Is There a Cold Medicine That's Safe to Take When Pregnant?

Always consult with a doctor before taking medications while pregnant.

Pregnancy is a time of constant worrying. Pregnant women get colds just like everyone else, but must keep the baby in mind and be careful of what medications they take. While there are more medications to avoid than can be taken, there are some things that are safe to take if you get a cold during pregnancy.

Significance

Everything a woman ingests during pregnancy is passed to the baby, so it is important that a pregnant woman be careful not to take in anything that could be harmful to the fetus.

Types

The following types of cold medicine are considered safe to take while pregnant: doxylamine (Actifed), guaifenesin (Robitussin and Mucinex) and chlorphreniramine (Benadryl).

Time Frame

Medications pose the biggest risk during the first and third trimesters. During the first trimester medications pose a risk to developing organs, and during the third trimester some medications can interfere with delivery, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Warning

Many liquid cold medicines contain alcohol. Check the label and do not take these as alcohol can be damaging to the fetus.

Considerations

Try some non-medicinal techniques for relieving cold symptoms, such as gargling salt water or sucking on honey throat lozenges.

References

• Baby Center: Cold Medications
• Safe Cold Medicines While Pregnant