Special Alert: swine flu, pregnancy and fertility
Special Alert: swine flu, pregnancy and fertility (Image)
with swine flu now holding the potential of a global pandemic, it is perhaps no more concerned about falling patients that women who are pregnant.
This is particularly true for those of you over 35 who may already be struggling with fertility problems – or may be subjected to fertility treatment at present.
The good news is that pregnancy does not necessarily increase your risk of contracting swine influenza – or any other type of flu. However, it is important to note that if you catch the flu during pregnancy, studies show that you are up to five times more likely to suffer serious complications – such as pneumonia. This is often where most influenza fatalities lie.
In terms of risks to your baby, the greatest threat of diseases like influenza occur from high fever in the mother during pregnancy. degrees of body temperature over 101 supported, and in particular more than 102 degrees can increase the risk of miscarriage and lead to an increased risk of neural tube defects in babies – including lethal malformations of the brain and spine spine.
The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent these problems, even if you have the flu.
The first is to control your fever.The March of Dimes recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol), but talk to your doctor first to ensure that it is correct for you. You should also try to keep your body as fresh as possible with cold compresses and drinking plenty of fluids. Pregnancy is not the time to “sweat” the fever.
The second is to continue taking your prenatal vitamins – particularly folic acid 1000 mcg. Studies at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, England, found that women who took a multi vitamin high in folic acid during pregnancy reduces the risk of their babies birth defects, even if they ran a fever during pregnancy.
In terms of these two drugs used to treat swine flu – Tamiflu and Relenza – as other drugs against influenza, they are classified by the FDA as “Class C” drugs – that which means they have not been tested for use during pregnancy. However, it is important to note that there has been no incidence of birth defects or other serious health problems associated with the use of these drugs in pregnant women who used them.
So, if symptoms are severe, your doctor may suggest a course of each drug, and if that is the case, experts say do not be afraid.
Finally, relax and do not worry! Currently, stress and anxiety of worrying about getting sick is likely to cause you more harm than the risk actually getting the flu, which at this point is still quite low.
For more tips and information about swine flu and pregnancy, and some important details about what to do if you get the flu fever while undergoing fertility treatments, see this article GettingPregnantNow.org.
For more information on health and beauty for women over 35 visit swine flu articles