While pregnant, women experience changes in their bodies. Sensitive and emotional expectant mothers already in the first weeks of pregnancy experience toxicosis, hormonal imbalance, and sudden mood swings. The growing fetus gradually begins to put pressure on the woman’s bladder and stomach. Heartburn and frequent urge to go to the toilet become companions for a pregnant woman.
It is believed that one of the most popular remedies for combating unpleasant symptoms is baking soda. It does not contain toxins and is always at hand. However, despite the harmlessness of the treatment method, it is worth considering whether it poses a threat to the health and life of the fetus?
A folk remedy during pregnancy is used to solve problems:
- heartburn;
- thrush;
- throat diseases;
- toothache;
- when determining pregnancy.
Use for heartburn
Heartburn during pregnancy is common. A burning sensation and a sour taste in the mouth are familiar to many expectant mothers. A soda solution helps to quickly cope with the problem and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
The effect of heartburn is weakened by a folk remedy that neutralizes acid, which is the source of fire in the chest. But is it safe to use the method during pregnancy? No!
Sodium bicarbonate, accumulating in the body, causes swelling and irritates the intestinal mucosa. The traditional method should be used only in rare cases.
It is important to prepare the medicinal drink correctly: add a couple of pinches of baking soda to a glass of milk. Afterwards, the resulting product should be drunk. The folk method extinguishes heartburn instantly. However, this is only apparent relief.
Pros and cons of using baking soda for heartburn
Soda for heartburn is not the best remedy!
The use of soda has its positive and negative sides. Let's look at the advantages first:
- Soda acts very quickly. After application, only a few minutes pass, and relief comes, the attack of heartburn stops.
- Availability. Soda is cheap and can be found in any home, while the necessary medicines are not always in the medicine cabinet.
This is where the positive qualities of soda end. The disadvantages include the following points:
- Temporary effect. Once in the stomach, soda reacts with the acid of the gastric juice, breaking down into water, carbon dioxide and salt. Carbon dioxide irritates the walls of the stomach and provokes even more acid production. The result is another attack of heartburn. No more than 20 minutes pass between relief and a new attack. Therefore, it is impossible to call baking soda a universal and good remedy for heartburn. In addition, a large amount of gas causes a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, and the uterus may become toned.
- During pregnancy, soda can cause swelling. It retains fluid in the body. If a pregnant woman already has problems with the kidneys or edema, it is advisable to refrain from taking soda. Women should be especially careful in the later stages, when the likelihood of edema is greater.
- Baking soda is irritating to the intestinal walls. With a one-time use, this may not be noticeable, but with regular use of a soda solution, intestinal upset occurs. A pregnant woman already has enough problems with bowel movements, so it is better not to overuse soda.
- Soda is not a completely safe and hypoallergenic substance. It may well cause an allergic reaction.
- Constant consumption of soda may cause nausea.
Often women do not associate a repeated attack of heartburn with soda and are not aware of the inappropriateness of such a remedy. The biggest danger with soda is trying to replace other medications with it. Do not neglect your doctor's advice if he prescribes another drug.
Soda is not a popular, natural and safe remedy for heartburn, as many people think. It can be used externally, for rinsing the nose or gargling during a cold, or taking baths with soda to reduce sweating, but you should avoid taking it orally.
Modern medications for heartburn are safe for the fetus and do not have a negative effect on the stomach and intestines.
Use for thrush
The appearance of thrush is an unpleasant surprise for every expectant mother. Drug treatment is contraindicated. Baking soda comes to the rescue. You won’t be able to forget about thrush with the help of a medicinal solution, but it will relieve severe itching. This method does not pose any threat to the fetus, so it can be safely used.
For douching, prepare the mixture: 1 tsp. dissolve soda in 200 ml of warm boiled water. However, it is important to consult a doctor before use.
Salt and soda - what are their benefits for the human body
Salt (sodium chloride) is used medicinally to treat many diseases. An excellent sorbent, it removes excess fluid from the body. And along with it all foreign and harmful substances: viruses, bacteria, etc. There is a method for treating many inflammatory diseases with salt dressings.
Soda (sodium carbonate) is also actively used in folk medicine. It dries out inflamed areas of the skin and mucous membranes, and relieves swelling.
Sodium carbonate and chloride have a positive effect in the treatment of throat inflammations of various natures, including in pregnant women.
Use for throat diseases
During pregnancy, the expectant mother's immunity decreases. Therefore, there is a risk of influenza, ARVI, and colds. Most medications are prohibited. An excellent option for treating the disease is a soda solution. This method is extremely beneficial, so it can be safely used.
To prepare a medicinal solution, add 1-2 tsp to 250 ml of warm boiled water. baking soda. The resulting product can be used to rinse the mouth for sore throat, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and stomatitis.
It is important to consult a doctor before starting treatment.
Indications for the procedure
Doctors recommend the procedure for the following diseases 3,4,5.
1. Sore throat (acute tonsillitis).
Acute tonsillitis is an infectious disease accompanied by inflammation of the tonsils. In children aged 3 to 7 years, bacteria are the cause in 77% of cases3,7. In adults, most sore throats are caused by viruses4, but subsequent activation of bacterial microflora leads to the development of a bacterial inflammatory process4.
In severe cases of tonsillitis, doctors immediately prescribe antibiotics3,7; local therapy complements general therapy and helps cleanse the tonsils. In mild cases of the disease, accompanied by moderate intoxication, low fever, slight redness and swelling of the tonsils and their arches, only local therapy is sufficient3. Of course, in such cases we are not talking about gargling with a soda solution - only about antiseptics specially designed for this.
Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis, or inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, is rarely isolated4. In the vast majority of cases it develops as part of the clinical picture
nasopharyngitis, that is, in addition to rhinitis during ARVI, or tonsillopharyngitis - in combination with inflammation of the tonsils4.
Viral pharyngitis is more common than bacterial pharyngitis. In this case, inflammation caused by viruses dominates only at the very beginning of the disease. Hypothermia, drinking cold drinks, inhaling dusty and chemically contaminated air, smoking and other factors that lead to irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and decreased immunity often lead to the activation of opportunistic bacteria and the development of bacterial inflammation4. Isolated pharyngitis rarely takes a severe course, so systemic therapy is used only in exceptional cases4.
More often, doctors recommend local therapy - gargling.
Candidiasis of the oral cavity and pharynx
Yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida can be found in most people3. This microorganism belongs to the opportunistic representatives of the microflora and is activated only when immunity decreases3. The development of candidal stomatitis and pharyngomycosis is facilitated by intestinal dysbiosis and such severe general diseases as diabetes, cancer, and HIV infection. In addition, candidiasis often develops against the background of long-term use of antibiotics, as well as due to improper use of local glucocorticoids (sprays) for bronchial asthma3.
Small white “islands” appear on the mucous membrane, which increase in size and, merging, form films. Externally, the films resemble pus, but they are not removed; when they are rejected, red spots and erosions remain on the surface of the mucous membrane3. Swallowing liquids and food causes pain, which causes adults to lose their appetite, and small children to refuse to eat altogether. Along with antifungal agents, microflora-restoring prebiotics and probiotics, and immune-strengthening medications, local therapy is used3.
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Use for toothache
Often pregnant women face the problem of a toothache. The first thing you should do is make an appointment with the dentist. However, not every expectant mother has this opportunity. A folk remedy will help get rid of discomfort.
To solve the problem, you should prepare a solution: 1 tbsp. add 2 tsp warm boiled water. soda Rinse your mouth thoroughly with the resulting solution until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
To reduce the risk of toothache, it is important for a woman to carefully monitor oral hygiene. However, toothache does not harm either the expectant mother or the child, but it negatively affects the emotional state of the pregnant woman.
Sore throat in the first trimester of pregnancy
09.11.2021
Sore throat is a dangerous disease, especially for children and pregnant women in the first months. It is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. Preventive effects and strengthening the immune system are the first important steps that need to be implemented. A sore throat in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause the loss of a child, so it is necessary to take all measures that will help the body protect itself from the virus.
How to avoid a sore throat:
- do not talk to patients; in addition, it is necessary to use individual personal hygiene products
- wash your hands with an antibacterial agent
- during an attack of the population by the flu, you need to lubricate your nose , and before going to bed, gargle with herbal infusions that can be used
- take vitamin complexes and take multivitamins for a month, intended for pregnant women
- ventilate the room often
- disinfect the air in your home using aromatic eucalyptus oils
- use a humidifier when heating with artificial radiators
Consequences of sore throat in the first trimester of pregnancy
Improper treatment contributes to the rapid spread of infection throughout the body. For a woman in this position, it is dangerous because it causes the loss of a child. The impact of infection on the development of the fetus is manifested by certain complications, for example: bleeding from the uterus , oxygen starvation, infection of the placenta.
The most dangerous disease is in the first three months of pregnancy , when the main process of formation of the baby’s body takes place. After the period when all the child’s organs have formed, the infection can no longer cause gross malformations in development and cause premature birth .
How to cure a sore throat during pregnancy
Eliminating a sore throat in an expectant mother is a rather complicated process, since it eliminates the use of chemical medications. Initially, you need to contact a specialist who will help you be treated in the most gentle way. It is possible to gargle, which will help eliminate redness of the throat and unpleasant pain. Washing alone is not enough; it is necessary to carry out antibiotic therapy
If it is not possible to visit a specialist, you must do the following:
- provide bed rest
- eat foods rich in minerals and vitamins
- drink a lot of liquids - compotes, fruit drinks, juices
- lower fever without medication
- gargle with herbal infusions
During pregnancy , it is unacceptable to use Aspirin, Yox, as well as Stopangin, tinctures of calendula and propolis for rinsing. Lozenges for sore throat have no effect and are practically contraindicated for use during pregnancy .
Safe medications include:
- chamomile, which has an anti-inflammatory effect
- miramistin, which does not pass through the placenta to the baby. Gargling for sore throat can be done with this drug.
- a good treatment is tea tree oil, which helps relieve sore throat
In some cases, you can use traditional medicine, but only as directed by a specialist and with his permission. The main thing when treating a sore throat is to follow the doctor’s and be under his constant supervision.
Published in Pregnancy and pregnancy management Premium Clinic
