Autumn is here – leaves have turned from green to gold, bronze and deep red, skies are bright, but the air has a real nip in it and flu season is looming!
If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding and have a health condition that is eligible for the annual flu vaccination then this is your reminder that flu can be dangerous to you and your baby and so you are strongly advised to speak to your Midwife or GP about the vaccination programme and how to access it.
Why am I advised to have the flu vaccination during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your immune system is working even harder to protect not only you but your unborn baby as well and is therefore more susceptible to germs, bacteria, and viruses that cause illnesses. Non-pregnant you can usually fight off these minor illnesses quite easily but with a slightly compromised immune system you may well find yourself being hit harder than usual by the symptoms. Flu is a virus spread freely by water droplets – coughing, sneezing etc and can live invisibly on surfaces for about 24 hours meaning you can pick it up in the office, when out shopping, in a restaurant, pretty much anywhere where other people are or have been. It is totally indiscriminate and can hit pretty hard.
Symptoms of flu
Some people have very minor symptoms and may have only one or two, whilst others have them all and will be floored by it. The following is a list of symptoms that are identified by the NHS as being associated with flu. If you are pregnant and experience any of these you should mention it to your GP or Midwife, although they do not necessarily mean you have flu they will want to know about any symptoms and will be able to offer advice about managing them:
* a sudden high temperature
* an aching body
* feeling tired or exhausted
* a dry cough
* a sore throat
* a headache
* difficulty sleeping
* loss of appetite
* diarrhoea or tummy pain
* feeling sick and being sick
How to manage symptoms of flu
Flu is a virus, and viruses do not respond to antibiotic treatment so you will need to manage the symptoms rather than treat them. Typically, you will be advised:
* to take regular paracetamol to help reduce your temperature and manage pain but avoid flu and cold remedies such as powders or capsules which contain decongestants that are contraindicated in pregnancy, and do not take ibuprofen as this can be harmful to your unborn baby
* rest, this is so important to allow your body to fight the virus effectively
* keep well hydrated drinking lots of fluids
* keep warm but be aware with a very high temperature you may feel colder than usual so try not to overheat yourself as this will only serve to increase your temperature further
What can I do to help to protect myself from catching flu during my pregnancy?
Viruses are invisible and can be transmitted easily from person to person so avoiding it altogether may be impossible, but our Midwives have offered some top tips to reduce your risk of catching it or becoming seriously poorly if you do become infected:
* hand hygiene – adhering to strict hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to kill bacteria and reduce transmission via touch. Use hot soapy water before and after going to the toilet and when out about touching door handles etc that may have been contaminated by others – you can use hand gel, but it is not as effective on bacteria and viruses as hot soapy water
* try to avoid contact with anyone who is unwell – unfortunately, flu has symptoms that can easily be confused with a common cold but erring on the side of caution during pregnancy is always recommended. Ask unwell visitors to stay away – if you explain your concerns, they will usually respect your wishes
* maintain a healthy and varied diet with lots of fruits and vegetables for Vitamin C to naturally support your immune system supported by a good quality dietary supplement such as My Expert Midwife’s All in One Supplements
* have your flu vaccination – all pregnant women in the UK are offered a flu vaccination and it is safe to have at any stage of pregnancy. Women who have the vaccination during pregnancy will pass on some immunity to their unborn baby. This is of course entirely your decision but you should have a full discussion with your Midwife or GP to ensure that whatever your choice you make is based on the best available and most up-to-date evidence.
