I realize that not everyone is a “purist” like me, meaning they are a bit more lenient on themselves when it comes to what they do and don’t do during pregnancy. But the combination of my “just grin and bear it” attitude and my husband’s “don’t do anything they even hint you should do during pregnancy” attitude, it leaves very little room for the regular default when sick: drugs.
What I am recovering from (I do still have a lingering cough, which always seems like the last symptom to grab and hang on at the end of an illness) is some form of sinus cold; mostly a really congested, achy head with lots of mucus flow preventing comfortable sleep for a few nights and leading to some irritable, exhausting days. The first night I was absolutely exhausted but ended up lying in bed for two hours tossing and turning before I thought to get up and use the first remedy I was taught as a child by my mom:
1. Gargle and sniff warm salt water. It sounds strange and is admittedly pretty gross, but I promise it works! I filled a 16oz glass cup with ½ tsp salt and as hot of water as I dared (the hotter the better job it does of breaking up the mucus) and alternated between gargling (really make loud noises with your throat to break up the mucus) and sniffing (just as it sounds, sniff the water through your nose). You will be amazed and grossed out by the results. Lots of phlegm that was hanging around in your nose and throat! It relieved me enough to sleep soundly for a couple of hours. I continued this routine quite a few times a day and night throughout my two worst days of sickness, each time with considerable relief. Be sure to have a tissue around for blowing your nose really well when you are done!
2. Hot lemon water and honey. Another of my mom’s remedies and one that is virtually free. I always have lemon juice concentrate in the fridge (but you can also just squeeze a fresh lemon) so I just pour about ½ inch worth into the bottom of a mug, add hot water, and sweeten with lemon (I like mine more tart than sweet). The lemon does wonders to sooth a sore, raw throat (something else I found myself with). As far as I know you can do this as often as necessary. The other benefit is that you are getting hydrated without forcing down cup after cup of water, which may not be too appealing at this point.
3. Hydrogen peroxide in your ears. This is actually something you should do at the first hint of sickness because it is suppose to help ward off the sickness. I can’t get technical here but if you do a google search of flu and hydrogen peroxide you’ll find all sorts of sites giving the medical reason this should be effective. My husband and I try to use hydrogen peroxide in our ears every time we are feeling a bit off and it has seemed to help over the years. I admit I did do it this time but maybe not soon enough. Anyway, here’s the method: Get a rag, some peroxide, and a pillow and lay on one side. Pour about ¾ capful of peroxide in one ear and relax as you feel the peroxide start to bubble. The more it bubbles (you should wait between 8-10 min. for it to either stop or heavily subside) the more it’s suppose to be working. I have tried it when I don’t feel sick and most often it never does bubble, so I do actually believe it’s doing something right when it does bubble. When the time is up switch sides and repeat. The bubbles can be a bit tickly if they are really going crazy but for the most part I find this a relaxing activity. I’ve done it more than once in a day but usually it doesn’t bubble much the second time.
4. Drink Jello that is still warm and hasn’t had a chance to settle yet. This was the recommendation of my neighbor the other day and she had a package she insisted I try so I did. I simply added a cup of hot water and a cup of cold water and drank it slowly. It was quite tasty and there was something about the gelatin texture that was soothing. By the time I did drink it I was pretty much better but I could see how this would be especially helpful if you had flu-like symptoms and weren’t able to stomach much. It’s also great for kids. My kids, like me, were pretty much better by last night but they were delighted to try the Jello drink and I have a feeling it will become a requested favorite when they get sick again – and something I won’t have to fight them to ingest. It does have quite a bit of sugar in it but I’m sure you could get the sugar free or make your own if you wanted.
5. Drink as much water as you can get yourself to drink (within reason of course, don’t go shocking your body because you can actually drink too much water – I’ve known someone who ended up in the hospital with serious issues because of it). Just be sure you drink at least the recommended 8 cups of water a day, and preferably more like 10.
6. Nap. Ok, I know most of you don’t need to be told this but I do! I am not a good daytime sleeper, or at least I wasn’t until about my third pregnancy. Then it became a matter of survival because my naps were really just getting me as close as possible to 8 hours of total rest time in 24 hours. I hate taking naps because I like to use that time for other things I can’t usually do when the kids are awake. But between weeks 8-18 of pregnancy I find it hard to resist them when I do have a chance. And when I’m sick I find them especially helpful for giving me the boost I need to endure through dinner and bedtime routines without having a complete meltdown. So please, if you are like me and tend to write naps off for “lazy people”, get over it and take one. You’ll be glad you did (once you actually wake up that is, sometimes I do feel worst for about 10 min. after waking up because I’m so out of it).
I’m sure I could think of more but I’ll stick to these. I would be curious to know what others of you do to deal with sickness without drugs (pregnant or not). I’m always open to trying new things as long as they are virtually free and not too strange!
Ugh! being sick when you're pregnant is the worst! I had a sinus infection a few weeks before Isaiah was born. I was blowing my nose so much that I was afraid I would go into early labor! I did try sudafed, after talking to my Dr. and because I was so near the end of my pregnancy they said it would be OK. But it didn't really work. I used the Neti pot, got a humidifier and used tons of VICKS. It helped relieve the symptoms enough to get through it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love your new blog. Can't wait to read more! Margaret