39 weeks pregnant & have TERRIBLE flu symptoms! ~ IS THIS PRE-LABOR? Please HELP!?

Question

I'm 39 wks pregnant - my due date is next Thursday and for the past 3 days, I've been sick with flu symptoms! I have runny/stuffy nose, headaches, a cough that WON'T stop for even 10 minutes, sore throat, both ears ache ~ its making me miserable and I haven't been able to sleep in 3 days!!

I've read somewhere that its possible that this is a pre-labor sign, but I haven't really had anyone else back that up. So.. has anyone been through this or know anyone who has??

My doctor tells me to take a Tylenol and try to cope with it, but Tylenol isn't working! I keep thinking about going into labor within a week or so now (any day!) and that scares me... but it scares me even more to think I'll be feeling the flu AND labor pains at the same time!!! I need to get over this ASAP!

Pleaseee someone tell me that you've been in this situation and somehow got over it BEFORE your baby was born! This is so terribly annoying and making me want to cry.. but there's nothing I can do to stop it?

Answer 1

i dont think that those cold symptoms are pre labor symptoms, i do know that u cant take a lot of stuff because of ur pregnancy but i know there are some at home stuff u can do to help you.  for the runny nose, u can try vicks vapor rub,u dont even have to put it on u, u can just smell it. for the sorethroat id say just drink some hot lemon water. for the ear aches take two socks fill them with dry rice and stick them in the microwave. and put them on ur ears. that should help a ton, I hope you go into labor soon so they can give you something to help you. Good luck!!!

ps: you can also stand over a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam to help your stuffed nose. plus it will help open ur pours so its like a mini facial ;)

Answer 2

the increased estrogen levels can cause eustachian tube (middle ear to pharynx) vascularization, nasal edema and congestion of the nasal mucosa. All this will cause irritation, the cough, inner ear fullness, pressure, pain and the symptoms you describe.

Not sure what they told you about this whole giving birth thing..but PTL would exhibit signs and symptoms on the other end...like contractions, rupture of membranes, etc ....

Bottom line, they won't give you anything for this, as most drugs cross the placenta. Its almost over. The best part about giving birth is that many of these pregnancy related problems, go away almost instantly or within a few days/weeks.

Your Doctor knows what he is talking about. Trust me, if this was anything serious, he would act.

The hormones in your body are working overtime in preparation of birth. Thats why things are going a little haywire...The good news is, one of the major effects of all this is the expulsion of a baby. Who will then grow up and tell you to go to h**l at age 16...LOL

There really isn't much you can do and considering the many other things that can occur with prenancy (eclampsia, diabetes, placenta previa/abruptio, etc) this is relatively minor and benign.

Good luck and have a wonderful child birth experience.

Answer 3

when ur that close to ur due date, evry twinge is pre labpr. well at least for me it was! i got soo bad that when it was labor, i thought i was imagining it again!! ive never heard of flu like symptoms before, but it could be?

good luck and conratulations! enjoy it because it flies past! my little boy is 2 months old now and i cant believe it!!