Swine Flu Advice for Pregnant Women
The government has re-issued medical advice for expectant mothers and small children as swine flu continues to claim lives in the UK
As the swine flu pandemic continues to take hold in the UK, the government have opted to re-issue best medical advice to those groups which are currently identified as most at risk from suffering badly or even dying from the illness. Much of the advice still stands from when we first reported about swine flu in pregnancy in the spring, but due to the recent cases where pregnant women have died of swine flu, after giving birth, it is worth reviewing the current advice. The NHS is also widening its facilities for advice and treatment of people coming to them worried about or showing symptoms of swine flu.
Renewed UK advice on swine flu
The Department for Health has information on its website that is useful for the whole family to read, but is of particular interest to those groups currently deemed to be most 'at risk', which include children under five years of age, and women in the late stages of pregnancy. To read this advice, go to www.dh.gov.uk.
Swine flu risk in pregnancy
Most people who have caught swine flu so far have only suffered mild flu-like smptoms and been able to cope with the illness with over the counter medication and rest at home. However, some of those who have developed serious complications (linked to respiratory problems, for example) have died.
In pregnancy, like the rest of the population, if you do contract swine flu you will most likely only experience the mild symptoms and be laid low for a few days. However, the risk is with any case, that more serious complications can develop.
During pregnancy your immune system is slightly surpressed (so that you do not have an excessive immune reaction to the baby you are carrying), however the main danger is not that you are more likely to catch swine flu than another person, but that you might get more ill than someone else would. That does not automatically mean you would get dangerous complications but that you might experience a heavier dose of the flu's symptoms than another person of your age might. This seems to be especially true in the second and third trimesters.
If someone you have been in close contact with already has swine flu, talk to your doctor, who might prescribe a preventative medicine for you.
I'm pregnant and I think I've got swine flu, what now?
The symptoms of swine flu are usually similar to those of regular human seasonal flu: fever and a cough, tiredness, headache, aching muscles, runny nose, sore throat, nausea or diarrhoea.
Pregnant women who are diagosed with swine flu can be given an antiviral drug called Relenza. This is taken through an inhaler rather than a tablet which means it builds up in your throat and lungs rather than in your blood, therefore it should not affect your baby because the fetus is nourished via your blood and the placenta.
NOTE: Relenza, and another swine flu medication called Tamiflu, are safe to take if you are breastfeeding.
If you do think you have swine flu or it is confirmed, do not mix with other people to avoid further spread, but ask your partner or a friend to help get you medication and any food shopping you need.
In most cases the patient recovers within a week.
Conflicting advice on swine flu in pregnancy
Different pregnancy and medical bodies have been offering conflicting advice about what pregnant women should do. This can be a real worry for any woman expecting a baby.
Swine flu is not a two-week problem and hiding away is simply not practical for any woman, it is also not advisable as it can mean you are sitting at home, worrying and being less active, which can also be unhelpful in pregnancy. However, there are a few things which can help you:
- If you need to travel on busy trains or buses, make sure you wash your hands with soap and hot water whenever you complete your journey (when you get to work and when you get home in the evening, for example). Avoid eating whilst on a train or bus until you have been able to wash your hands, and avoid touching your face until you have had a chance to wash your hands.
- If possible, carry a small bottle of antibacterial lotion around with you – the kind you can buy in any chemist. This means you can clean your hands even when there isn't a bathroom handy.
- As with any woman in pregnancy even without a problem like swine flu around, be wise about how you interact with crowds. You don't have to avoid parties or other big events per se, but take the option where possible to stick to seating areas rather than crowded standing sections. When you come away from a crowded area, wash your hands and face.
- If you start to feel unwell, don't panic but contact your GP or midwife team as soon as you can. From later this week there will be additional local and on-call support via the NHS, but in the meantime make your own GP your main contact for advice.
- Don't get too paranoid – if you are a healthy person most of the time, your body should still be equipped to fight anything it comes across. Continue to look after yourself as you should do anyway – eating well, not dashing about too much, and trying to be as generally fit and healthy as you can.
Mixed messages about trying for a baby
There have been reports that some bodies are suggesting women shouldn't try for a baby at the moment.
Bear in mind that swine flu isn't going to go away anytime soon. If you are a very wary person then it's your free choice, but bear in mind that there have been many other illnesses and wars around the world through the centuries, and life did go on. What woman has ever avoided pregnancy because she was scared of being in a road accident? And road accidents are pretty common.
If the problem gets intensely worse either here or abroad, there may be different advice at a later date, but don't let worry stop you from making a major life choice.
The NHS website has a page of useful information specifically for pregnant women: www.nhs.uk.
Discuss this story
Hiya, I don't see the point in worrying too much about it. If you're going to catch it then you're going to catch it. I mean, fair enough, be prepared...get stocked up with paracetamol and things like that, but you should be taking precautions such as washing your hands before you eat and covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze anyway. There's no complete way to protect yourself, unless you wrap yourself in a bubble and don't eat or drink or anything, so why worry about what you can't control? I had a look at bbc news and on the one hand they were advising pregnant women and under 5s to stay away from crowds and then another lady (I think she was a health secretary or something) pointed out that pregnancy is not an illness and we shouldn't treat it as such. I think common sense is needed, avoid ill people and protect yourself, but don't put your life on hold! I suppose I'm not too worried because I'm pretty sure we've both already had it, we were exposed to it in our local dr's surgery (before I got pregnant) and then got very ill a couple of days later and the symptoms matched. Recovered in about 4-5 days though, with just paracetamol and ibuprofen. My partner is very paranoid though for some reason and seems to find it irritating that I'm not worried. Nikki (7+1) and Kamran (11 months)
x
Posted: 20/07/2009 15:46
I am really worried after seeing recent news articles, but more so for my children - 16mth old daughter, and unborn baby - whom i will have to deliver early in 4 weeks time, due to Obstetric Cholestasis. I am also in a higher risk category as i already have other 'underlying health conditions' What do i do if i get it? not go into hospital, or the maternity ward, where i am currently undergoing twice weekly monitoring?? I am scared to death for my daughter and my unborn baby, more so than myself as they will be so vulnerable, especially with all the hype/scare stories about how bad it is going to be this autumn and winter- what do we do- hole ourselves up inside the house? should we be stockpiling rations like in the WWars??? I hope it is all a big fuss over nothing, like Bird Flu, SArs etc... but it seems to be getting worse? Anybody else in their 3rd trimester- or already have young babies too? Lyn, 34wks tomorrow! ...............
Posted: 20/07/2009 19:25
I wasn't worried about me but am worried about my 10 month old daughter. It is al very well them saying don't go out in crowds etc but I need to eat and therefore I need to shop. I can't stay at home for the forseeable future, that is just ridiculous and I would have a very bored baby too! What about other family? Surely if they are 'in a crowded area' they are just as likely to get it and bring it home. I really hope it is all being blown aout of proportion and as Nikki said If you're gonna get it I think you are gonna get it and I suppose all we can do is be as hygenic as we can. I never used to worry at all about health scares but since having my daughter I find I worry more easily about many more things! I guess that is just part of being a mum.
Posted: 20/07/2009 20:23
I'm trying not to worry but it's getting more difficult. I've had a stinking cold, with runny nose and sore throat for the last couple of weeks that I just can't shift BUT I don't have a temperature or aching limbs so the Doc said it just sounds like a normal cold. The key thing seems to be a high temperature. That seems to be the risk to the unborn one too based on what hubby's been reading. I've been using DS's ear thermometer to check our temperatures regularly so if you are pregnant it might be a good time to get the thermometer!! Like you Lynne I've got an 18 mth old already and am 24 weeks pregnant with #2. There's a confirmed case at DS's nursery and a lady off from my work with a suspected case too so I feel a bit surrounded by it. The worse thing is though that I work at the public Library! A terrible place for catching everyone else's germs. I'm constantly using the hand sanitiser but when you're handling the books all day you never feel clean. But what can we do, can't exactly avoid work or life in general for that matter!?!
Posted: 20/07/2009 20:30
Hi My hubby is on day 5 of the Tamiflu after being diagnosed with swine flu last week. I have a 21 month old daughter at home and have been worried sick to the point I couldnt watch any more of it on the news. So far neither her , my 15 year old son or myself have shown any symptoms but we are being vigilant. My neighbour next door also has it and is quite ill with it too. I really do think its one of those things that is just unavoidable and as a previous poster mentioned we still have to live every day and look after the family etc. We have been told to just treat it like normal flu and "keep calm and get on with it " not so easy when we hardly know what we are dealing with !. I will add though that my hubby has had worse common colds than this and has coped brilliant with it. Hes on the mend now and back on his feet Thankfully ! Congratulations to all the Mumies to be, hope you all have wonderful pregnancies ! Good luck ! Sharon
Posted: 20/07/2009 20:49
My daughter is only four months old and i am so worried about her getting it. Though my oh has been researching and trying to put it in to perspective and apparantly statistic wise it's not actually any worse than seasonal flu at the moment. I think it's the worry that it may mutate, but there is no sign of that yet either. You do have to wonder whether the media has just blown this waaay out of proportion and the gov are just taking precautionary measures. I mean millions suffer from flu every year, suddenly sticking the word 'swine' in front of it makes it terrifying. As for recent articles about staying in and avoiding public places etc that is ridiculous as there is a high chance this virus will lurk around for years to come. The government need to get a handle on this before there is a mass panic. Plus media only highlights the few tragic cases, not the hundreds and hundreds of positive ones, where people have made a full recovery after a week or so of illness. Like Nikki says unfortunately if you're going to get it you're going to get it. The guidelines just need to be more clear on what to do if you do get it. For example, i have searched far and wide for info on what to do if you have a young baby and nothing, yet they make such a big deal about if you have a young baby - ridiculous. My sister is currently suffering with the virus and while she is very poorly indeed, she's getting through it. I have become obsessed with hand washing and hand gels but what else can you do short of outting masks on when u go out?! Really scary at the moment and i really hope it's much ado about nothing as even though i try to stay positive and be realistic, i am scared. Hope everyone expecting bubba's or with youngsters stay well. xxx
Posted: 20/07/2009 20:55
I'm 34 wks and 4 days, and we live in north sweden now...safe from everything!! Lol but we have family coming over to stay in 2 weeks time. The wife is a nurse at a big hospital in birmingham, and they have 2 young kids. My mum keeps texting me saying we should cancel their visit, as she might be a 'carrier'...can someone be a 'carrier' of swine flu and not know they have it??? This is their first holiday in ten years, and we really want them to visit..but now i'm scared i'm putting myself and baby at risk..and they'll be travelling on 2 planes to get here ..'public transport' etc... Is my mum just over reacting..or is there a risk????
Posted: 21/07/2009 08:44
Hi Saz, we are more likely to suffer badly from it, than more likely to catch it. I am 34 wks today. Young children under 5, especially new babies also very vulnerable. Thats what scares me- especially as i already have a few health issues that affect my immune system. I think the 2 women who died just after giving birth both had much worse conditions than i have, and both gave birth prematurely (i think), so trying not to worry too much. Not sure if catching it in late pregnancy makes it more likely to give birth prematurely tho? I will be getting induced or having c-section in about 4 weeks anyway. It is only as bad a seasonal flu now- but who usually gets flu in the middle of summer- how bad is it going to get in the autumn/winter. it has put me off putting our daughter into a nursery in october, which is what we planned. she will be 19/20mths, and i dont know if i want to risk it. Sure we will all be worried about our newborns being so vulnerable thru the autumn winter Hopefully it will all have blown over and be no big deal by then. i have taken to avoiding the news now as i am sick of hearing about it- fuelling my paranoia Hope we all fussing over nothing. take care mummies, bumps and babies xx
Posted: 21/07/2009 08:49
Heather I can understand totally your Mums fears over your visitors coming and I have to agree that I would really want to postpone their visit until a more safer time for you. Swine flu is rife here with thousands of cases being confirmed every week and its just not worth the risk. Take care, xxxx
Posted: 21/07/2009 08:56
Hi Heather. i just missed your post My fella flew home last weekend from working away- from Africa to Dubai, then to Manchester, after working out at sea in the gulf- and boy, was i paranoid about him coming home after the flights- but fingers crossed we all seem ok. As for your sis-in-law - i dont know if there is such thing as a carrier, but i am not sure what the incubation period is for the condition, before symptoms start showing? is that what you mean? if she works in a hospital she must know a lot about it, so maybe talk to her. i know how you are feeling tho as i too am 34weeks anyway, i am getting off here now b4 i become obsessed- lol lyn
Posted: 21/07/2009 08:57
Hi Lynne We were told at the hospital that the incubation period is anything from 3 days before the sufferer shows symptoms until a few days after all the symptoms have vanished, could be anything up to 8 days but there is just so much conflicting news on it, its hard to tell. My hubby finished the Tamiflu yesterday and seemed so much better but through the night he was moaning and groaning and saying that all his muscles and joints etc were agony so hes not completely 100 % better just yet and this is day 8 for him. Hope this helps ! xxxxxx
Posted: 21/07/2009 09:08
Hi All I have a 20 month old son Thomas and yesterday he had a temperature all day and just wanted to sit and cuddle instead of running around like normal, he kept crying like he's hurting but can't tell why. He's hardly eaten anything for about 3 days. He slept badly and kept waking up and crying. He had a temp of 38 this morning, I've given him nurofen but don't know if I should take him to the doctors or call them or just leave it, am a bit worried but don't know what I'm supposed to do?? Thanks
Posted: 21/07/2009 09:37
Hi Anna I would call the doctors and tell them your baby`s symptoms just to be on the safe side, they can tell you over the phone if they think its "probable swine flu " and get you the infant Tamiflu sorted out if needed. Hope he feels better soon, xx
Posted: 21/07/2009 10:03
my 8 month old baby has all the symptoms of swine flu, had her at hospital last night and they say it is most likely to be it so have basically diognosed her with it. there is nothin we can do though as tamiflu not licensed for under one's. I am worried sick as she is really not well. i feel so helpless and dont know what to do. It is horrible. Hope everyone is well. Laura x
Posted: 07/09/2009 20:26
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