It is bad enough having a cold when you're not pregnant. Being pregnant and sick is an an absolutely awful feeling. The most important thing you can do for yourself while you are pregnant is to keep from getting sick. How do you do this? Quite simply, eat well, get enough sleep, and do not overwork yourself. Prevention is the key.

But most importantly, stay away from people who are sick!

After all the precautions you take, you may still come down with a cold. It is importnat to understand that this will not harm your baby, but it will surely make you feel under the weather. If you feel sick, call your doctor. There are several things you can do for yourself if you do get ill.

A the first sign of a cold, go to bed and rest!
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid getting dehydrated.
Chicken soup is really good for you!
Have a humidifier going in your room.
Keep your head elevated while lying down. This can help relieve post-nasal drip.
You must still eat well balanced meals.
If you develop a fever, call your doctor.
Also, before taking any medication, consult your physician.

A cold is usually self-limiting, and after a few days, you will be back to your normal self.

Peter Weiss, M.D. is Beverly Hills-based obstetrician/gynecologist and leading advocate for mothers-to-be. Weiss is a member of the Royal Society of Medicine and is an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics at the UCLA School of Medicine. His writings have appeared in numerous parenting publications nationwide.e even worse if you're carrying a child.