Illness in pregnancy

[leelapops]

Hi everyone, my friend is about 10 weeks pregnant, and has had a chest infection since Christmas.
With being pregnant, she can't take any medication for it, but she's really suffering.

Can anyone recommend anything safe and/or natural? And also, has anyone got tips on dealing with generalised sickness (i.e. not just 'morning' sickness)?

Many thanks, Lisa. x

[redcrx]

firstly she should see her GP for advice. If she has an infection they should be able to prescribe some anibiotics for her.

She can take paracetomol and also i think she should be ok to have a vapouriser in the room and vicks vapourub.

As for sickness, the only way to try and beat it is to eat little and often, let her eat what she fancies, within reason, and if she doesnt feel its healthy enough then pregnancy vitamins can be taken too.

She needs to get as much rest as she can, early nights and no overdoing things, pregnancy alone is tiring without being ill on top of that.

i hope she feels better soon, the good news is morning sickness usually subsides at around 12 weeks.

[leelapops]

Hi red, thank you for your comprehensive answer sweetie.

That's all really useful. Her GP told her antibiotics were an absolute no-no, and wouldn't provide them, so she's really frustrated. The pharmacist wouldn't even advise paracetamol, but she's taking it anyway!

It's her second child, and she really suffered with her first as well, so she's fairly fed up!

I will mention the pregnncy vitamins, because they might just give her immune system a boost.

Thanks for your kind wishes. x

[Psychick]

Hi leelapops,

I cant believe her doctor, and the pharmacist werent more helpful. Has she spoken to her midwife about this? I know she wont be seeing her often at this early stage but she could perhaps give her a call. If her sickness is more than morning sickness, she really needs to ask to see her midwife who will hopefully be able to offer advice and reassurance. I have to say though, it sounds like she may be unfortunate to suffer with sickness throughout so definately needs to build up her immune system. Pregnacare would be a good suppliment for her I think. I had morning sickness for 7 months, but best not tell your friend that lol But I hope she doesnt have it for much longer and gets her chest infection out of the way.

[leelapops]

Psychick, thank you! I really thought that it was better tht she took a mild course of anti-Bs to aid a speedy recovery so the rest of her pregnancy is better, so I will definitely suggest she gets in touch with her midwife. She has a 12-week scan in a couple of weeks anyway, so can certainly ask then if she can't get in before that.

I will also recommend Pregnacare too.

She was sick all through her previous pregnancy, and afterwards too! but apparently the baby is worth it? :S *lol*

Cheers x

[Psychick]

Oh they are worth it, well that is what I keep telling myself anyway lol

I think she shouldnt wait another couple of weeks to speak to her midwife though and, if anything like it is where I am, she wont even see her midwife for the scan. It will probably be done by sonographer who probably wont be of any help when it comes to advise. Im not saying theyre useless, its just not part of their job.

[gem_35]

when pregnant you can definately take anti-biotics, i had severe chest infection during my pregnancy and was prescribed amoxicillin, 500mg twice daily for 7days. all docs are different about prescibing medication to women during pregnancy, maybe try seeing different doc at same practice?