Common Cold in Pregnancy

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system.  Some of the symptoms of the common cold include cough, sneezing, sore throat, nasal discharge or nasal stuffiness.  During pregnancy, the body undergoes many changes which can increase the susceptibility to many infections including the common cold. Before taking any over-the-counter medications to treat cold symptoms, it is important to speak with a doctor regarding which medications are safe and which ones should be avoided.

The short-term use of over-the-counter cold medications has been shown to be safe and there is no known association between its use and the development of any fetal abnormalities.  However, these drugs should not be used for an extended period of time.