Flu and Pregnancy

The flu is a highly infectious virus. It tends to occur seasonally, and is usually around during the winter months. During pregnancy, your weakened immune system means you have an increased risk of catching flu. The weakened immune system also puts you at a greater, though still very small, risk of developing complications if you do contract the virus.

Flu vaccine during pregnancy

Pregnant women are offered the flu vaccine each year. Usually offered in the fall, it takes a couple of weeks for you to develop an immunity after the shot. The flu vaccine is considered safe to administer at any point during pregnancy. There is no need to wait until your second trimester, as the vaccine is considered safe even during early pregnancy.

If you have not been offered the flu vaccine, speak to your healthcare provider to find out why. It is not possible to catch flu from the vaccine, although you may experience some mild side effects that mimic flu symptoms. As with all vaccines, there are a number of possible side effects, please ask your healthcare provider about these before being vaccinated. There is a nasal spray flu vaccine available, but this is not suitable for use during pregnancy.

Symptoms of flu

If you contract flu, you will experience a fever of over 38C/100.4F, and at least two of the following symptoms:

runny nose
headache
sore throat
tiredness
loss of appetite
muscle aches
cough
shortness of breath
diarrhoea or vomiting

The potential complications of suffering from flu during pregnancy include pneumonia, dehydration and difficulty breathing. If you think you may be suffering from flu, contact your healthcare provider for advice.

Treatment for flu during pregnancy

The following tips may help you to manage your flu symptoms:

get plenty of rest
increase your fluid intake
eat little and often
use cold flannels to lower your temperature
speak to your pharmacist for advice on which over the counter medications are safe to take during pregnancy

When to call your healthcare provider

Pregnancy puts you at a slightly increased risk of a number of complications. For this reason, it’s important to seek immediate medical help if you notice any of the following symptoms:

difficulty breathing
shortness of breath
coughing up a bloody mucus
turning blue
pressure or pain in your chest or abdomen
dizziness
severe vomiting
reduced foetal movements
a high fever that cannot be lowered with over the counter medications

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

The Vitamin K Shot for Newborns

Vitamin K is important because it helps blood clot. Around one in every 10,000 babies is born with low amounts of vitamin K, meaning they are more at-risk of bleeding. If these babies suffered internal bleeding problems, they may not have enough vitamin K to prevent a serious bleed. The risk of internal bleeding problems is prominent during the first 13 weeks of a baby’s life. This is known as vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) or Haemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn (HDN).

Bleeding is a very serious problem for babies. Some babies may suffer bleeding during the first week of life. This could be bleeding from the nose, umbilical stump or bottom, or could even appear as spontaneous bruising. Sometimes bruising is from forceps or vacuum (ventouse) use during the delivery. Some babies experience late onset bleeding which occurs over a week after the birth date. Over half of all babies who suffer a late bleed, will have an intracranial bleed into their brain. This can cause brain damage, and can be fatal for some babies.

Does my baby need the vitamin K shot?

Some factors have been identified as high risk for VKDB, including babies who:

were born born prematurely
suffered breathing problems at birth
were born by ventouse / vacuum, forceps or caesarean surgery
were bruised during the birth
had liver problems or were poorly at birth
breastfed babies who are not feeding well
were born to mothers who took epilepsy, tuberculosis or clotting medication during the pregnancy

However, a third of all babies who experience VKDB do not fit into any of the categories above. It is very difficult to tell which babies are most at risk of VKDB. For this reason, experts advise that all babies be given the shot immediately after birth. Without this, a very small number of babies born each year would suffer brain damage or die as a result of VKDB.

How is the shot administered?

Your baby will be offered the shot shortly after the birth, and this is usually something you consent to or oppose in advance. The injection is the most effective and efficient way to increase your baby’s vitamin K levels for a greater length of time.

If you prefer, you can request that the dose is taken orally, and some parents choose to do this instead. If you opt for this method, your baby will be given two doses during the first week of life, and may then be offered a third dose when your baby is a month old.

You can choose not to give your baby vitamin K at all. Whichever decision you make, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider in advance and ensure you are fully informed before making the decision.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock