Most pregnant women will have at least one URI while pregnant.

While not dangerous for most women, they can be fairly annoying.

Left alone, they will generally resolve within the same amount of time as if the woman were not pregnant. During this time, relief of symptoms is the best you can do for her.

Medications are to be avoided, but the following medications may be used to good advantage if necessary:

• Acetaminophen – This will effectively relieve muscle aches and fever. It is considered safe during pregnancy. (Category B drug, the same as prenatal vitamins.)
• Guaifenesin – This expectorant is considered safe during pregnancy. The addition of codeine (safe) will result in significant suppression of cough.
• Pseudoephedrine – This sympathomimetic is a very effective decongestant. It’s use during the 1st trimester is sometimes restricted because of indirect data suggesting a slight increased risk of fetal malformations. Late in the third trimester, its’ use is again restricted because of its’ somewhat unpredictable cardiovascular effects.
• Triprolidine – An effective antihistamine, it is considered safe during pregnancy.

Antibiotics may be needed for those URI’s complicated by bacterial sinusitis or bronchitis. In that case, the following are considered safe:

• Penicillins
• Cephalosporins
• Macrolides