerned and having muscle cramps or charlie horses I might call my OB and ask if there is something you should be concerned with.
And remember C., there is no such thing as a crazy question or stupid question unless you don't ask.

congrats on your soon to be new arrival and your 3 year old. That is a great age difference!!
Goodluck and take care

Hi C.! I congratulate you on your new baby on the way! I miss pregnancy! But to answer your question... no, you aren't hurting your baby at all. That little life has so much protection around him (or her), that coughing like a crazy lady isn't going to hurt him. You might keep him awake, but that's about it. Believe me, that baby will pay you back for waking him up, don't you worry! Have you talked to your OB about a cough suppressant? They may tell you to tough it out, but then again, they might give you something since you are starting to hurt all over. As for the charlie horse problem, increase your potassium with some bananas and see if that helps. Isn't pregnancy a beautiful thing?! Enjoy your last trimester, and I wish you a quick and healthy labor and delivery!!

Hi C.,

It sounds like you have bronchitis. I had that when I was 7-8 months pregnant too. I went to the doctor and he prescribed me something that was ok to take with the baby. I would highly recommend that. My doctor said I wasn't hurting the baby, but I would definately get better and get some medicine. good luck!

I agree, the baby is fine. But I would be concerned more for you. If you strain or pull a muscle you are going to hurt everytime you cough or MOVE, and if you don't heal before delivery a c-section might be your only option.
Make sure you take care of you and your body will take care of the baby.
Drink lots of fluids (I know peeing problems), but your muscle will cramp up on you much more often if you are dehydrated. If at all possible, stretch your muscles and
check with your OB for medications to help with symptoms.
I hope you feel better soon!

Solve the issue. Eucalyptus oil on your pillow at night (drops on either side of where your head lies) AND you can put it in some hot water w/ your head over it and a towel over your head breathing it. You can actully even breath it from the little vile it's in. IT WORKS AND QUICKLY. I can even HEAR the difference in breathing when Abbie's sleeping and I put it under her nose. She always says, "It makes my nose feel better."

You should also try the de-congest tea that's available in health food stores or sections of the grocery. AVOID SUGAR & DAIRY. Take in as many ANTIOXIDANTS as you can....A,C & E are your main one. Green tea is a good source but so are RED PEPPERS (highest for C content) Almonds, dried apricots, sweet potatoes, etc will get you the other two.

ZINC is essential for about 80 functions in your body INCLUDING your immune system.

Other than that, GOD knew mothers would have coughs and colds, etc. I don't think you should have any problems with early delivery because of a cough. HOWEVER......I DO think you need to be more concerned about your immune system and what THAT is doing to the child.

I had something that sounds pretty similar when I was about 8 months pregnant with my first. I gave up and went to the doctor - I had an upper respiratory infection. They gave me an antibiotic and phenergan to help calm the coughing. It's not dangerous to the baby, but you need rest! That's what they told me - and really, your uterus muscles aren't connected to your abdominal muscles, but it isn't fun feeling that way! Good luck!

go to your doctor, there are some medicines that you can take.
At this point, your doctor doesn't want you to pull muscles, as that would cause problems with you being able to give natural birth, and you may end up with c-section.

C.,
I had a terrible cough and cold when I was about 7 months pregnant last Spring. I was also worried that I was going to go into labor early or that I was hurting the baby with the constant, violent coughing. My doctor gave me a perscription for Robitussin and an anti-biotic. I waited too long to get relief, so make an appt. soon.

Since you are 7 1/2 months pregnant, your diaphragm and your stomach are shoved up to the top of your chest cavity (have you noticed shortness of breath - diaphragm? and do you have to eat smaller meals because you get fuller more quickly - stomach?). It is highly likely that you are experiencing the coughing and vomiting-feeling differently and more pronounced because of the way you are housing the baby in your uterus. I wouldn't worry at all about hurting the baby; your uterus is nice and strong and your baby is well-protected. However, if you really need some solid peace of mind call your OB and ask them the questions over the phone or schedule an appointment - it's all part of the prenatal care!

Hi C.!!I know what your talking about. When I was pregnant with my daughter I was coughing so bad I ended up taking myself to the er because I was afraid something was going to happen. I felt a little stupid afterwards since they didn't prescribe any medications or anything just said I had a cold or upper respiratory infection. I ended up using a humidifier, the cold went away and my daughter was perfect when she was born. Good luck with the baby :)

As much as it may seem that you might be hurting the baby or worried about pushing him out, don't worry he is fine and you will not push him out. I was worried about the same thing with my 1st son when I was sick. I called my doctor and he said everything will be fine and not to worry about hurting the baby or having the baby come out. It is miserable to be sick when you are pregnant, but everything will be just fine. No need to worry.
D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7, and 4.

Greetings C.,

Your question is not crazy at all. Every pregnant woman have her share of scares and stories related to these kind of doubts. I was pregnant twice and know exactly about what you are going through. ...

First of all... NO you are not going to hurt your baby... but I am too, like other ladies, worried about you. Your problem won't leave you right away but there are some ways to make it feel less painful. If you have already gone to your doc. then it's great, now you already know what to do. If not, then please do make your app. as soon as possible.

Meanwhile... here's what you can do to ease yourself.

Drink tea.. green or black, strong or light, whatever you like.... it's not at all harmful to you. Instead of heating your tea in microvave .. use stove to heat water first and then tea leaves in it.... It will calm you and your senses..

Ginger, and black pepper is another remedy to calm you. Add as much ginger juice and powdered black pepper as much you like, while boiling the water for tea.. drink it with milk or suger or just drink it straight with no milk and suger. All three of them are going to help for soothing your throat. Since they are all chemical free, thus no worries about hurting baby..

You can also use ginger and pepper in hot tomato/vegitable/chicken/whatever you like... soup. I remember having terrible cold and cough during my second pregnancy. All I did at that time is eat as much soup as I can and made them as much spicey hot... chilli hot as I could. I remember I tried all those halopenio/black peppers I could. The hotter it was the better it felt to my throat.

Honey is another remedy for your throat.

I remember these things worked great with me, and I didn't take medicines during my pregnancies.

I hope these things will help you. You are more than welcome to ask more regarding this from me, I might remember some more home remedies by then.

In addition to seeing your doctor in case you have bronchitis, try using a humidifier in the room where you sleep. You can also get a plug-in from sudafed that releases menthol vapor in the room which really helps with breathing. Or, if your humidifier allows (read the manual) you can add special menthol liquid into the humidifier or into a chamber and it vaporizes as the machine runs. If you don't have one, get one and you will be glad you did, as it will help your baby sleep it she gets a cold this winter. Good luck and feel better soon.

Your not going to hurt him, but you may hurt yourself! You may want to find out if you have bronchitis or something. If you just have a cold, you may be able to take something, but talk to your docter first. I would recommend drinking lots of warm fluids because they prevent white blood cells in some way which allows your immune system to fight harder. I hope that you feel better!

not stupid! do you have a fever? have you seen your doctor? you need a cough suppressant and possibly an antibiotic. LMC

Your little guy is nicely cushioned in there.. don't worry about him. I would contact your dr though to see what its ok to take for a cough so you can be more comfortable- hope you feel better soon!

I don't think you are hurting the baby, but I would surely check with your OB just to be certain. Not to mention he/she may be able to give you something to supress the cough.

I actually had the same thing with my second one. I don't think it really hurts the baby, but I did have trouble sleeping. The doctor prescribed me a cough medicine that really helped. I think once I got some sleep, I was able to kick the cold and feel much better. If things are ok with the baby, they can usually give you something a little stronger since you are in the 3rd trimester.

Hope you get to feeling better!!

Hi C. sorry about your cold. you should go to the dr. he should have something that you can take. Also try mint tea to drink. brew it by boiling water then placing the tea bag in the water and cover for 5 to 10 min. after that sweeten to taste and drink . The mint helps to break up the phleghm and should help quiet the cough. but most of all talk to your dr.

Oh boy, I feel your pain. When I was pregnant I had a cold and cough so bad I ended each spell with wet panties. And at WORK to boot. I went to my OB and got a cough syrup with Codene in it. Worked great and I got to loose the depends :) Hope that helps...I don't think you are going to hurt your baby, but I would avoid having to wear old ladies diapers at ALL COST. I just wouldn't take an OTC cough medicine without talking to your Dr first. And NEVER be afraid to ask any kind of question :D

A friend of mine had pneumonia & pluricy(infection of the lining of the lungs) when she was 8 mo. pregnant & she coughed so hard that she went into preterm labor & was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks. her doc told her that her coughing so hard was putting strain on her uterus along with other muscles & tricking her body into thinking that she was ready to deliver. they were able to get her contractions to stop & her coughs under control & she delivered a healthy 9-lb 14oz baby boy almost 4 weeks later. I would definately go to your doc & talk to him about the best cough meds you can take. they have a ready good cough pill "tusslin pearls", but i'm not sure if it's ok to take while you're pregnant. good luck & God be with you.