<human>: I am about 8 weeks pregnant and for the past 2 weeks I have been coughing up phlegm which vary in color. It has got so bad that I have committed up or coughe up blood. I have seen my private doctor and he has given me a herbal medication but this doesn t seem to relieve it.
<bot>: **1. Hemoptysis [coughing up blood] should never be treated symptomatically, you should be properly investigated.2. Obtain a chest X-ray [PA-view] for possible causes : tuberculous cavitation, features of mitral stenosis, lower zone fibrosis, pulmonary infarction3. Examine for non-pulmonary causes e.g.: hypertension, bleeding diathesis4. Since bleeding is in small quantity:. Bed rest in semi reclining position. Cough suppressant [for minimal suppression of hacking cough]. Mild tranquilizer to relieve anxiety. Ask for He, WBC, ESR, X-ray Chests.i. Hemoptysis is always precipitated by a secondary infection, so always give a strong antibiotic. [which are safe in pregnancy]ii. Make sure your doctor do not miss acute pulmonary edema or mistake hematemesis with hemoptysis.iii.  There is no information of coughing up blood affecting the unborn child directly. You should not ignore this but make sure to seek medical advice.