Things to keep in mind when pregnant women have a cough with phlegm.
During pregnancy, a woman's immune system is significantly weakened, making her more susceptible to common illnesses like coughs and colds. How to treat a cough with phlegm during pregnancy is a concern for many expectant mothers.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy weaken the immune system, which is the main cause of coughs in pregnant women in the early stages. During pregnancy, women are very susceptible to bacterial and viral infections from the environment or those around them. Furthermore, changes in weather from rain to sunshine, hot to cold, etc., further increase the risk of coughing during pregnancy.
Coughing during pregnancy often increases mucus production, leading to nasal congestion and subsequent coughing (both dry and productive). If left untreated, this can lead to upper respiratory infections, affecting the health of both mother and fetus.
Cough relief measures for pregnant women
Pregnant women should not take too much medication as it can have negative consequences for the fetus's development. Therefore, when experiencing a cough, mothers should use traditional remedies to treat it to ensure the health and safety of both mother and baby.
Mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder with half a cup of water and a pinch of salt, then drink once a day for about three days. This is a way to protect your throat from inflammation.
To treat coughs in pregnant women, wash an orange, use chopsticks to make a small hole in the center of the orange, put salt inside, then let the orange juice soak for about 15 minutes, and eat the orange while it's still warm.
Alternatively, you can chop up orange peel and put it in a teapot to brew and drink daily.
Take about three to four kumquats, remove the seeds, put them in a bowl, pour honey over them until they are completely covered, mix well, and steam for about 10 to 15 minutes. Let the kumquats cool and consume two to three times a day. When drinking, hold the mixture in your mouth for about 5 seconds to allow the kumquats to slowly slide down your throat, helping to reduce inflammation and soothe a sore throat.
Pregnant women suffering from coughs caused by allergies leading to throat inflammation can take a guava, roast it, and eat it once a day for three to four days for noticeable relief.
You can steam tangerine peel along with licorice root, cogon grass root, and about three tablespoons of honey, then drink it daily. It can be diluted with warm boiled water to make it easier to swallow.
What should pregnant women avoid eating when they have a cough?
Besides using the folk remedies mentioned above, pregnant women should also be aware of and avoid certain foods after pregnancy.
Pregnant women should avoid eating food that has been refrigerated or frozen without thawing or heating it. Consuming too much cold food can also damage the spleen and impair its function.
You shouldn't eat peanuts, sunflower seeds, chocolate, coconut, or sugarcane when you have a cough. Eating fish, shrimp, or crab while coughing can worsen your condition.
Pregnant women should absolutely not smoke. Cigarette smoke contains approximately 4,000 toxic substances, 43 of which can cause cancer. Therefore, pregnant women need to avoid environments with cigarette smoke.
Pregnant women need to be extremely careful, avoiding places where respiratory illnesses can spread, and maintaining a nutritious diet to boost their immune system and fight off disease. In particular, if a pregnant woman experiences a cough, she should see a doctor for advice and timely, effective treatment.
