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Diane Porter
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Pregnancy and H1N1: A primer on swine flu FAQs, the vaccine, your body and your baby

Here’s how worried the Centers for Disease Control is about the H1N1 flu in pregnant women: It is the very first thing you see on their home page, above all other diseases and conditions. Clicking on the words “H1N1 and pregnancy” takes you to a page filled with information. Prominently displayed in bold type is this caution:

“Pregnant women can get seriously ill with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “novel H1N1 flu” or “swine flu”). Learn how to protect yourself and your baby and what to do if you have symptoms of the flu.”

And, just beneath that: “A pregnant woman who gets any type of flu has a greater chance for serious health problems. Compared with people in general who get 2009 H1N1 flu, pregnant women with 2009 H1N1 flu are more likely to be admitted to hospitals. Pregnant women are also more likely to have serious illness and can die from 2009 H1N1 flu. To protect yourself and your baby, make sure to get both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot.”

Still, there are moms-to-be who worry whether getting the vaccine is the safest thing to do for themselves and their baby. They have spent weeks or months being hyper-careful about caffeine, alcohol and medicines that could harm the developing fetus, and they are unsure about this. Here’s some of the most vital information about the vaccines, the flu and the impact on a pregnant woman’s body.

We value and respect the experiences of all of our HerWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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