What can we take for a cold or flu?

Is there anything safe here that we are allowed to take while pregnant when we have a cold or the flu?  I woke up with a cold this morning. (Was starting last night)  Thank you!

I have a sinus and ear infection.  I have been allowed to take Sinutab - in addition to my antibiotics and paracetemol.  I was allowed paracetemol w/codeine for a couple of days b/c my ears were in excruciating pain.  This was after I'd gone a week w/sinusitis and was unable to clear my sinuses despite steaming, Olbas oil, saline water in the nostrils, hot towels on my face, etc.

I am also 3rd trimester. 

Hmph. I was told nothing but paracetamol! 

Hmph. I was told nothing but paracetamol! 

Yep, that's the stock answer, especially for 1st trimester, along w/things like sniffing Olbas oil, steaming your face, hot towels on your face, etc.  Go on American parenting boards - like the webmd pregnancy boards, however, and they get to take things like plain Sudafed and Sinutab.

Then again, the British don't call for innoculating pregnant women against the flu.  Whereas the American guidlines do. 

They'll usually give way, however, when you go in there w/nasties like ears that are mega painful to the touch, a fever, green mucus and bruised eyes from infected sinuses.  Yuk.

They'll also let you have codeine for SPD. 

I was told Sudafed was okay.  But, like expat, I was in my third trimester so I'm not sure if it's acceptable before that.

This is from the US BabyCenter site:

Guaifenesin plus dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, Benylin Expectorant, Vicks Cough Syrup)
Cough drops
Vicks VapoRub

Note that some cold remedies contain alcohol, so you may want to use them sparingly if at all. Avoid products that contain the decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which can affect blood flow to the placenta.

Here's the link to the page: http://www.babycenter.com/general/pregnancytravel/pregnancy/9327.html

I hope that you find something that works for you - and be prepared for a lot of sinus problems.  It's one of the joys of pregnancy! 

I hope that you find something that works for you - and be prepared for a lot of sinus problems.  It's one of the joys of pregnancy! 

Too right!  I have a lot of problems w/sinuses normally, but have had sinus infections during each pregnancy b/c of not being able to load up on decongestants when it's just sinusitis.  So I always wind up w/a nasty infection that usually goes into the ears. 

I remember even in the US the selection of meds that pregnant women could take being very limited in the first trimester. 

Thank you guys, I am officially 2nd trimester now.  Hmmm I feel so bad, I am no where near as bad as you expat!!!  You poor thing!!!  I have sudafed here and saline spray, I'll get that olbas oil stuff too.  Oh and I have Vick vapor rub, but it's not that bad yet 

If you can get hold of one of those face steamers, they're ace.  You can add essential oils to them as well. 

My sinuses always give me trouble - I have a permanent supply of NyQuil and DayQuil to hand - it's just that I can't take those whilst pregnant.

If you can get hold of one of those face steamers, they're ace.  You can add essential oils to them as well. 

My sinuses always give me trouble - I have a permanent supply of NyQuil and DayQuil to hand - it's just that I can't take those whilst pregnant.

Good idea!  Will see if I can find one!

I have so much Theraflu here, I love it, but not good right now.

I was aloud to take Sudafed in my 2nd trimester in the US.  Went to visit the UK and couldn't get any, had to send DH to get it.  It didn't work very well, so it was antibiotic for the chest infection, lots of Vicks vapor rub, Tylonol, a stack of pillows behind my head and enough water to flood a small city. 

I found water was the key.  It helps to keep your nose running and I ended up getting the shakes because I got dehydrated with all the traveling.  My doctor was not to happy about that.

Went to visit the UK and couldn't get any, had to send DH to get it. 

Yeah, that happens.  If you have a prescription for it they're more than happy to hand it out. 

Hmph. I was told nothing but paracetamol! 

me too... from my midwife.