Flu in Pregnancy
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
I am 6weeks pregnant and have just come down with a very bad flu virus, I am a bit worried as I thought my immune system is at it's peak while pregnant. I am only 6weeks gone an feel quite unwell - I miscarried this time last year @ 11weeks - I also had the flu then, I didn't realize I had miscarried until 13weeks. I am very worried and scared.
ANSWER
That is really understandable, I am so sorry for your prior loss. Actually, your immune system is at its lowest during pregnancy, in order to prevent your body from perceiving the fetus as a "foreigner" and rejecting it. It's too bad you didn't get your flu shot this year and that you have to go through this miserable time. However, it is unlikely that the flu itself would cause a miscarriage. Stay really well hydrated and eat what you can, and hopefully you and your precious baby will get through this just fine.
--Cynthia, CNM
Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
