What allergy meds can a pregnant woman take safely?

Let me be the first to say what everyone else will…she needs to talk to her doctor. Also, read all the recommendations on the OTC packages, they’re very careful about including info related to pregnancy.

Now I wanna know who!

I don’t want to spam, so I won’t give a brand name, but I use a blend of essential oils and I will tell you what’s in the blend. laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon and ravensara cleanses and soothes the airways, and can easily be applied topically to the chest, back, or bottom of feet.
PM me if you want the brand as it is one of those multi level things and not appropriate on here. I have never sold it to anyone, but I buy a ton of it.

She may also want to try some peppermint tea.

I just heard this question a few weeks ago on the NPR show, Zorba On Your Health.
I was trying to remember the date and I found it in the archives here. It is the show that aired on 3/26/11 and the question is from the very first caller on the show.

From the information my doctor gave me for while pregnant (they gave me a book with a ton of information), saline nasal spray, benadryl, and sudafed are safe (assuming she doesn’t have any other medical issues that would contraindicate those things for her). For anything else, I was told to call and ask before taking. I was told that it’s important for pregnant woman to avoid decongestants as much as possible as well. Sometimes the doctors will okay them, but it’s best to discuss that with a doctor first.

She could try crushing some fresh sage leaves and inhaling the aroma. Surprisingly, this helps clear my sinuses. I crush it right under my nose.

Sudafed is a decongestant so I’m a little surprised it was on the list. It can contribute to raising one’s blood pressure.

Benadryl has been around for ages and is considered safe even for young children.

Chlor-Trimeton is similar to Benadryl cuz it’s an antihistamine rather than a decongestant.

But again, check with an MD since everyone’s medical profile is unique to themselves and ones own Dr. is the one most familiar with that.

Neti pots are safe

@Buttonstc I was surprised about the Sudafed as well. From what my doctor’s explained to me, it comes down to a risk/benefit thing. If you are sick enough that you need the medication, then it’s work it on the short term basis so that you can be comfortable and functioning. I was actually given a prescription decongestant at one point in this pregnancy because I couldn’t breathe. Me not being able to breathe was more of a risk to the baby than what the medication posed, so the doctor’s said it was the right thing to do for the time I was sick.

There is also the sterile saline nasal sprays called Ocean, Ayre, and the house brand. You can make your own with a c. of warm water, a teaspoon of salt and a little rubber nasal syringe

(sold in the baby product section of your pharmacy).

That will not cure the allergies but help to treat nasal congestion and headache.

You can put two squirts in each nostril as needed.

@SOC

I see what you mean because decongestants function differently from antihistamines.

Do you remember which decongestant your presc. was for? I’m trying to find one which raises BP the least because apparently there aren’t any which don’t raise BP at all.

All the over counter allergy meds which specify low BP are some varient of antihistamine period.