Coping with Bugs During Pregnancy

Disclaimer: This website does not provide medical advice. Remember to always consult your doctor before starting any treatment, even natural, especially when pregnant. Also consult your doctor if your symptoms persist or worsen. The information in this post is not meant as expert advice and is only my personal opinion.  This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please do not delay seeking or disregard a doctor’s advice because of anything that you read in this post.

Getting sick is never fun, and it’s even worse when you get sick and you’re pregnant. Your system is probably already feeling overwhelmed from just being pregnant (nausea, heartburn, constipation, headaches, mood swings, cramps, swelling, the list goes on!), but now your body is under attack by bugs that really don’t care how you might already be feeling.

I was lucky to not really get run down with any bugs when I was pregnant with Little Bear, but I suppose the universe is fair, and unfortunately I’ve gotten my fair share of bugs this time around! I’m lucky that I have a very supportive doctor and his clinic is always very helpful, but the bugs that I’ve been getting haven’t required any medicine – they were just little bugs that I had to get over! I’m generally not a huge fan of taking a lot of medicine (who really is?), but I also believe that sometimes it’s necessary to take some medicine, for a variety of different reasons. Being pregnant, there’s a long list of drugs that you can and can’t take; one of the approved drugs during pregnancy is acetaminophen, a drug that I don’t do well with taking. Because of this, I try to cope with these bugs in a more natural way. I wanted to write this post today to share some of the things that I do when dealing with bugs while pregnant.  These are also things that would work when you’re not pregnant, or for men or kids!

Here are some of the things that I like to do when I’m feeling run down or I’m fighting off a bug:

1. Drink lots of liquids: This is an obvious one, but one that a lot of people forget about when sick.  The last thing you want is to be dehydrated. I prefer to keep it simple with water, but fresh juice (like this Immune Boom Juice that I blogged about over on Scratch Mommy) or even sparkling water is fine if that’s what you prefer.
   
2. Drink it warm: Did you know that drinking warm water is better for you than drinking cold water? It improves digestion, circulation, and relieves congestion. I like my hot water with lemon in it, a habit I picked up from my sister and a friend who swear by the drink. When I’m feeling under the weather I also like to add in some yummy natural antibacterial, aka Manuka Honey! If you’ve never tried Manuka Honey, it tastes pretty good (this is coming from someone who doesn’t like honey in general), and it is said to be very healing. Another hot drink that I mix up when I’m feeling a bit sick is turmeric milk, or haldi milk. It’s easy to make, tasty, and if it was good enough for my mother and grandmother and great grandmother, it’s good enough for me! Here’s a link to my simple and soothing haldi milk recipe.
   
3. Rest, rest, and rest: It’s true what they say: building a baby is hard work. It’s exhausting, in fact! It’s always a good thing to take a nap when pregnant, and it’s necessary to take a nap or two or three when pregnant and sick. Rest. Put your feet up. You deserve it!
4. Use essential oils: Even if you’re not someone who has a hoard of essential oils, you have to admit that essential oils can change your mood, open your sinuses, and just make you feel better overall. A whiff of the right essential oil and I’m instantly relaxed and feeling better. Some of my favourites to use when I’ve been sick lately are peppermint, lavender, and this germ fighter blend by Plant Therapy.
   
5. Get outside: Fresh air can make a world of difference, and I find just being outside has helped me feel a lot better – more human and more awake. It’s a great way to relax, especially if you’re having trouble resting due to discomfort. Who doesn’t feel better under a bit of sunshine?

Those are some of my favourite ways to feel a bit better when I’m pregnant and fighting something off.  What do you do when you’re fighting off a bug? Do you have any natural remedies that work for you?