I was in the ER last night after a three day literally 24/7 coughing fest. My muscles were in agony from coughing, including all the muscles that keep my baby in place, lol...I had thought it was allergies, as during the spring, I get allergies really bad, which then becomes a sinus infection, which then becomes an ear infection, which then becomes an Upper Respiratory Infection.
I only became concerned when the usual progression didn't occur. I went from sneezing to nasal congestion to tight lungs, non-productive cough, and when it was productive, it was frothy and sometimes a little pinkish.
Last night was the final straw. I went to the hospital with cramping from all the coughing. Turns out I have pneumonia. (Baby is fine and looking beautiful, by the way...no uterine contractions, it was just my belly protesting against all my coughing).
I talked with the doctor very thoroughly about the medications I was put on to treat my pneumonia (Zithromycin, Prednisone, and Tylenol with Codeine to relax my lungs so I could ease up on the coughing and actually get some sleep at night.) and the benefits of NOT having pneumonia far outweighed the minimal risk to my baby (I'm 13 weeks pregnant), especially if I took my medicine AS PRESCRIBED, and didn't pop the Tylenol w/Codeines like some sort of junkie, spaced out my medicine (ie, not taking each medicines' daily dose at the same time as all the others.) The Zofran I was prescribed is for nausea and is what I consider an optional drug. I don't have to take it if I feel I don't need it. An albuterol inhaler I was prescribed is for when I have a coughing attack and can't breathe...again, as needed, and only if I feel I need it.
The downsides to untreated or improperly treated pneumonia in a pregnant mother can be devastating. Most drugs are classed the way they are because there hasn't been adequate study on pregnant women (because seriously, what pregnant woman in her right mind would sign up to take part in those studies?), and if a doctor prescribes you a medication knowing that you are pregnant, it doesn't automatically mean he's absolutely wrong. If you're unsure, call your OB and explain that the doc prescribed it.
Trust me, I know a bunch of doctors whom I would trust with my life and consult on almost everything....doctors don't like prescribing anything to a pregnant woman. It kind of ups the malpractice risk if something does go wrong. Most doctors only prescribe medicines to pregnant women if they are known to be safe or the definite benefits of said drug outweigh the potential risk.
I only became concerned when the usual progression didn't occur. I went from sneezing to nasal congestion to tight lungs, non-productive cough, and when it was productive, it was frothy and sometimes a little pinkish.
Last night was the final straw. I went to the hospital with cramping from all the coughing. Turns out I have pneumonia. (Baby is fine and looking beautiful, by the way...no uterine contractions, it was just my belly protesting against all my coughing).
I talked with the doctor very thoroughly about the medications I was put on to treat my pneumonia (Zithromycin, Prednisone, and Tylenol with Codeine to relax my lungs so I could ease up on the coughing and actually get some sleep at night.) and the benefits of NOT having pneumonia far outweighed the minimal risk to my baby (I'm 13 weeks pregnant), especially if I took my medicine AS PRESCRIBED, and didn't pop the Tylenol w/Codeines like some sort of junkie, spaced out my medicine (ie, not taking each medicines' daily dose at the same time as all the others.) The Zofran I was prescribed is for nausea and is what I consider an optional drug. I don't have to take it if I feel I don't need it. An albuterol inhaler I was prescribed is for when I have a coughing attack and can't breathe...again, as needed, and only if I feel I need it.
The downsides to untreated or improperly treated pneumonia in a pregnant mother can be devastating. Most drugs are classed the way they are because there hasn't been adequate study on pregnant women (because seriously, what pregnant woman in her right mind would sign up to take part in those studies?), and if a doctor prescribes you a medication knowing that you are pregnant, it doesn't automatically mean he's absolutely wrong. If you're unsure, call your OB and explain that the doc prescribed it.
Trust me, I know a bunch of doctors whom I would trust with my life and consult on almost everything....doctors don't like prescribing anything to a pregnant woman. It kind of ups the malpractice risk if something does go wrong. Most doctors only prescribe medicines to pregnant women if they are known to be safe or the definite benefits of said drug outweigh the potential risk.
have you been coughing also...i have the same thing going on but i am 34 weeks prego. I feel aweful...do you get much sleep?
I was hospitalilized with my 1st daughter at 7 months n in hospital for a week, now I'm 35 weeks pregnant with my 3rd daughter n think I have it again not quite sure if pregnant women r proned to it or not, but scary n annoying at same time!!
oh my goodness, thank you for your post. I just found out i am pregnant. I had the flu about 3 weeks ago. As soon as i was over that i got pregnant. Now i think i have pneumonia and am scared for my baby!
oh my goodness, thank you for your post. I just found out i am pregnant. I had the flu about 3 weeks ago. As soon as i was over that i got pregnant. Now i think i have pneumonia and am scared for my baby!
22 weeks pregnant and allowed to radiograph? Ugh.
I'm 6 week pregnant I had chest tube because of fluid in my lungs but my doctor did all my test and found nothing the cause.
I am 23 weeks pregnant and going though the exact same thing as your wife and I have been tested for everything under the sun. Been given 2 X-rays and a catscan still they say it's just pneumonia. I was at the hospital for several days now I'm home and I have completed my antibiotics. But I'm still having chest pain high heart rate and trouble breathing. I'm on the nebulizer several times a day and on the inhaler as well. I just can't seem to get better. Is your wife ok, was the baby ok, did the baby have to come early, and how is e baby now?
My wife is pregnant now. Will wheezing be the danger at the delivery time?