Text: Evgeniya Bagma
In the second trimester, the unborn child is already less at risk from viral infections that his mother gets sick with than in early dates... But this does not completely eliminate the risk - a cold in the second trimester, to put it mildly, is an undesirable phenomenon.
Complications of colds during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester
Cold during the second trimester poses less danger for the mother and his unborn child than viral infections in early pregnancy, since by this time the fetus is already formed. But a cold transferred during this period can cause fetoplacental insufficiency - a violation of the functions of the placenta, which can lead to fetal hypoxia (oxygen starvation), developmental delay, and the risk of premature birth increase. In addition, a cold in the second trimester can affect the baby's nervous system, as it develops during this period.
Although a cold during pregnancy cannot cause malformations in the 2nd trimester, this is not a reason to neglect treatment and start the disease: at the 14th week of pregnancy, it can cause a miscarriage or disruption of the baby's endocrine system, at 16-17 weeks, it can affect the formation of the child's bone tissue, and at 19-20 weeks - for the formation of eggs in female infants.
Treating colds in the second trimester
A cold in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is a disease that requires mild but timely treatment, which in each case is prescribed by the attending physician of the future woman in labor. Unfortunately, pregnant women are contraindicated in a large amount drugsprescribed for colds and flu. Therefore, the patient should first of all observe bed rest, take a heavy drink, gargle with herbal infusions and soda, rinse the nose with saline, and drink tea with raspberries to lower the temperature. In no case should the expectant mother be allowed to suffer a cold in the second trimester on her legs - the disease can cause complications that pose an even greater danger to the child. Be careful when using home remedies - they may also have contraindications.
Whenever the expectant mother has a cold during pregnancy, the 2nd trimester is no less unpleasant for her period, like any other. Perhaps the disease will not have any consequences for the baby, but in any case, it is difficult for a pregnant woman to tolerate the infection, so it is very important that during this period she is especially surrounded by care and attention.
A woman whose body cannot prevent the penetration of a viral infection into it during pregnancy is experiencing how such a process will affect the development and condition of her child. It is known that any disease manifests itself in completely different ways at different stages of pregnancy. A cold in the second trimester of pregnancy can no longer cause such serious harm as in the first 12 weeks of bearing a child, but some disorders can occur.
Why is the disease dangerous during this period?
The second trimester of pregnancy lasts from 12 to 24 weeks, during this period the baby is reliably protected by the placenta, which prevents viral infections from entering his body. Through the placenta, it receives nutrients and oxygen from the mother, but the virus can disrupt this vital relationship.
Many women often ask specialists whether a cold can really affect pregnancy if it enters the body of the expectant mother after 13 weeks from the moment of conception. Danger colds lies in the fact that placental exchange can easily be disrupted, as a result of which oxygen is supplied in insufficient quantities to the baby. In the case when oxygen starvation occurs, and soon fetal hypoxia, slow physical and mental development, underdevelopment or improper formation of many organs and systems can be observed. Based on this, obstetricians-gynecologists recommend that all women from the moment of conception constantly monitor their health and take all necessary measures to prevent the development of a cold.
Due to fetoplacental insufficiency caused by impaired placental metabolism, a child may be born earlier than expected, often with insufficient weight. Such babies usually have a pale skin color, they are very lethargic and weak. Moreover, in the second trimester, the active development of the nervous system occurs, so there is a great risk that it may also be affected. Therefore, there is no doubt that a cold affects pregnancy, having a harmful effect on the body of the mother and child.
Other dangerous complications
If a woman falls ill with a cold at 13 weeks of pregnancy, there is a high probability that the baby's endocrine system will suffer, and a miscarriage is also not excluded. In the case when such a process develops at 16-17 weeks after conception, the bone marrow will most likely suffer, causing irreversible consequences.
A woman expecting the birth of her daughter should take special care at 19-20 weeks, because it is during this period that the egg cell is formed. And if it penetrates into the body of a pregnant woman viral infection, this may be fraught with infertility in the female infant in the future.
Considering all the danger that may arise if a woman falls ill with a cold, it should be concluded that it is impossible to let the disease take its course, you should immediately contact a specialist. Of course, it is much better if a woman prepares her body in advance for the upcoming serious load, strengthening her immune system, so that colds for all 9 months will not be able to harm her and her child.
Temperature in the second trimester
Very rarely, colds affecting the body of the expectant mother are manifested by minor malaise, much more often they are accompanied by an increase in body temperature. It is generally accepted that the temperature does not adversely affect the condition and development of the baby, since at this moment the placenta already protects it. However, the treatment of colds is significantly complicated, since it becomes necessary to use antipyretic drugs, among which only paracetamol is permitted. A pregnant woman can take paracetamol and other drugs based on this substance Panadol, Efferalgan. True, paracetamol for a woman and a baby will be safe only with the use of a small amount of this medicine. It is strictly forbidden to take such medications as:
- Aspirin;
- Nurofen;
- Analgin.
You cannot bring down the temperature for a cold in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy if it is below 38 degrees, since such actions can only worsen the health of the pregnant woman, weakening the body's defenses. If necessary, lower body temperature is best used folk methods - drink a decoction of linden blossom, tea with raspberries, make cold compresses. If elevated temperature is not accompanied by other symptoms of a cold - a runny nose, cough, malaise, it is worth visiting a specialist's office. Indeed, in this case, quite serious diseases can develop, the temperature usually occurs with such diseases:
- pyelonephritis;
- tuberculosis;
- pneumonia;
- herpes.
Pregnant women should not worry if they persist for a long time subfebrile temperature - 37 - 37, 5, because this is a normal process, however, in the absence of any violations during the course of pregnancy. However, such a subfebrile condition should not be observed in the third trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes the presence of a temperature can be caused by an ectopic position of the fetus, therefore, an ultrasound scan is required.
How is the treatment carried out?
Self-medication during pregnancy is fraught with complications, it is necessary to consult a specialist
Treatment of a cold in the second trimester in a pregnant woman should be carried out only by a doctor, and given the fact that during this period the use of drugs is completely undesirable, they must be replaced with folk remedies. First of all, doctors insist that the following actions become the main methods of treatment for the expectant mother:
- compliance with bed rest;
- drinking a lot of warm drinks;
- gargling with soda and decoctions of medicinal plants;
- rinsing the nasopharynx with saline;
- implementation of inhalations.
For pain and sore throat, you can rinse it with antiseptic agents using:
- an alcohol or oil solution of chlorophyllipt;
- lugol's solution;
- iodine saline solution.
Resolving the lemon will help if the sore throat is minor. Take off inflammatory process inhalations with drugs such as chamomile, pine buds, plantain, coltsfoot, tricolor violet, succession will help. It is necessary to treat cough in pregnant women taking into account its type - dry or wet, since therapy should have significant differences. With a dry cough, it is necessary to use funds aimed at moisturizing the mucous membrane, and with a wet cough, it is necessary to increase its viscosity and bring it to the surface respiratory tract... When wet cough inhalations using such means are useful:
- Dissolve honey in warm water 1: 5, but the water temperature should not exceed 50 degrees, as honey will lose all its healing properties. The vapors should be inhaled through the mouth for 10 minutes.
- Pour a spoonful of sage herbs with a glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, the solution is ready for use.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of eucalyptus herb, a spoonful of pine buds, a spoonful of chopped garlic, put everything in a saucepan and pour boiling water, breathe in pairs for 10 minutes.
With a dry cough, you can prepare such a decoction for ingestion: take raspberry leaves, coltsfoot, mint, chamomile, marshmallow and pine buds in a tablespoon, pour a glass of boiling water, soak in a water bath for 10 minutes, strain and drink half a glass of 2 once a day. However, the most common way to treat dry cough in children and pregnant women is to drink warm milk with the addition of butter, honey and soda. It is better to drink such a medicine immediately before bedtime, and in the morning it will be possible to notice an improvement in well-being. In the second trimester of pregnancy, a woman can protect herself from a cold by using oxolinic ointment to lubricate the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
It is important to know what to do if a pregnant woman gets sick with a cold, because only with timely and correct treatment many dangerous complications... In this case, treatment should be carried out only as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision until complete recovery future mother.
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You don't have to worry - it's not dangerous. Of course, some young mothers will not stop panicking at these words, but nevertheless - this is really so. Gynecologists say that in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, the child is not so susceptible to various kinds of negative influences (infections, viruses and pathogenic microorganisms). Of course, this does not in the least reduce the danger of an untreated or ignored cold. Every woman who is in an interesting position needs to pay attention to the state of her body.
Can there be complications of a cold during pregnancy?
By the 2nd trimester, the fetus is already fully formed. And that is why he is no longer afraid of a cold as it could be in the 1st trimester. But, nevertheless, there is a risk that a cold transferred at this time will lead to placental insufficiency. What it is?
Reference!
Fetoplacental insufficiency is a pathology characterized by a violation of almost all functions of the placenta. As a result, oxygen starvation in the fetus can occur. This already leads to a delay in mental and physical development, and can also provoke a premature birth in a woman. In addition, an untreated cold in a woman affects the child's nervous system, because it is in the 2nd trimester that its development and formation takes place.
Good news! A cold in the 2nd trimester cannot cause complex malformations. But, this is not a reason to ignore the malaise and poor health of a person. In no case should the disease be started. According to statistics: if a woman does not treat a cold at the 14th week of pregnancy, then this leads to a disruption of the endocrine system in the fetus; the running course of colds at week 17 provokes disturbances in the formation of the bone tissue of the unborn baby. At the 20th week of pregnancy, ARVI leads to a violation of the production and formation of eggs in a female fetus. That is, as you may have noticed, the consequences of neglect of one's health, first of all, are reflected not at all on the body of a young mother, but on her child.
Pregnancy and SARS
ARVI is an acute viral infection or, in other words, a cold. Every gynecologist will say in the affirmative: the shorter a woman's pregnancy, the higher the degree of danger.
The most dangerous period in this regard is the first 3 months of pregnancy. But, this is not surprising! During these months, the fetus is not protected by anything (the placenta is formed only at 4 months of pregnancy). If a virus enters the mother's body or an infection does not fight with them, then this leads to the emergence of malformations incompatible with the life of the baby. As a result, a woman is faced with such a concept as a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage due to incompatible with his life.
In the second trimester, the child is protected from external influences by the placenta, through which no virus or bacteria can penetrate. But, if a woman's pregnancy proceeds with complications in the form of an exacerbation of a number chronic diseases, as well as pathologies of placental exchange, this leads to serious consequences in any month of pregnancy.
In obstetric practice, there are cases when ARVI in a woman in the 2nd trimester leads to a disruption in the formation of the brain and spinal cord, as well as most of the vital systems. It is possible that the child, as a result of infection, will begin to lag significantly behind in development.
It is surprising, but a cold suffered by a woman before pregnancy can also negatively affect the child's body. That is, if a woman catches a cold a month or two or even a week before she becomes pregnant, then the child may be born with signs of hypoxia. What does it mean? The fact that the baby at birth may be lethargic, very pale, weak and with obvious respiratory dysfunctions. Therefore, if you decide to plan a child and this article came to your eyes, start with a general improvement of the body, as well as vitamin therapy.
Statistics! 80% of women during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester suffer from colds. But, despite this, the child is born healthy and the pregnancy goes well enough.
What can not be used to treat a cold?
In order to start treatment, you need to understand what exactly should not be taken during pregnancy.
- So, biological additives and antibiotics are strictly prohibited for a pregnant woman! In no case do not risk your health and the life of your unborn child!
- During pregnancy, it is not allowed to take a hot bath, soar your feet, go to the sauna and steam bath.
- It is forbidden to take such popular medicines as Efferalgan, as well as Aspirin.
- To reduce the body temperature of a pregnant woman, it is often enough to rub off cold water with a low alcohol content.
- You should not be very warm and wear woolen socks and very warm clothes - this will only harm you.
- If you have a runny nose, it is forbidden to take vasoconstrictor drugs in the form of Sanorin, Nazivin, Naftizin, Otrivin and others. Only a doctor can prescribe such medications and only if your health is in danger.
How can a cold be treated?
In order to relieve the temperature, a pregnant woman can take 1-2 tablets of paracetomol. To quickly reduce the high temperature, you need to start intensively wiping your body with water with vinegar essence or vodka (alcohol).
Doctors warn not to bring down the temperature if it stays below 38 degrees. A temperature below 38 degrees indicates that a woman's body is actively fighting the infectious process.
Need to know! At a temperature of 37 to 38 degrees, a person produces the substance interferon, which is necessary for the active fight and destruction of viruses and infections of colds.
But, if you have a high temperature for more than 2 days, then you need to bring it down - otherwise there is a risk of metabolic disturbances in the child's body.
Any disease during pregnancy is undesirable, as it affects the health of the woman and can affect the course of pregnancy. This also applies to colds, which very often attack women in position due to the low level of immune defense.
As for the period of pregnancy, it is most dangerous in the first three months. But this does not mean that after 12 weeks the disease does not pose a threat to the mother and her baby. Although the second trimester is considered the safest, there is also the likelihood of developing negative consequences. How to get rid of traces of a cold in the second trimester of pregnancy, so as not to harm the baby?
What is a cold?
The process of activation of viruses occurs against the background of a weakened immune system. It is quite easy to pick up at any time of the year, for example, wet your feet in winter or sit under a working air conditioner in summer. When a woman feels cold and shivering, there is the possibility of developing a cold.
Diseases are caused by viruses that live in the nasopharynx, namely adenoviruses and rhinoviruses. These organisms penetrate inside the cell, and it is unrealistic to completely remove them from the body. Immunity to this group of viruses is not developed, and there are no effective vaccines. Therefore, the main method of treatment and prevention is a careful treatment of your health during pregnancy.
A cold can be recognized by the following symptoms:
- Increased body temperature;
- Chills;
- Pain and;
- Runny nose;
- A cough may appear;
- Headache and malaise;
- Drowsiness;
- Loss of appetite.
- The placenta is fully formed and is actively functioning;
- From the 16th week, bone tissue begins to form;
- From the 18th week, the first changes in the formation of the central nervous system and organs of the endocrine system occur;
- From week 19, the ovaries are formed (if the fetus is female).
- Inflammatory process in the placenta and uterus as a result of infection;
- High temperatures can cause toxins to enter the fetus through the general bloodstream;
- Placental hydrocephalus or premature aging, this can cause premature birth;
- Developmental disabilities as a result of food starvation, pregnant women eat poorly during illness, so the necessary components do not enter the fetus;
- The development of angina, various sinusitis, diseases that can cause fetal hypoxia due to oxygen starvation;
- Fetoplacental insufficiency is a special pathology of the placenta caused by a common one.
- Rinsing the nose. To clear mucus from your nose, you need to use a saline solution. As for drops or sprays, they are used only in the most extreme cases, when it is impossible to cope with the discharge. Use herbal remedies or mild vasoconstrictor drugs. Inhalation based on saline or sea salt is also considered effective.
- You can wash your throat with saline or soda solution. In this case, it is better not to use pharmaceutical preparations, most of them have aggressive components that can penetrate into the general bloodstream.
- In the second trimester, experts admit the use of echinacea. It is an immunostimulating herb that is non-addictive and non-allergenic.
- In no case should you do warming procedures, for example, steam for the legs, mustard plasters, rubbing. For pregnant women, these methods can be extremely dangerous, they increase blood flow, therefore, increase the tone of the uterus. As a result, there is a threat of miscarriage.
- If you have a fever, then you should see a doctor. This symptom very dangerous and can cause general intoxication. To relieve the temperature, you need to delicately select a drug, popular remedies are prohibited (Aspirin, Nurofen). It is not necessary to bring down the temperature to 38 degrees. If the indicators are above 38, then you can use raspberry broth. When high temperature, more than 38.7 use drugs that include paracetamol, but under the supervision of a doctor.
At first glance, the symptoms are no different from the symptoms of a common cold in a person. But the danger is that a common cold in pregnant women can cause serious complications in the form of bacterial infectious diseases.
What are the features of the second trimester?
The second trimester lasts 13 to 24 weeks. This is the time when the fetus inside the woman is protected by the formed placenta, she is responsible for transporting food, oxygen and essential substances, and also protects the fetus from external infectious lesions.
The second trimester is characterized by the following changes:
The likelihood of catching a cold during this period is reduced due to active protection, but there is such a danger. In the second trimester, colds can affect the condition of the placenta, than cause dangerous processes.
What is the danger of a cold in the second trimester of pregnancy?
The fetus during this period is actively protected by the placenta, but still the probability of the disease remains. Starting from the 13th week, the following complications can be observed in a pregnant woman as a result of a cold:
It is important to understand that viruses are not able to directly affect the condition of the fetus in the second trimester. Therefore, abnormal changes do not occur. The main object of attack is the placenta, the baby's nutrition depends on it, so you should not be careless about your health during the second trimester.
Treatment of colds in the second trimester
Treatment should be started as soon as the first symptoms begin to appear. But it should be understood that many drugs cannot be taken in such a delicate period, therefore, a specialist consultation is necessary. The main emphasis in treatment is on relieving symptoms; for this, some traditional and folk methods are actively used.
Cold therapy provides for bed rest, the woman should lie warm. She should drink a lot and eat well. Tea with honey, lemon, raspberry broth is suitable for drinking, if there is a cough, you can add rose hips, elderberries, chamomile. The diet should be replenished with useful foods to increase immunity. The main viruses are found in the nasopharynx, so treatment should be started in this area.
Symptomatic therapy includes the following treatment procedures:
With normal treatment, symptoms of the disease can be eliminated within 4-7 days.