Local Community Advertising
A women’s comfort is often already compromised when pregnant, and when you’re expecting, the last additional thing you want to do is to fight the flu.
I experienced pregnancy and flu first-hand over the holidays, and getting sick was very inhibiting.
The virus that I caught came on very suddenly - I was fine on Christmas Eve and woke up on Christmas Day with the chills, the aches, a stuffy nose, and a very congested chest. Luckily I managed to avoid a fever.
I was in bed for the better part of a week because of the flu, and since pregnant women are not advised to take most medications to ease flu symptoms, this was one of the worst flu experiences I’ve had in many years.
After chatting with my midwife, here are some of her recommendations on how to stay healthy during pregnancy so you can evade getting the nasty bug that took over our household.
Get a Flu Shot
After what I’ve been through the past week, I’ve decided that I will now consider getting an annual flu shot. Since I’ve never had the flu shot before, it was never part of my routine, and I didn’t get one during the start of the current cold and flu season.
My midwife suggested that I can get the flu shot when I do fully recover, but that will also depend on when labour will start as I’m in the final weeks of my pregnancy.
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends the flu shot for pregnant women because changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy put pregnant women in the high risk category.
Being in this category also gives pregnant women in BC (and their household members) the eligibility to get the flu shot for free.
For a complete list of those who are eligible for a free flu shot, the BC Centre for Disease Control has a handout outlining the details here.
Diet
Making sure you get all the necessary vitamins and minerals is important at any stage of pregnancy, but especially when your immune system is working overtime during the flu season. I’ve been pretty strict with my diet by making sure I take my daily vitamins with plenty of fruits and vegetables, but sometimes the persistent flu gets the upper hand.
HealthLink BC suggests a few simple ways to add fruits and vegetables to your diet:
- Put a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter so minimal effort is necessary when you feel hungry for a healthy snack
- Buy ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables in case you’re in a hurry
- Dried fruit is a good option for those who need a snack on a the go
If You Do Get the Flu While Pregnant
Unfortunately as mentioned above, the drugs that you can take to help alleviate flu symptoms are limited when you’re pregnant. Tylenol is still generally allowed to help with aches, pains and fevers, but make sure you check with your primary care provider first. Here are some of the home remedies that my midwife did give me the green light to use:
- Drink hot fluids - you can try adding honey, ginger and lemon
- A mentholated topical ointment such as Vicks VapoRub or a generic store brand can help with congestion and coughing
- Warm showers because the humidity will help with congestion and coughing
If you have any bleeding, if you are running a fever, or if you are vomiting, make sure you check in with your midwife or doctor as soon and possible. Always best to listen to your gut if you have any concerns to ensure the safety of you and your baby. Fingers crossed that we can all stay as healthy as possible through the rest this winter.
We invite pregnancy experts and other moms-to-be to join in on the conversation! Reach out if you have topic suggestions for this column on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or email me at KelownaNow.
Local Community Advertising