Swine flu in pregnancy
It’s bad enough having a regular cold during pregnancy, and most mums-to-be prefer to avoid medication as this is considered best for baby.
However, when a woman is carrying a baby, her immune system is tested and it has always been a fact that even normal flu can cause problems for the unborn child.
Pregnant women are well advised to take good care of their immune systems by eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit and to minimise their risk of exposure to Swine Flu and other infections.
Although the government advises that most pregnant women with Swine Flu will experience mild symptoms and recover within a week, the complications that can occur within the second and third trimester of pregnancy include pneumonia, breathing difficulties and dehydration, which can cause premature labour or miscarriage.
Pregnant women who develop symptoms of Swine Flu, listed by the NHS as tiredness, headache, aching muscles, runny nose, sore throat, nausea or diarrhoea, are advised to seek immediate medical advice.
They will most likely be prescribed Relenza, the anti-viral drug considered the safest option for their pregnancy. They may also be advised to take a precautionary course of anti-virals if a family member comes down with the illness.
The Swine Flu vaccine is expected to be offered to all pregnant women towards the end of the year, and health officials are likely to be urging the uptake of the vaccine in the hope that the spread of Swine Flu doesn’t spiral out of control. There have already been assurances that the vaccine will be safe for both mother and baby.
In the meantime, avoiding crowds and unnecessary travel is still advised for pregnant women, along with following basic precautions, such as disposing of tissues promptly, covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, keeping hard surfaces and door handles clean and maintaining a rigorous hand washing routine.