Sinus infection - scared of going through labour! :(

[Moolia]

Hi ladies,

Anyone suffered a sinus infection during pregnancy and any tips to get rid of it?
I'm suffering the awful sinus headache and today it has got even worse and I can't bend forward without an awful pain in my face I'm 38+3 today and I know sinus infections can go on for weeks so I'm really worried about the thought of going through labour with a blocked nose and in so much pain.
I haven't seen the dr yet because I'm assuming they will just give antibiotics and I know these aren't always necessary and I obviously don't want to take anything unnecessarily whilst pregnant!
Please help!

 

[caitlenc]

I would urge you to get on antibiotics! They are the only thing that helped with my sinus infection, and I was soooo miserable! They are perfectly safe at this stage of pregnancy, and you really don't want to be this sick during labor. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!

 

[patch2006uk]

Antibiotics will only work if its bacterial. I've had a few sinus infections and never taken antibiotics to get rid of them.

So sorry you're suffering from one at 38 weeks. That's really bad timing! I think all you can do is try and relieve the symptoms to stay comfortable-steamy room to help move the gunk out, raised pillows, etc. hopefully you'll clear it before you labour-totally understand not wanting one while trying to have a baby!!

Healing vibes

 

[mamaduke]

With DS1, I had 2 sinus infections that I couldn't shake naturally and ended up taking erithomycin (antibiotic deemed safe in pregnancy) to knock them out.

With this pregnancy, I've been able to shake most of my sinus infections on their own. I end up using a neti pot or a saline solution to help flush the junk from my upper sinuses. If I feel chest congestion, I drink a lot of fluids, especially hot water and honey, as the honey will help bring up the mucus without heavy coughs. Sitting in a steamy room also helps with the congestion. And sleeping with a humidifier or a vaporizer also helps.

Check with your doctor or midwife, though, as you don't want to your sinus infection to turn into something worse (drop into a respiratory infection, for example). The medical professional would be better for advising if you can push through it without antibiotics, especially after assessing you in person.

 

[sun]

I had my first ever sinus infection before christmas and after 2.5 weeks of trying natural remedies I went on antibiotics. I so wish I had done it sooner - by 2-3 days I could partially breathe again and my face/tooth/ear pain and headache were gone! It was a miracle omg.

I tried using saline spray and neti-pots, but my nose was completely blocked for a week. I would try them 3-4x a day, but my nasal passaged were swollen shut. OMG It sucked.

 

[Moolia]

Thanks everyone! I will make an appointment with my GP tomorrow. I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself! I had a bad cold which started the infection and I had a feeling I'd get one as I didn't have a runny nose, just completely blocked and couldn't breathe. I still can't properly hear and at night I'm totally blocked but nothing is coming out when I blow my nose.
It just seems to be getting worse though so maybe antibiotics is the answer...

 

[Mommy2be20]

Hi hun, I had a head cold the last week of my pregnancy, I was terrified of giving birth. I drank teas with honey, took vitamin c and drank lots of water. Regular Tylenol is ok too. I was still really congested when I gave birth but I didn't even notice and afterwards, it seemed like I'd magically cleared up. Rest as much as you can and try not to worry

 

[patch2006uk]

I had my first ever sinus infection before christmas and after 2.5 weeks of trying natural remedies I went on antibiotics. I so wish I had done it sooner - by 2-3 days I could partially breathe again and my face/tooth/ear pain and headache were gone! It was a miracle omg.

I tried using saline spray and neti-pots, but my nose was completely blocked for a week. I would try them 3-4x a day, but my nasal passaged were swollen shut. OMG It sucked.

Might have been a coincidence. Sinus infections tend to last 2-3 weeks, so it figures that by the third week you were starting to recover. I said with my first one that if it hasn't started to go by 3 days later, I'd get antibiotics. It started to go and I felt loads better 3 days later. If I'd have gone to the doctors instead of deciding to wait, i'd have credited anything I was given!

A swab could tell you if it's viral or bacterial, but I'm not sure how routinely they're offered or how long the result would take. Antibiotics aren't fun-you don't want to trigger thrush before giving birth, either!

 

[Moolia]

Well my cold started 18 days ago and symptoms are just getting worse now. I actually went to day assessment 2 days ago because I was feeling light headed, tired and nauseous. The midwives did blood tests for anaemia etc and monitored blood pressure etc and ended up saying they thought some sort of virus most likely. Today the headache has got worse and the pain when bending down is unbearable. I would have thought that if it's getting worse I probably do need the antibiotics? But maybe not...

 

[caitlenc]

Let the doctor advise you. I truly believe the antibiotics helped me, and I had exactly what you described. Hugs to you, I hope you can get it sorted.

 

[patch2006uk]

Quick check of the NHS website says

"When to see your GP

See your GP if your symptoms don't improve after seven days, if they're getting worse, or if your sinusitis keeps coming back.

If you have severe or chronic (persistent) sinusitis, your treatment options will include:

antibiotics
steroid sprays or drops
surgery (if all other treatments have failed)

Your GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, who will carry out some tests to find the underlying cause of your sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis may last for several months.

Antihistamines may be recommended in cases where sinusitis is associated with an allergy.
Antibiotics

Your GP may prescribe a course of antibiotics if your symptoms of sinusitis are severe and they haven't improved after seven days.

About a third of people with sinusitis will develop a bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment."
https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sinusitis/Pages/Treatment.aspx

The 7 days would be from the start of sinus problems, not your cold, so maybe give it another few days and see how you go (although I've never got over sinus infections in a week - always closer to 3 by the time I've stopped making the neon green gunk and no pressure left when bending)