Here's a question I've never seen asked before- has anyone ever given birth while sick with the flu or with a bad cold/cough?

I'm only 37 weeks, so chances are I'll be over this before the baby arrives, but I'm battling a horrible cold/cough/flu thing. I was wondering how this might affect my labor and delivery. Could this impact the ability to get an epidural? I'm coughing horribly, so I worry that I could dislodge it if Little2 comes early.

Anyone sick when they gave birth?

I wish I had some advice for you - but I just wanted to stop by and offer some support. Hope that you get over this SUPER quickly before your little one arrives.

What do the docs say about taking those homeopathic flu remedies? I think the main one is called "Oscilliuculium" (sorry for the mangled spelling!)

I was! Well, not the flu but a bad cough. It was miserable but once I got my pain meds and stuff, I didn't even notice the cough anymore.
Good Luck! I hope you get better soon.

I had a cold with Cameron. They let me hold a thing of vapor rub that helped open up my sinuses and chest, but that was the only "medicine" that they would allow. It didn't stop me from getting an epidural.

~Kate

I had a horrible, racking cough when I had Emily... I ended up with a c-section and I was so afraid that I would cough during the surgery! :eek: I didn't, but recovery sure was rough with that cough.

Anyway, I did have an epidural even with the cough and it was no problem.

Thanks everyone! I talked to my OB today and he confirmed that my being sick wouldn't affect getting an epidural. Whew!

The coughing fits bother me, but I'm hopeful I'll have a natural birth again this time- I couldn't imagine having to recover from a c-section with a hacking cough! That's pretty tough!