Is it possible to give birth with a cough and runny nose?

Stuffy nose before childbirth: causes and how to get rid of it?

As a rule, the last trimester is characterized by unusual and even strange sensations that arise in the expectant mother. All of them are caused by hormonal processes. Expectant mothers note that the stomach “goes” down, which makes it much easier for them to breathe. But it’s quite difficult to be in a sitting position, and moving your legs is also a problem. However, these are all temporary inconveniences that will soon end, because they all indicate that there will soon be a new addition to the family. In this article we will look at a runny nose before childbirth as a harbinger: myth or truth.

About treating colds

An expectant mother who feels signs of illness in anticipation of the birth of her baby should be extremely careful. It is contraindicated for most medications that therapists usually prescribe to patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infections, influenza, and acute respiratory viral infections. The main criterion for choosing symptomatic therapy is safety. The drug must be approved for pregnancy.

To relieve the signs of rhinitis, the expectant mother can use vasoconstrictor drops Nazivin, Naphthyzin, Halozolin before giving birth. You can bury them only once or twice a day, no more! It is recommended to use the above drops only in the acute stage of the disease, when nasal discharge is abundant. If a runny nose does not cause severe discomfort to a woman, then these drugs should not be used. And the reason is that all vasoconstrictor drops negatively affect placental blood flow. On the eve of childbirth, when the fetus is already fully formed and needs large quantities of nutrients and oxygen, such drugs can lead to hypoxia.

If a woman is bothered by severe sore throat, then it is allowed to use local antiseptics. Rinsing with a solution of chlorhexedine and furacillin is recommended. As a rule, antiseptics immediately relieve a sore throat, they eliminate microbes and soften the mucous membrane. You should not overuse such rinses. But infusions of chamomile or calendula for rinsing can be used in unlimited quantities. The expectant mother can gargle with such means every hour, always before bed.

As for antipyretic drugs, they should not be used at body temperatures up to 38 degrees. If it goes off scale, which is rare in practice, then antipyretics should be used. And in this case it is recommended to use Paracetamol. Raspberry jam produces a good effect. Grandma's old method in this case will be appropriate and safe. Aspirin should not be used to reduce fever. This medicine causes miscarriages and premature births. Also, during the period of a cold before childbirth, women are prohibited from taking antibiotics.

As for therapy with homeopathic medicines, their use is not recommended during this period. The same goes for immunomodulators. Only an immunologist can prescribe medications of this category after examining a pregnant woman.

The main recommendation in treatment before childbirth is not to suffer from a cold on your feet. Rest and bed rest should be observed by a pregnant woman for at least 2-3 days. It is also important to drink more fluids if there is no swelling. Tea with lemon and chamomile is suitable for this. Moreover, the drink should be warm so as not to irritate the throat.

A pregnant woman with a cold should always stay warm and wear warm socks. Baths are contraindicated in the run-up to childbirth. It is also prohibited to install mustard plasters.

Colds should not be ignored before the baby is born, because ordinary illness can develop into sinusitis, bronchitis, and sore throat.

About preventing colds during pregnancy

The main recommendation for the expectant mother is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and give up bad habits. She shouldn't get too cold. Clothes and shoes should be worn according to the season. Ascorbic acid and retinol are good protectors against infections.

During an epidemic of viral diseases, expectant mothers should drink more, eat garlic, onions, lemons, and use aroma lamps with eucalyptus, citrus, and fir oils.

Infection (from the Latin word: infectio - pollution) is a broad concept that characterizes the penetration of a pathogenic (disease-causing) agent (virus, bacteria, etc.) into another, more highly organized plant or animal organism and their subsequent antagonistic (hostile) relationship. Infectious diseases are a large group of diseases caused by pathogenic agents. Unlike other diseases, infectious diseases can be transmitted from an infected person or animal to a healthy one and are capable of widespread spread. The human body is constantly faced with a huge number of microorganisms. Some of them can cause infectious diseases. These microorganisms bind to the surface of cells and invade them. After the intracellular cycle of existence, the pathogenic microorganism destroys the cell, producing toxins. Toxins act on nearby cells and contribute to the development of the disease. Some microorganisms “know how” to prevent the production of antibodies - i.e. suppress the immune system, and the human body cannot fight the developing infection. Infectious diseases are diverse. Based on the type of pathogen, they are usually divided into several groups:

Of course, pregnant women suffer from the same infectious diseases as non-pregnant women. However, in the last months of pregnancy and before childbirth, the body is less resistant to infections. Therefore, a pregnant woman needs to exercise maximum caution, excluding any contact with persons who have signs of an infectious disease. Influenza and ARVI are perhaps the most common of all the listed infectious diseases. Considering that the peak incidence occurs in the off-season - autumn and spring - we will focus on them. So, what awaits a woman who falls ill just before giving birth?

What is an observational department?

If a pregnant woman enters the maternity hospital with signs of an infectious disease, she is hospitalized in the observation department. Why do they do this? The observation (or, as it is also called, the second obstetric) department is a miniature maternity hospital. This department admits pregnant women, women in labor and postpartum, who can be a source of infection for others (fever of unknown cause, carriage of antibodies to viruses B and C, a long anhydrous period - more than 12 hours, any infectious disease, postpartum purulent-septic diseases - endometritis, suppuration of the perineal sutures, etc.). Also, sick pregnant women from the first obstetric department are hospitalized in this department. Here are also children born in the second obstetric department, children whose mothers were transferred from the first obstetric department, and children born outside the maternity hospital. The structure of the observation department differs from the structure of the first (main) obstetric department. It definitely has its own maternity unit, its own operating room and its own department for newborns. At the same time, pregnant women and postpartum women are always in separate rooms. The rooms are usually designed for two people. The sanitary regime here is more strict than in the first obstetric department: the wards are cleaned 3 times a day: 1 time with detergents and 2 times with disinfectant solutions and subsequent bactericidal irradiation. Surgical instruments used in the department are disinfected in two stages - first in the department itself and second in the central sterilization room or sterilization department. In observational departments, disposable materials are widely used - scalpels, towels, etc. A certain regime also exists for medical personnel. A daily change of gown is required. Masks are changed every 4 hours. Replaceable shoes are wiped daily with disinfectant solutions (therefore, wearing woven shoes is not allowed). Doctors from other departments change their gown, mask and shoes when visiting the observation department. Pregnant and postpartum women have their bed linen changed twice a week. The neonatal ward also adheres to a stricter sanitary regime, similar to that in the observation ward itself. In the second obstetric department, the presence of mother and child together is excluded. This is explained by the fact that the mother has an acute infectious disease or a purulent-septic postpartum complication and there is a high probability of infection of the child. The issue of breastfeeding in the second obstetric department is decided strictly individually. Some pathogens, even during pasteurization of breast milk, can be transmitted to the baby, while others, on the contrary, do not penetrate into breast milk. If there are contraindications for breastfeeding, women express breast milk to prevent lactostasis and stimulate milk production for further breastfeeding (after recovery). In this way, the infection of a pregnant woman in the observation department with any other disease is prevented, the transmission of infection to other pregnant and postpartum women is prevented, and complications and infection of the child are prevented.

ARVI and flu before childbirth

Influenza and ARVI are transmitted by airborne droplets and their manifestations are largely similar. Both of these diseases begin acutely - with headache, severe weakness, weakness, pain in the muscles of the arms and legs. Sometimes nausea and vomiting may bother you. On the 2-3rd day, as a rule, a sore throat, dry cough and runny nose appear. The fever lasts 3-7 days (with influenza the temperature rises to 40°C), and a drop in temperature is accompanied by profuse sweating. These diseases are often accompanied by a herpes virus infection (“fever” on the lips). In some pregnant women, influenza and ARVI are accompanied by abdominal pain and stool disorders (diarrhea). In the observation department of the maternity hospital, the pregnant woman is given appropriate treatment (usually symptomatic - reducing general intoxication, antipyretic therapy at temperatures above 39°C, restorative therapy with the use of vitamins, drugs that boost immunity). The duties of the medical staff include maintaining a temperature sheet and measuring blood pressure (several times a day). Considering that at high temperatures and general intoxication of a woman’s body, some complications for the fetus may develop (for example, intrauterine hypoxia), appropriate therapy is carried out. If a pregnant woman was admitted to an obstetric hospital before giving birth, then this management tactic in the observation department helps prepare the woman’s body for childbirth and prevent possible complications. If a pregnant woman with ARVI or influenza in the acute stage is admitted to the maternity hospital with contractions, then the birth is carried out through the natural birth canal (if there is no acute obstetric pathology, for example, placental abruption, placenta previa, functional discrepancy between the fetal head and the mother’s pelvis, etc.) .

The influence of the disease on the birth process

High temperature during childbirth, as a rule, does not affect the course of the normal labor process. The complications that arise (weakness of labor, rapid labor, etc.) are not caused by acute influenza or ARVI, but by the pathology of the pregnancy and the presence of risk factors for the development of these complications. During childbirth, a woman expends a huge amount of energy. And even if childbirth began against a background of high temperature, then after it, taking into account the body’s energy consumption, the body temperature drops to normal and even slightly reduced numbers. They try to conduct childbirth with influenza and ARVI against the background of intoxication using anesthesia. This allows the woman in labor not to waste energy during contractions and to push fully in the second stage of labor. After childbirth, a woman with manifestations of ARVI and influenza is given (or continues to be given) treatment, which will now be aimed at preventing postpartum complications (such as endometritis, suppuration of perineal sutures, if they were placed, etc.). With a normal, uncomplicated course of the postpartum period, after recovery, mother and baby are discharged home.

Prevention

Unfortunately, there is no specific prevention of influenza and ARVI during pregnancy. Flu vaccinations are not given to pregnant women: their effect on pregnancy and the fetus has not been studied. During epidemics of influenza and ARVI, a pregnant woman should reduce visits to public places (public transport, cinema, theaters, concerts) to a minimum, take multivitamins (especially those containing vitamin C) and spend more time in the fresh air.

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Hormonal runny nose: causes

There are processes that are identical to the symptoms of a cold, but they are in no way related to ARVI. Inflammation of the nasal mucosa is influenced by hormones. This symptom appears in the 2nd trimester and continues until childbirth. The mother's body fills with fluid, causing the tissues to become swollen.

Hormonal runny nose before childbirth does not differ in any special features. It depends on physiological processes and occurs as a result of the influence of such causative factors:

Incorrect anatomical structure of the nasopharynx.
Weakening the body's defenses.
Taking hormonal drugs.
The development of diseases that lead to disruption of steroid substances.
Poor living conditions.

During pregnancy, a woman's hormonal background changes. This is the main reason for a runny nose.

Why is a cold before childbirth dangerous?

Everyone knows that expectant mothers should not get sick, as this can negatively affect the well-being and development of the unborn baby. The shorter the pregnancy, the more dangerous any diseases. When organs are being laid, it is especially important to avoid illness and fever. And in recent months, when the baby is almost fully formed, it is much more difficult to harm him.

Long-term studies have shown that immediately before childbirth, women get sick much less often than at any other time. This is due to the fact that during this period a lot of leukocytes and other protective cells appear in the blood of the expectant mother. They prepare a woman for childbirth, when the risk of infection will be very high due to the opening of the uterus and injury to the birth canal.

If you do catch a cold just before giving birth, there is no need to panic. In most cases, the disease is mild and does not cause any harm to the mother and baby.

There is often information on the Internet that supposedly a cold during this period can cause serious complications:

Placental abruption;
Weakness of pushing;
Intrauterine infection of the fetus.

All this is very unlikely if we are talking about a common cold. The main thing is to see a doctor in time and prevent complications.

Most medications are contraindicated during pregnancy. Therefore, if you feel the first signs of a cold, you should immediately consult a doctor to find a safe and effective treatment:

The high temperature must be brought down. It is advisable to do this using physical methods - drinking plenty of fluids and fresh air. If necessary, the doctor may recommend an antipyretic. Paracetamol is considered the safest drug.
It is advisable to combat a runny nose by actively rinsing with saline or special drops based on sea salt. If necessary, you can use approved vasoconstrictor drops. But it must be remembered that some of them can cause an increase in pressure and a deterioration in placental blood flow.
For coughs, you can take expectorants based on guaifenesin and bromhexine. But it is better to avoid herbal medicines, for example, the popular mucaltin, since most of them have an abortifacient effect. Also, if absolutely necessary and under the supervision of a doctor, you can take antitussive drugs based on dextromethorphan. According to the instructions, they are contraindicated in the first trimester, but clinical studies have not revealed a negative effect on pregnancy, especially at the very end.
Swallowing lozenges and gargling, for example, with chamomile decoction will help relieve a sore throat. The effectiveness of local antiseptics in this situation is low, and painkillers are contraindicated in the last trimester.

In case of a severe cold, a woman can be hospitalized in advance in the observation department of the maternity hospital for treatment. She will give birth there too. This department has all the conditions for treating mothers and newborns if they also become infected.

How to identify a hormonal runny nose

The main criterion for “rhinitis of pregnancy” is congestion. At the same time, a woman does not always have nasal discharge. Itching and excessive dryness in the nasopharynx are also disturbing. When the first symptoms of the disease appear, it is necessary to determine what exactly led to their appearance.

There are the following symptoms of hormonal rhinitis:

Swelling.
Congestion.
Itching and dryness.
Formation of dry crusts.
Nocturnal snoring.
Sneeze.
Prostration.

Main distinctive features:

A runny nose during pregnancy is not accompanied by fever.
A cold goes away in seven days, unlike hormonal manifestations.
With a viral infection, profuse nasal discharge is observed.

In order to establish the true cause of the indignation, it is important to contact a specialist.

What unpleasant consequences may arise

The consequences of a runny nose before childbirth are quite serious, so every woman should know about them in order to protect herself:

Difficulty breathing is manifested by a lack of oxygen. This can lead to hypoxia.
The risk of developing colds increases.
The woman in labor will be placed in a separate room for the duration of treatment.
If infection is present, respiratory complications may occur.

Rhinitis can have serious consequences for the fetus. It is important to undergo therapy to avoid complications such as sinusitis and other diseases. The doctor will prescribe special hormonal drops and everything will go away.

Childbirth with infectious diseases

During illness, all the body’s forces are aimed at fighting the infection; also, general weakness, headache and other symptoms that accompany influenza or ARVI lead to a more rapid depletion of a woman’s strength during childbirth. Therefore, during the process of childbirth, doctors more closely monitor the development of labor: intensification of contractions and dilation of the cervix; they prevent weakness of labor, and, if it occurs, provide appropriate treatment. Since pain intensifies with increasing intensity of contractions, labor anesthesia is administered to avoid premature fatigue of a weakened woman in labor.

If the symptoms of influenza or ARVI change during childbirth, symptomatic treatment is carried out to alleviate the condition of the mother in labor: the use of drops or sprays for the runny nose, medications that relieve sore throat and cough, etc.

If a sick woman in labor enters the maternity hospital with contractions, the birth is carried out naturally. Infection is not an indication for cesarean section.

How to get rid of hormonal runny nose

To eliminate “rhinitis during pregnancy”, the following measures must be taken:

You need to sleep on a slightly raised pillow.
It is necessary to rinse your nose with mineral water. This will help clear it, relieve swelling and clear the airways.
It is also useful to rinse the nasopharynx with calendula or sage.
It is important to increase the humidity of the home.
Doctors advise using aromatic oils.
Drink more water.

In some cases, hormonal agents for nasal instillation and corticosteroids may be recommended. They are widely used in the treatment of runny nose of allergic origin, are considered safe, and are not addictive. It is important to calculate the correct dose, so it is better to use the drug in the form of a spray.

Hospitalization of women in labor with signs of an infectious disease

Upon admission to the maternity hospital, an expectant mother with signs of an infectious disease will be sent to the observation department after examination. It is also called the second obstetric.

This department houses women in labor without an exchange card or who did not visit an obstetrician-gynecologist during pregnancy, infected with hepatitis B or C viruses, as well as expectant mothers with other infectious diseases, in particular acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, which pose a potential threat to pregnant women whose health status no doubt. The second obstetric department also hospitalizes pregnant women and those who have already given birth, who can be sources of any infectious diseases, as well as patients with postpartum purulent-septic complications, for example, postpartum endometritis, fever after childbirth, etc.

Most often, colds “attack” in the off-season: spring and autumn. During this period, when in contact with potential carriers of influenza and ARVI viruses, pregnant women must wear a disposable mask, lubricate their nasal passages with oxolinic ointment twice a day, and after returning from the street, rinse their nose, eyes and wash their hands with running water.

Runny nose and colds: what they mean

When nasal congestion occurs before childbirth, any woman will begin to worry greatly. It is strictly forbidden to get sick during such a crucial period of life, because this can negatively affect the fetus.

Just before the baby is born, colds rarely occur. The thing is that during this period a huge number of protective cells are formed in a woman’s body. They are needed to prevent infection during labor.

But even if you have a runny nose before the birth of your baby, you don’t need to worry too much about it. As a rule, the disease does not last long and is not able to affect the female body in any way.

There is a lot of data on the Internet that a cold at this moment can provoke a huge number of severe complications, namely:

Early birth.
Weak attempts.
Infection of a child, etc.

All these are inventions of uneducated people who are far from medicine, unless of course it concerns a simple cold. The most important thing is to visit a specialist in a timely manner and avoid the development of serious consequences.

Prevention of swelling during pregnancy

The causes of edema before childbirth can be physiological. The load on the body increases, so that excess fluid begins to accumulate in the tissues. 80% of expectant mothers experience this unpleasant symptom, but in some cases, edema can be avoided. Prevention includes regular physical activity (as much as possible), normalization of diet, optimal work and rest schedule, avoiding salt and drinking enough fluids. It is also necessary to regularly take tests and monitor your general condition so that in case of pathology you can seek medical help in time.

Ways to combat hormonal runny nose

Everyone knows that taking pharmaceutical drugs during the wonderful period is very limited. When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately ask your doctor for advice on how to quickly cure a runny nose before childbirth, and not engage in amateur activities. It is important to develop an effective strategy:

Strong fever should be eliminated by drinking. The leading doctor can prescribe an antipyretic drug; one of the most gentle and effective is the drug paracetamol.
It is important to wash with saline solution and drops of sea water. It is better not to take vasoconstrictor drops, as they can negatively affect placental blood flow.
If you have a cough, you need to take expectorants. You should be very scrupulous when selecting herbal preparations, because many of them can cause an abortifacient effect.
You can get rid of soreness and inflammation of the throat with the help of special lozenges. It is recommended to rinse with chamomile infusion.

Do not take any immunomodulatory drugs or antiallergic drugs. Foot baths are also prohibited. Mustard applications and rubbing are contraindicated.

If a woman has a serious condition caused by a cold, she can be urgently hospitalized and placed for therapy in a special room in the maternity hospital. Many people ask whether they will admit you to the maternity hospital with a runny nose before giving birth? Definitely yes. The patient will give birth in the same department: everything for treatment and first aid to the child in case of infection is available there.

Nasal congestion during pregnancy: how to treat it so as not to harm the baby

Nasal congestion during pregnancy is a fairly common occurrence. Many expectant mothers complain of incessant sniffling and swollen nose. That is why pregnant women often ask: why does this condition occur and how to treat nasal congestion during pregnancy so as not to harm the baby?

As with any other symptoms, it is initially necessary to determine the cause of nasal congestion . and only then select adequate treatment taking into account the patient’s interesting situation.

Causes of nasal congestion in pregnant women

Nasal congestion in pregnant women, like in all other people, can be caused by a cold or infection - viral or microbial. A weakened immune system also contributes to this. Therefore, rhinitis and various types of sinusitis occur in expectant mothers quite often.

Depending on the pathogen that has entered the body, severe nasal congestion may be accompanied by:

mucous or purulent discharge of different colors; high body temperature; sore throat; wet cough; feeling overwhelmed.

If a pregnant woman experiences dry nasal congestion, then the possible primary source of the disease is an allergic reaction. As a result of changes in immune status, such a symptom can occur even in those who did not experience allergic rhinitis before pregnancy. In this case, breathing problems are sometimes accompanied by itching of the facial skin, dry cough, repeated sneezing, and lacrimation.

In addition, in pregnant women, nasal congestion may have causes that are typical only for pregnant women. During this period, their body is affected by a huge amount of sex hormones: progesterone and estrogens. Their excess causes swelling of the skin and a noticeable enlargement of the nose. As a rule, in this case, nasal congestion without snot is observed.

According to the mechanism of occurrence, rhinitis in pregnant women is vasomotor: an excess amount of water accumulates in the intercellular spaces of the nasal mucosa, which is why swelling occurs.

But, as a rule, nasal congestion does not always accompany pregnancy. In most cases, such sensations are observed in the second half of the term or before childbirth. However, this condition brings a lot of inconvenience: lack of normal breathing can cause sleep disturbances, loss of appetite and worsening mood. And this can affect the fetus, so it is still necessary to take measures to eliminate nasal congestion.

Treatment of nasal congestion in pregnant women

If nasal congestion does not go away within two to three days, this is already a cause for concern. It is necessary to contact a physician or ENT specialist to determine the source of the symptom. If the cause is an infection, the treatment will be complex, consisting of the following measures:

taking antibacterial or antiviral agents selected by the doctor taking into account the patient’s situation; drinking fluids frequently to reduce dehydration; irrigation of the nasal mucosa, it is better to use ready-made saline solutions.

The doctor can also prescribe procedures in the manipulation room. Cold ultrasonic inhalations are most often used, using decoctions of medicinal plants, antiviral agents, and soda solution.

It must be remembered that nasal congestion during pregnancy cannot be treated with physiotherapeutic procedures . Expectant mothers are contraindicated from various types of radiation and thermal effects, including soaring their feet.

If the doctor has confirmed the allergic nature of the problems with difficulty breathing, then the first stage of treatment will be to identify the irritant. Moreover, in this case, it is necessary to eliminate not only the main symptom - nasal congestion: sneezing and dry cough also require elimination. To ease breathing, use saline solutions, local massage, and rinsing the nasal passages.

Antihistamines - tablets, syrups, nasal drops - are prescribed with extreme caution. Most of them are contraindicated during pregnancy, as they can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

Rhinitis in pregnant women - is treatment required?

When pregnant women have nasal congestion that does not go away for a long period, we can talk not only about an infectious disease - it could be rhinitis during pregnancy. Under such circumstances, specific treatment is not required, since a week after birth, nasal breathing is restored on its own.

However, expectant mothers are still trying to understand how to treat nasal congestion during pregnancy in this case. It turns out that everything is quite simple. The best option is to instill a saline solution into the nasal passages or irrigate them with a moisturizing spray. Moreover, such funds can be used in unlimited quantities.

Moreover, even when frequent nasal congestion occurs, you should not use nasal drops or sprays containing vasoconstrictor components. Their use is possible only in case of urgent need: vasoconstrictor drugs can be used occasionally (mainly at night) and in minimal dosages.

Getting rid of nasal congestion at home

Many experts say that nasal congestion is a sign of pregnancy. Moreover, sometimes this symptom makes itself felt throughout the entire period of bearing the baby. To reduce the frequency of its occurrence, you should follow a few simple rules:

keep the air humidity in the apartment at the proper level; Avoid contact with allergens - smoke, household chemicals, perfumes.

In addition, to relieve nasal congestion, it is recommended to perform the following exercises:

acupressure: press in a circular motion on the bridge of the nose, then move your fingers to the wings of the nose, then massage the area between the lips and nose (a kind of depression) - repeat two to three times a day; breathing exercises: we pinch the right nasal passage with our finger, inhale and exhale through the left, then move the finger to the opposite side and perform the exercise by analogy. Duration -3-5 minutes, repeat twice a day.

In any case, it is not advisable to ignore nasal congestion before childbirth, as well as throughout pregnancy. Lack of normal breathing in the mother can negatively affect the baby: lack of oxygen leads to slower development. Therefore, pay attention to even minor symptoms and do not delay visiting a doctor.

Unconventional methods

Such treatment methods can only be used with the permission of a doctor:

Finely grate the onion and pour boiling water over it, mix with honey. Such drops can relieve dryness and inflammation.
To soften the tissues of the nasopharynx, healers advise instilling sea buckthorn oil into the nose.
Garlic cloves are finely chopped and filled with oil. The mixture is placed in a water bath, carefully decanted and instilled.

When crusts appear in the nasopharynx, it is important to clear the nasal passages. A similar problem often occurs with hormonal rhinitis. To get rid of crusts, you should soften them. For this purpose, you need to do the following manipulations:

Use salt water for rinsing.
Lubricate the skin with oil.
Then, after a few minutes, the crusts can be removed.

A cold during pregnancy is not a reason to be treated with folk remedies. It is important to establish an accurate diagnosis, which is only possible with the help of a certified specialist.

Conditions of stay in the observation department of the maternity hospital

Together or separately?

The issue of mother and baby staying together in the observation department after childbirth depends on the internal order of the maternity hospital. If the woman’s health condition is stable, the child is with her in the postpartum ward, and to prevent the baby from infecting the baby with influenza or ARVI, the woman is recommended to wear a disposable mask, which is changed every 2-3 hours, wash her hands before feeding the baby, etc. If there is a possibility of transmission If the infection is very high for the baby, the pediatrician may recommend that the newborn baby be kept in the children's department - this is the so-called separate stay of mother and baby after childbirth.

Breastfeeding: yes or no?

The issue of breastfeeding is decided individually for each woman in labor by a pediatrician and obstetrician-gynecologist. If there are no contraindications due to the health of the mother and baby, feeding the child begins from the first day after birth. When natural feeding is temporarily impossible, in order to maintain the production of breast milk, a woman who has given birth is recommended to express in the baby feeding mode, that is, on average once every 3 hours, after which the expressed milk is fed to the newborn. After the mother recovers, the baby can be breastfed again. If the postpartum period is uncomplicated, after recovery, mother and baby are discharged from the maternity hospital.

Expert:

Irina Isaeva, obstetrician-gynecologist
The material used photographs belonging to shutterstock.com
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Giving birth soon: how to understand it

A woman who is in an interesting position always listens carefully to her own body. It is important to prepare mentally and physically for the upcoming date.

The most common factors signaling labor are as follows:

Increased vaginal discharge. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the lower part was disconnected from the walls of the reproductive organ.
The temperature may rise, which is normal.
Some patients may experience nausea. There may also be vomiting.
Primiparas are often interested in how long it takes for contractions to appear. They appear spontaneously, then disappear, and are not accompanied by pain.
A few days before the baby is born, bowel dysfunction may occur.
A woman complains of discomfort in the lower back and abdomen. This is due to the strong stretching of the tissues.
If we talk specifically about cold symptoms, a runny nose and other manifestations, then they signal the onset of labor extremely rarely.

To avoid being bothered by a runny nose, you need to walk in the fresh air, get positive emotions from life, and prevent colds.
Signals of the onset of labor in multiparous women are:

Losing weight. As a rule, women do not gain weight in 30 days; they often lose weight. This way the body simplifies the future difficult task of having a baby.
Mood swings. Before the onset of labor, a woman experiences pronounced changes in her mood, alternating between severe exhaustion and gigantic vigor.
The child goes down, which is visually striking.
Pain and discomfort in the lumbar region. The pelvis of the expectant mother is prepared for the upcoming birth.
Systematic feeling of the need to go to the toilet in a small way.

There are a lot of signs of childbirth, many of which women are simply unable to pay attention to. There is a huge amount of additional hassle associated with replenishment, so it is impossible to notice every little thing. If obvious signs appear, the woman should pack her things and go to the maternity hospital.

ARVI and flu before childbirth

In the observation department of the maternity hospital, the pregnant woman is given appropriate treatment (usually symptomatic - reducing general intoxication, antipyretic therapy at temperatures above 39°C, restorative therapy with the use of vitamins, drugs that boost immunity). The duties of the medical staff include maintaining a temperature sheet and measuring blood pressure (several times a day). Considering that at high temperatures and general intoxication of a woman’s body, some complications for the fetus may develop (for example, intrauterine hypoxia), appropriate therapy is carried out.

If a pregnant woman was admitted to an obstetric hospital before giving birth, then this management tactic in the observation department helps prepare the woman’s body for childbirth and prevent possible complications.

If a pregnant woman with ARVI or influenza in the acute stage is admitted to the maternity hospital with contractions, then the birth is carried out through the natural birth canal (if there is no acute obstetric pathology, for example, placental abruption, placenta previa, functional discrepancy between the fetal head and the mother’s pelvis, etc.) .

There are no birth harbingers: what to do

If you have no warning signs of labor for a long time, then there is no need to be upset. Each person's body is a unique system that functions in its own way. You should not compare your symptoms with those of your friends.

Moreover, doctors generally do not rely on the precursors of labor when treating patients. Labor can occur spontaneously and at any time, starting from the 37th week.

The absence of these signals does not mean that you are post-term. There is no need to stress yourself out and think that childbirth will be more difficult than for others.

How to avoid colds before giving birth

The easiest way to avoid colds is to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, dress for the season and try not to get into dangerous situations. Of course, this does not mean that the expectant mother should sit at home and be afraid of every breeze. It is very important to walk a lot in the fresh air, while avoiding crowds of people, especially during seasonal epidemics of ARVI. It is also advisable to get a flu vaccine before pregnancy. And, if you couldn’t avoid the disease, don’t panic - negative emotions can cause more harm to a child than a mild cold. Be positive and look forward to meeting your baby.

What awaits a woman who falls ill on the eve of the birth of her baby? Will this affect the process of childbirth and the health of the child?

During pregnancy and, in particular, before childbirth, the female body is less resistant to infections. Therefore, during an outbreak of viral diseases, the expectant mother is at risk of getting sick. The best thing to do on the eve of the baby’s birth is to limit communication with potential carriers of the infection and strengthen the immune system with natural and healthy products. But if the virus still turns out to be stronger, the expectant mother will have to give birth in slightly different conditions than she planned before the illness.

Childbirth has begun: main signs

The female body is preparing for the birth of a baby when certain changes occur. The onset of labor is determined by each woman according to the following criteria:

Regularity of contractions. When a woman experiences constant contractions, the patient acquires the status of a woman in labor. Those who have already given birth know how to cope with pain. The most important thing here is to breathe correctly.
Removal of the plug. This can happen at any time - a few days or hours before the baby is born.
The breaking of water indicates that a new life will be born very soon.

For multiparous women, giving birth is usually not so scary. They are mentally more prepared, because they already know all the nuances. You should not be afraid of the harbingers of labor, whether you are giving birth for the first time or not. The most important thing is to know how to act correctly when a runny nose of unknown origin appears. And the right decision would be to contact your leading gynecologist.

Swelling before childbirth and other harbingers

Shortly before giving birth, a woman may notice a change in her health. The approaching date of the baby's birth is indicated by a cessation of weight gain or even a loss of several kilograms (usually a woman loses about 2-3 kg), drooping of the abdomen, a decrease in the child's activity, and the appearance of training contractions. Often before childbirth, swelling subsides because the body independently gets rid of excess fluid. But this is not an exact sign, because everything is individual for each woman.