I never knew having a cold could be so miserable.
Sure, you get tired and the runny nose is very annoying, but after a few days and a cocktail of medications, you're generally back on your feet and ready to take on the world.
Not so much when you're pregnant, apparently.
Since I couldn't take any medications, I was laid up in bed for a good week just wishing someone would punch me to knock me unconscious. I had pain radiating from my sinuses and my ears all the way down my throat, and I was completely unable to breathe through my stuffy nose. Not a good thing when you hate breathing through your mouth (and find it completely impossible to do so in order to sleep).
I'll spare you the gory details, but trust me: I was a pathetic mess.
It seems unfair that pregnancy makes you more susceptible to illness but then prevents you from partaking in modern medicine to make it tolerable. So my plan for the next six months is to live in a bubble. Just kidding. I do, however, plan to use lots of hand sanitizer and stay far, far away from anyone I know to have a runny nose or a tickle in their throat. Which I suppose is a good rule of thumb anyway, but now it seems imperative.
And it seems fitting that I would get what is now a going-on-11-day-cold just as I was getting over that whole morning (noon and night) sickness, so I have yet to experience the wonderful second trimester bliss of energy and general feel-goodness that has been promised to me.
I can sense its coming, though. As soon as I go blow my nose.
I hated being sick when pregnant. It can be so miserable. At least you know your baby will get the antibodies to that illness!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried steaming your face? Boil a small pot of water, put your face over it, cover your head with a towel and sit there until you can't breathe. The steam loosens mucus in your sinuses. I've done it many times, it helps some.
Jeane, that's a great idea. I'll have to try it. Thanks!
ReplyDelete