I'm hearing you.  It is a rotten flu going around at the moment, and us preggy ladies for the most part have to suffer it as silently as we can.

Keeping you home warm (about 22 degrees celsius) will help.  Having several bowls of water around the house will help to add humidity to the air, which should help with your breathing.  Steam up the bathroom and spend a few mins in there as that will help too.

Sleep sitting slightly upright might help too, though I'm still coughing like crazy as I sit at the computer typing this.

I would also be firing that doctor and getting a second opinion.

Hey there Michelle - hang in there!

-The neti pot suggestion is a good one, read up on its use but if I has a sinus infection I would use it multiple times a day initially..

Here is the link to the one I bought

http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/product/neti.html

-Another remedy we all seem to use for our kids but not for us is to use a humidifier while you sleep especially during winter... See a aromatherapist though before using any essential oils etc due to the pregnancy.

-After advice from your health practioner (GP, naturopath) try stuff like:

• olive leaf extract

Really powerful antimicrobial properties to kill all the nasties, I am no expert but it should be safe during pregnancy.

• Colloidal silver

Applies topically as a spray into the sinus cavities or even used dilute in your neti pot.

• Cod Liver Oil 

This one is somewhat controversial due to Vitamin A levels but take around 4mL per day to help the body fight off the cold.  Make sure it is a brand that does not 'fortif'y' the oil so that it is natural, we use Melrose Organic CLO

-Above all boost your nutrition, plenty of raw juice - get a cold press type one, I think Sunbeam has a good cheap version.  Mail me if you need further info or direction.

You want to make yourself more healthy to beat the sickness as well as look after your child. enlist your husband to support and help you.  Get him to juice for you in the morning!!

All the best our thoughts and prayers are with you

i had a head cold and chest infection at the same time around the same time in my pregnancy and needed antibiotics, so i'd see a different doc if he's not willing to prescribe them.

for the sinuses there's also something called a neti pot. it's been shown on oprah, it's a genie lamp/teapot looking thing that you put luckwarm saline into and pour it into your nose while your head is tiltled to the side so it fills your sinues and flushes them out coming out the other nostil and not down your throat which it what everyone hates. one of my friends uses it ans says it works great for her sinuses, i'm thikning of getting one as i've got sinus problems at the moment aswell. just google neti pot. they give a demonstration youtube aswell.

i had a head cold and chest infection at the same time around the same time in my pregnancy and needed antibiotics, so i'd see a different doc if he's not willing to prescribe them.

for the sinuses there's also something called a neti pot. it's been shown on oprah, it's a genie lamp/teapot looking thing that you put luckwarm saline into and pour it into your nose while your head is tiltled to the side so it fills your sinues and flushes them out coming out the other nostil and not down your throat which it what everyone hates. one of my friends uses it ans says it works great for her sinuses, i'm thikning of getting one as i've got sinus problems at the moment aswell. just google neti pot. they give a demonstration youtube aswell.

Ok, firstly you need to go to a different doctor as if you have a sinus infection you need antibiotics & there are ones you can take during pregnancy. Also if your ribs are painful you can take, panadol, panadiene or panadiene forte (a doc can give you a script for the panandiene forte). There are vitamins you can take to help - the best thing I found when pregnant though was Brauer Respatona or Brauer Cold Relief, Brauer products are homeopathic and completely safe for you to take while pregnant.

For the fluid in the ears, allow the air of a hair dryer to blow into them, on a low setting & not too close to the ear. Really, a doctor told me this when my son was very young & had a lot of ear infections. It helps melt wax so it can drain away. If my ears feel blocked during a cold I do this & find it really does help.

Get natural things into you like garlic & oranges. Squeeze fresh oranges for juice. There's a good vitamin I use that I find helps a lot which is horseradish, garlic, A & C. For sinuses get some eucalyptus oil - either put in a burner or dab some on a hanky (or even a washer) & have it close to you. You can also put it in boiling water, put your head over the bowl with a towel over your head, & breathe it in. Another thing to do is get into the bathroom with the shower running nice & hot & breathe in the steam.

Your rib needs attention. Yes, go to another doctor. They can at least strap it up.

I really hope you feel better soon xx

I think you need to go to a different doctor..
I know when I was pregnant I had a real bad ear infection (just like now) and I was allowed to have antibiotics that are safe when pregnant. As for your sinus's there isn't much you can do.. Most of the stuff you aren't allowed to take when pregnant. You can have Tylenol(not advil, only tylenol) to help ease the pain but that's about it.
As for nasal spray, you can ONLY use saline (salt & water basicially) to spray up your nose.

If you're going to use Vicks, use ONLY a little bit, as it has a decongestant in it and its not good for baby.
There is some cough medicine you can use but it can't have a deongestant in it, talk to your pharamcist about it (that's what I did)
And for cough drops, the only ones when pregnant to use are those Vicks Vitamin C ones. They are good but don't really do anything :(

Hope this helps some!