Is the flu shot safe for me?

Is the flu shot safe for me?

Maternity

Winter is Coming 

Winter brings snow, cozy nights inside, Pumpkin spice lattes..the delights of the season. But with each dip in the temperature, ready or not, the dreaded flu season is upon us. 

Not only does the flu bring physical misery and cause missed school, work, and vacations, it can cause serious problems, especially for young babies and toddlers, the elderly, and pregnant women. It’s important to avoid at all costs, not just for you, but your family and those around you.  If you’re pregnant, having the flu poses complexities in terms of what to take, what is safe for the baby, and special care.  There’s a lot to think about, but we’re here to help!

How can I avoid the flu?

Not catching the flu in the first place is the best treatment, and getting a flu shot is the best means of prevention. Not only is it safe for pregnant women, it's recommended by the CDC and physicians and specialists who care for pregnant women. The flu shot protects you and your unborn baby, and even protects your baby for about 6 months after he or she is born. 

Why is the flu shot so important?

When you're pregnant, there is a higher risk that the flu can cause complications. Pregnancy can increase the severity of flu symptoms, and pregnant women are more likely to require hospitalization due to complications.  

Having a flu shot reduces your chances of getting the flu by and minimizes its severity. It also protects your baby during their first 6 months of life. Since babies cannot get a flu shot until 6 months of age, having a flu shot while pregnant means you will share the protective antibodies from the vaccine with your baby. 

Additionally, a flu shot can protect those around you. This is called “herd,” or “community,” immunity. Epidemics, or outbreaks, of disease occur when large numbers of people living close together get sick. But when a group of people are vaccinated, it’s harder for these germs to travel. 

Is the flu shot safe?

The flu vaccine has been used safely by millions of pregnant women without known problems to the mother or child. The vaccines are made according to the highest standards and developed after years of testing. No evidence exists connecting vaccines with thimerosal to the risk of autism. Thimerosal is a preservative that protects multi-dose flu shots from contamination with bacteria or germs. You can always request a flu shot made without thimerosal, which are available in single-dose vials. 

The flu shot can make you feel slightly sick or produce soreness or redness in the injection area. These side effects, as unpleasant as they may be, outweigh the risks of potential complications of the flu. 

The flu shot is safe to have at any point during pregnancy.  

Other ways to prevent the flu

In addition to the flu shot, there are other ways to protect yourself and baby from the flu. These include: 

  • Frequent hand washing

  • Staying home when sick

  • Covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing

  • Insisting those around you and your baby (spouse/partner, family, caregivers) get a flu shot

What happens if I get sick?

First off, determine if it’s a cold or the flu. Not sure? The flu may share similar symptoms to that of a cold, but with increased severity and discomfort. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

  • Body aches and/or chills

  • Chest pain/discomfort 

  • Cough or sore throat 

  • Fatigue

  • Fever

If you’re not sure, don’t chance it. Contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately. They may prescribe an antiviral, which is not a cure, but will reduce the severity of symptoms. It is best used within 48 hours of symptom onset, but can still have benefit if given 4-5 days after. 

What can I do to feel better? 

We consulted with Wildflower Health’s Medical Director Christine Picco, MD, OB/GYN, who advises: “Rest is the best. Although it may be challenging to find comfortable sleeping positions as your pregnancy advances, try to get as much sleep as you can. For relief of pain, it is okay to use acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol. Avoid products containing ibuprofen, which is unsafe during pregnancy. Staying hydrated is important to compensate for the loss of fluids during the flu. Most of all, take good care of yourself.  Take advantage of your support system, and let the people in your life help and pamper you.” 

Always check with your provider before taking any other medications or supplements, even herbal or “natural” remedies. Those can have ingredients that are unsafe for the baby. You can also look up the safety of medications here.

Additional support

We know there’s a lot to keep track of when you're pregnant. At Wildflower Health, we want to partner with you each step of the way, to help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby. Our journey as a go-to for pregnancy and all life stages begin when our CEO and founder was pregnant with her first child, and searching for the right information and tools.

Our apps will help you understand symptoms or issues that may happen during pregnancy, giving you quick information about a variety of maternity topics. You can track your pregnancy milestones, share information with friends, family, and partners, and easily access connections to health care. By providing women with quality education, connections to care, and access to resources, our mobile tools can equip you with confidence and skills they need to expertly navigate the system. Such tools can also help moms advocate for the absolute best care, while remaining healthy and productive during pregnancy. 

Look for your app by searching our Wildflower Health pregnancy, parenting and pediatrics Find Your App website. Depend on these free apps, supported by Wildflower Health and your health system, to learn about you and baby every day of your pregnancy.

Sources 

Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/features/pregnancyandflu/

The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists: https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/The-Flu-Vaccine-and-Pregnancy?IsMobileSet=false

Vaccines.gov: https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/work/protection/index.html