Pain Relievers And Fever Reducers
Acetaminophen is considered the preferred medication during all trimesters of pregnancy to treat fever, aches and pains and is safe to use while breastfeeding. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen , are less preferred in pregnancy but can still be used in the first and second trimesters. You should avoid all NSAIDs in the third trimester of pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ibuprofen is considered the preferred medication for pain while breastfeeding. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid any products that contain aspirin.
Flu While Pregnant: All You Should Know About Flu In Pregnancy
Whether this is your first pregnancy or not, getting the flu while pregnant is never easy. However, when it comes to flu during pregnancy, it is common to run with a higher health risk for both the mom and the baby.
If you suspect you have the flu, reach out to your doctor. They can provide you with treatment, usually by prescribing antiviral medications which are safe to take during pregnancy and help with the symptoms. It is essential to get vaccinated yearly to lower the risk of getting the flu while pregnant.
The vaccine is usually covered by insurance companies and comes out annually around the end of September. It is recommended to get the flu shot while pregnant and as soon as possible, especially if the person is in their 3rd trimester.
Another prevention method is staying away from people who might be sick, washing your hands whenever you are outside, and not touching your face.
Obstetrics in Jacksonville is here to help you with this critical topic, so if you want to know more about it, please keep reading this article.
What Can I Take For A Cough While Pregnant Center
Seasonal flu, colds, and allergies are common ailments affecting most people all round the year. You must always be cautious of any medication that you take. This is especially true in pregnancy and during breastfeeding, given the effects these drugs may have on the unborn or breastfed child. Read more: What Can I Take for a Cough While Pregnant? Article
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When Should I Talk To My Doctor
Although many medications are thought to be safe during pregnancy, its important to discuss any medications youre taking with your doctor. Thats especially true if you have a high-risk pregnancy. If you experience any unusual symptoms while taking an over-the-counter medication, contact your doctor immediately. You should also contact your doctor if you think you have the flu or experience dizziness, vaginal bleeding, severe vomiting, high fever, reduced fetal movement, difficulty breathing, or chest pain. The flu can increase the risk of birth defects or premature labor.
Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Immune Health
Breastfeeding has a number of benefits for the baby and the nursing parent. Your body produces antibodies that are passed to your baby, which then protect them from your cold or viral infection.
If you are too sick or weak to breastfeed, you might try pumping milk to keep up your supply.
Supplementing with baby formula is also an option, and it’s absolutely safe. If you are unable to breastfeed, your baby can receive the nutrients they need from formula.
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Influenza During Pregnancy And The Postpartum Period
- Pregnant people are at increased risk for severe illness from influenza compared to non-pregnant people of reproductive age. Changes in the immune, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems that occur during pregnancy put pregnant people at risk of being more severely affected by certain infections, including influenza.
- Postpartum people, who are in transition to normal immune, cardiac, and respiratory function, should be considered to be at increased risk of influenza-related complications up to 2 weeks postpartum .
Why Is The Flu So Harmful During Pregnancy
The flu can be dangerous during pregnancy because pregnancy affects your immune system, heart and lungs. Your immune system is your bodys way of protecting itself from illnesses and diseases. When your body senses something like a virus that can harm your health, your immune system works hard to fight the virus.
When youre pregnant, your immune system isnt as quick to respond to illnesses as it was before pregnancy. Your body knows that pregnancy is OK and that it shouldnt reject your baby. So, your body naturally lowers the immune systems ability to protect you and respond to illnesses so that it can welcome your growing baby. But a lowered immune system means youre more likely get sick with viruses like the flu.
Another reason the flu can be harmful during pregnancy is that your lungs need more oxygen, especially in the second and third trimesters. Your growing belly puts pressure on your lungs, making them work harder in a smaller space. You may even find yourself feeling shortness of breath at times. Your heart is working hard, too. Its busy supplying blood to you and your baby. All of this means your body is stressed during pregnancy. This stress on your body can make you more likely to get the flu. If youre pregnant or had a baby within the last 2 weeks, youre more likely than other women to have serious health problems from the flu.
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Sneezing Runny Nose And Watery Eyes
These symptoms are the result of histamine release, which isan immune response to an invading virus. Chlorpheniramine, such as TriaminicAllergy, and diphenhydramine, such as Benadryl, are safe to take duringpregnancy. However, both can cause drowsiness, so these are best taken atbedtime. The maximum dosage for chlorpheniramine is 32 mg in 24 hours.
When compared to placebos, antihistamines have the most successful resultswithin the first couple days of treatment. Patients didnt report any relief ofsymptoms between days three and 10. Newer antihistamines, such as loratadine, are approved for allergies, not colds, so there isnt informationabout how well they work for cold symptoms.
Safe Medications For Pregnant Women
Your obstetrician from Genesee Valley OB/GYN will review any medications you are currently taking to decide what is safe to continue taking during pregnancy. Some medications and herbal supplements can increase your chance of birth defects, and your doctor will review any medication you may need to stop taking if youre pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen, allergy medicine, and cold medicines are generally safe to take, while aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided.
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When Can I Take Medicine During Pregnancy
If youre newly pregnant , you may want to rethink taking unnecessary over-the-counter drugs. The first 12 weeks of your pregnancy are a critical time for your baby in terms of organ development. Many doctors recommend avoiding all over-the-counter drugs during this time. Doing so can help to avoid birth defects and other serious problems that could arise from potentially harmful medications.
Most doctors agree that its safer to take over-the-counter medications during the second trimester. However, you should be aware that some medications could impact your babys nervous system or birth weight during this time. Taking medications after 28 weeks is also discouraged, because they can impact your baby after birth. The medications can cross into your babys system, and baby may not handle it the same way you do, leading to things like breathing difficulties. Always tell your doctor what medications you take and find out if that choice is appropriate during your pregnancy.
How Can I Prevent Flu In Pregnancy
The best way to prevent flu during pregnancy is by getting a flu vaccine, ideally before flu season starts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant people get a flu vaccine any time during their pregnancy.
Many studies have proven the safety of flu shots for pregnant people. Millions of people have been vaccinated over the years. One study found that getting the flu vaccine lowered a pregnant persons risk of being hospitalized with the flu by about 40%.
Studies also show that the flu vaccine helps protect your baby after they’re born. Vaccine antibodies get passed to your baby during pregnancy. After birth, breastfeeding continues to give antibodies to your baby. This protection is important since babies cant get a flu shot until theyre at least 6 months old.
Pregnant people should also follow general flu prevention best practices:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes or nose.
- Clean surfaces at home and work with disinfectant.
- Cover your mouth and nose.
- Wash your hands frequently.
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How Does The Flu Shot Help Protect You From Flu
The flu shot contains a vaccine that helps prevent you from getting the flu. The flu shot cant cause the flu. Its safe to get a flu shot any time during pregnancy, but its best to get it before flu season . Even though youre more likely to get the flu during flu season, you can get it any time of year.
There are many different flu viruses, and theyre always changing. Each year a new flu vaccine is made to protect against three or four flu viruses that are likely to make people sick during the upcoming flu season. Protection from a flu shot only lasts about a year, so its important to get a flu shot every year. You can get the shot from your health care provider, and many pharmacies and work places offer it each fall. Use the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to find out where you can get the flu vaccine.
Supplement Use During Pregnancy
Discuss any supplements you take or plan to take during your pregnancy with your doctor.
While prenatal vitamins are recommended to support levels of essential vitamins and minerals, like folate, other supplements may pose risks to your baby. They may also interact with medications youre already taking.
Note that just because something is labeled all-natural doesnt always mean its safe. Supplements are by the FDA in the same way as prescription drugs. Approach them with caution and discuss using with your doctor before starting any.
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Dealing With A Cold While Pregnant
A cold is a very common mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways. It can cause a blocked nose followed by a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and a cough. The cold will usually last for about a week as the body fights off the infection.
There is no cure for a cold, although you can usually relieve the symptoms of a cold at home by taking over-the-counter medication, such as paracetamol, and drinking plenty of fluids.
Pregnancy And Otc Cough Cold And Analgesic Preparations
Benefits Versus RisksIn the United States, about 150,000 babies are born each year with birth defects.7 Birth defects can occur due to many nonpharmacologic factors. Some of the most common defects are spina bifida, microtia, hypoplastic left heart, cleft palate, cleft lip, esophageal atresia, anencephaly, omphalocele, and limb reduction.7 Practitioners must weigh the benefits versus the risks when recommending OTC analgesics and cough and cold preparations to pregnant women. Since ailments treated with OTC and herbal products in pregnant women are not usually life-threatening, practitioners should also consider suggesting nonpharmacologic remedies, such as rest and fluids.This article presents information on some common OTC analgesic and cough and cold preparations available. Each section discusses the product, pregnancy category, information regarding safety data in pregnancy, dosing, side effects, and contraindications. The comparison of risks and benefits must be considered for each individual patient. Information relating to when patients should refer to a physician is included to assist with the decision-making process.
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How To Prevent The Flu During Pregnancy
The first, and best, way to avoid catching the flu while pregnant is simple: Get an influenza vaccine. Its completely safe for expectant mothersjust be sure to request the seasonal flu shot, not the nasal spray immunization. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all pregnant women be immunized .
An added bonus? Your baby will be born with protection during those vulnerable early months. Maternal flu antibodies that are produced after getting the flu vaccine cross the placenta to provide protection to babies, explains Jessica Madden, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and the medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps. Thus, maternal flu vaccine is the best way to protect a newborn baby from getting the flu.
Then, be sure to practice the three simple hygiene rules that have become routine thanks to COVID-19:
Remember, it takes a couple days for infected people to start showing symptoms, so be careful. If youre pregnant and someone in your household has the flu, take extra steps to protect yourself. The first several days after being infected are the worst for contagion , according to the CDC. Keep your distance from the sick person, wear a mask when you need to be in the same room, wipe down surfaces, and avoid using shared items. When in doubt, wash your hands.
Cold And Flu Season Has Arrived
While catching a cold is a hindrance at the best of times, becoming unwell during pregnancy is especially complicated. After all, everything that happens to you during pregnancy affects not just your body but that of your baby. Given this, you want to be careful with the medications you use to alleviate symptoms.
Although cold and flu are both highly common illnesses, pregnant people are at increased risk since the immune system is suppressed to protect the baby from the bodys defences. As such, pregnant people are more likely to experience worse cold symptoms, take longer to recover and are more vulnerable to cold complications, such as bronchitis, sinus infections and pneumonia.
If you are pregnant and suffering from a cold, here is our guide to managing your symptoms.
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Flu Vaccination During Pregnancy
The flu jab will protect both you and your baby.
Pregnant women have a much higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia. Other complications are not common, but include:
- middle ear infection
- blood infection that causes a severe drop in blood pressure
- infection of the brain and spinal cord
- inflammation of the brain
- Inflammation of the heart muscle
If you have flu while you’re pregnant, it could mean your baby is born prematurely or has a low birthweight, and can even lead to stillbirth or death in the first week of life.
Getting the flu vaccine is safe during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. The vaccine doesnt carry risks for either you or your baby.
Women who have had the flu vaccine while pregnant also pass some protection on to their babies, which lasts for the first 6 months of their lives.
The vaccine also poses no risk to women who are breastfeeding, or to their babies.
The flu vaccine is free for pregnant women as part of the National Immunisation Program.
Read more about what vaccinations are safe during pregnancy.
Antiviral Medications To Prevent/treat Influenza
This sheet is about exposure to antiviral in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.
What are antiviral medications and what do they do?
Antiviral medications treat viral illnesses. This fact sheet focuses on antiviral medications used to treat influenza . Symptoms of influenza may include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, coughing, congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Some people can also have stomach upset with vomiting and diarrhea. For more information, see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on Seasonal Influenza at .
Antiviral medications can lessen the symptoms of the flu and reduce the risk of serious illness. Some of these medications may also be used to prevent a person from catching the flu. These medications can be given as an oral tablet , liquid suspension, intravenously , or as an inhaled powder.
Oseltamivir , peramivir , zanamivir , and baloxavir are the antiviral medications used for influenza prevention and treatment. Your healthcare provider will give you a prescription for the medication best for you.
Can I skip getting the flu vaccine and just take one of these medications if I happen to get sick?
I take an antiviral medication. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?
There are no studies that look at fertility in people taking an antiviral medication.
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How Is The Flu Treated During Pregnancy
When diagnosed early, your healthcare provider may prescribe an antiviral medication. While antivirals dont cure the flu, they can stop symptoms from getting worse. Many providers prefer the oral antiviral oseltamivir for pregnant people. It has the most studies verifying its safety.
Talk to your provider about other medications you can safely take during pregnancy. These may include:
- Acetaminophen to reduce flu symptoms, especially fever.
- Dextromethorphan , guaifenesin or cough drops to relieve respiratory symptoms.
Should I Go To The Er If I Have The Flu
- Dizziness, confusion or the inability to wake up.
- Extreme weakness or unsteadiness.
- Fever or cough that comes and goes or gets worse.
- High fever that doesnt change after taking acetaminophen.
- No urine for an extended period.
- Ongoing pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath.
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