The short answerA routine common cold is rarely dangerous to you or your baby. Most pregnancies sail through an ordinary viral cold without any complications. Focus on comfort measures, keep an eye on a few warning signs, and call your midwife or doctor if anything feels off. www.medicalnewstoday.com
What’s usually safe
| Symptom | First-line non-drug relief | OTC options most obstetric providers consider acceptable¹ |
|---|---|---|
| Fever / aches | Rest, cool fluids, light layers | Acetaminophen (paracetamol) ≤ 3–4 g/day for the shortest time needed infantrisk.com |
| Stuffy nose | Saline spray/rinse, humidifier | Pseudoephedrine (regular Sudafed) after the 1st trimester if you don’t have high blood pressure; avoid phenylephrine utswmed.orgwww.parents.com |
| Runny nose / sneezing | Steam inhalation | 1st-gen antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine www.goodrx.com |
| Dry cough | Honey, warm fluids, salt-water gargle | Dextromethorphan (plain DM) for bothersome cough www.goodrx.com |
¹Always confirm with your own clinician before taking any medicine in pregnancy.
Medications and remedies to avoid unless your prescriber says otherwise
- Ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, or other NSAIDs (especially after 20 weeks).
- Multi-symptom “night-time” or “max-strength” cold formulas—too many mixed drugs.
- Phenylephrine in the 1st trimester and herbal supplements that lack safety data. www.parents.com
When to call your healthcare provider
- Fever ≥ 38.9 °C (102 °F) that lasts more than 24 h or doesn’t respond to acetaminophen.
- Shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, or coughing up colored sputum.
- Cannot keep fluids down → signs of dehydration (dark urine, dizziness).
- Contractions, vaginal bleeding, or noticeably reduced fetal movements.
- Symptoms that worsen after a week or fail to improve by ~10 days.
- You have asthma, hypertension, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. www.medicalnewstoday.com
Extra preventive steps
- Keep up usual pregnancy vaccinations—the flu shot is strongly recommended; antibodies you make also protect the baby after birth. www.cdc.gov
- Wash hands often, sleep enough, and stay hydrated; a well-humidified room eases congestion.
- If you might actually have influenza (sudden high fever, body aches), call promptly—antiviral treatment is time-sensitive in pregnancy.
Bottom line: A simple cold is almost never a threat to pregnancy, but high fever, difficulty breathing, dehydration, or any unusual pregnancy symptoms deserve a quick call to your obstetric team. When in doubt, err on the side of checking in—your provider would rather reassure you early than treat a bigger problem later.