Pregnancy is sometimes the best and most beautiful time of your life, and other times, it’s not. Pregnancy may feel like a chore when you come down with a case of the flu (which will probably happen at some point during your pregnancy). But do not fret; we’re here for you. I’ve written a complete list of what and what not to do during flu in pregnancy.
Although flu during pregnancy is serious, it’s a treatable condition. Most pregnant ladies will heal in no time and will not harm you or your little growing baby.
Understanding flu in pregnancy
Flu is a common infection that usually occurs in winter. It is caused by a virus called the influenza virus. Usually, it causes lung infection, and you end up with symptoms like a cough, fatigue, and body aches and pains.
As medical providers, we may be slightly more concerned about your flu because, during pregnancy, you are more likely to be hospitalized if you contract the flu. The reason for this is that when you become pregnant, your body suppresses your immune system so that your body doesn’t see your little baby as an intruder and tries to remove it. This means that you also aren’t able to fight infection as you would when you’re not pregnant so infection may be more severe for you.
As I’m sure you already know, there’s also very little medication a pregnant person is allowed to take during pregnancy. Another important thing to remember is that because flu is viral, antibiotics won’t help you fight it off, so you need to treat the symptoms. This may not be easy when you can’t drink very much of what is on the shelf at your local pharmacy.
Safe Flu Medications and Natural Remedies During Pregnancy
Luckily, there are a couple of pregnancy-safe remedies that you can take for your flu symptoms.
Safe South African Over-the-Counter Medications for Flu In Pregnancy
Panado for pain and fever (take two tablets every 6 hours)
Sinupret for nasal congestion (take one tablet three times a day)
Sinutab tablets for nasal congestion (take Sinutab sparingly in the second and third trimesters)
Actifed Cold Syrup (take 5 – 10 ml 8 hourly)
Prospan Cough Syrup (take 5 ml 8 hourly)
Saline Nose Spray for congestion. This is just salt water; you can use this as often as you like.
Safe Natural Remedies for Flu in Pregnancy
Vitamin C (take a 1000mg supplement daily)
Honey and lemon water (use warm water and drink when needed for coughing)
Euphorbium Nasal spray can help relieve flu symptoms
Ginger is also known to alleviate cold symptoms
Rest, rest, and more rest
Drink plenty of water
Because the above over-the-counter medications and natural remedies are safe during pregnancy, you can try a combination of these to see what helps you the most. Usually, combining natural and over-the-counter medications will give you the best effect.
Safe Prescription Medication During Pregnancy
It’s also great to know that there is plenty of prescription medication that is completely safe to use during pregnancy. These will all require a script from your doctor but you can rest assured that they will not harm you or your baby.
Penicillin antibiotics and some other antibiotic groups are safe during pregnancy (remember these are only indicated for bacterial infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia and not flu)
Cortisone can be taken with caution during pregnancy (but remember your doctor has weighed the risks)
How to Protect Yourself and Your Baby from Flu During Pregnancy
As they always say prevention is better than cure. I’m going to give you a couple of tips to prevent flu during pregnancy so that we can deliver a healthy and safe baby.
Flu Prevention Tips for Expectant Mothers
Avoid crowded places – especially during flu season. This means malls, stores, and family gatherings where you are likely to pick up any viruses
Constantly (and I mean CONSTANTLY) wash your hands! Flu can be contracted from surfaces when you touch them and then touch your face. If you are out in public frequently sanitize your hands and wash immediately with soap and water when you have the chance.
Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your house often. These include countertops, door handles, and toilet areas.
Help your immune system by taking daily supplements, drinking water and doing some exercise a couple of times a week.
How to protect your unborn baby from the risks associated with flu.
To protect your baby from flu-related complications, you should take several precautions, such as following the tips I mentioned before. First and foremost it’s so important to make sure you are receiving regular prenatal care and monitoring during flu season (and throughout your pregnancy). This ensures that if there are any complications, they are quickly detected and dealt with.
Getting a flu vaccine is another one of the most effective steps to protect your baby, as it helps both you and your baby develop immunity to the flu. We are going to further discuss flu vaccines below.
Managing Flu in Pregnancy and When to Seek Help
Flu in pregnancy is usually harmless but can lead to potentially dangerous situations. Therefore, if you suspect that your flu is worsening it’s important to visit a healthcare provider for a follow-up. If you would like us to do a quick check-up on you and your baby please book an appointment, here.
Some potential flu complications during pregnancy include:
Pneumonia
Preterm labour
Low birth weight babies
Birth defects – if early in pregnancy
Miscarriage or stillbirth
These are RARE but possible – so don’t panic if you have the flu. You can self-medicate and if your condition is not improving please come visit us so we can check and put your mind at ease.
Recognizing Flu Complications During Pregnancy
If you have any of the following symptoms during your bout of flue, please see a healthcare provider
Fever above 38ºC
Difficulty breathing
Severe chest pain
Dehydration
Baby moving less
Persistent cough
Severe headaches
Signs of preterm labour
The Flu Vaccine During Pregnancy
Is the Flu Vaccine Safe in Pregnancy?
One study said, “Available data suggest no evidence of an increased risk for any adverse event for both mothers and fetuses after vaccination against flu during pregnancy.” Countless other studies in academic journals suggest that flu vaccines are safe during pregnancy and that the benefit of receiving one far outweighs the risk.
Remember a baby can only get their first flu vaccine after they are six months old so they rely on you for passive immunity to protect them before then. Passive immunity refers to immunity that is passed from one person to another either while the baby is in the uterus or through breastfeeding. Having a flu vaccine will also prevent you from acquiring the flu which you could pass on to your newborn, this is known as herd immunity.
Conclusion
The key things to remember are: 1. Flu is usually harmless in pregnancy, 2. Antibiotics do not treat the flu, and 3. Vaccines can save your and your baby’s life.
You can probably recover well without seeing a doctor but if your flu seems to worsen and not improve over a few days please seek medical help. Hope you feel better soon!
Care for Flu in Pregnancy In Centurion
If you’re located in Centurion and you are worried that your flu has possibly gotten worse, please make an appointment so that our midwife can assess you. We charge all major medical aids.
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