Introduction
Colds are one of the most common diseases and so it is not surprising that a cold in pregnancy is not at all unusual. As a rule, a simple cold is annoying and stressful, but not dangerous. It can happen to almost anyone.
Especially in the cold, wet winter months, when most people are virus carriers, there is a high risk of infection. This does not stop then also before becoming mothers. In addition, up to 20% of all pregnant women suffer from a chronic, long-lasting cold (rhinitis during pregnancy), which some also count as a cold in the broader sense.
But what exactly is a cold during pregnancy? What should one do? Which things and drugs could be dangerous? And which doctor is the right contact person in this special situation? All these questions about the common cold during pregnancy should be answered here.
Is a cold during pregnancy dangerous for the baby?
A simple cold is usually not dangerous for the baby. Colds are caused by a very high percentage of viruses and often locally affect the upper respiratory tract. This means that the mother’s immune system is able to fight off the infection sufficiently before the virus can affect the rest of the body.
In addition, a cold during pregnancy even causes the baby to get a so-called nest protection. The mother’s immune system forms antibodies when fighting the virus. Antibodies are small proteins that specifically recognize the virus and can trigger an immune response.
These antibodies are also transferred to the baby so that it has immune cells against the cold viruses even before birth. Caution should only be exercised if the cold is accompanied by a fever, which remains at around 39 degrees Celsius for several days. Prolonged fever can cause premature labor and should be checked by a doctor.
In general, the mother should make sure that she gets enough rest and fluids when she has a cold, as pregnancy is an additional burden on the body. Thus it can be that pregnant women need more rest. This is also important to prevent a second infection, which can be added to a normal cold.
