Table of contents:
- Getting cold while pregnant
- What to do when you catch the flu before giving birth?
- Prevent it by injecting the flu vaccine while pregnant
During pregnancy, a woman's body will experience changes. Any changes that occur can affect the immune system, heart and lungs. Not to mention the decreased lung capacity and increased heart rate during pregnancy. Not infrequently, this will suppress and affect the immune system, making women susceptible to flu during pregnancy. Then, what can be done when you catch the flu before giving birth?
Getting cold while pregnant
Flu or influenza, is a viral infection of the breath. Influenza comes on suddenly, lasts 7 to 10 days, and usually goes away just like that. Meanwhile, flu that occurs during pregnancy, can generally lead to flu complications, such as pneumonia and dehydration.
Often people think the flu is a mild disease that will heal only with rest so that for treatment, the flu is usually ignored. The reason is, when a person is pregnant, women are more susceptible to the risk of disease and it can lead to more intense treatment in the hospital. Several studies have found that catching the flu during pregnancy can increase the chances of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight.
What to do when you catch the flu before giving birth?
If you start to feel flu symptoms, or even already have the flu, it's a good idea to contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor can prescribe you a safe antiviral medication to treat the flu. A safe cold medicine for consumption while reducing fever and treating pain during flu is acetaminophen (paracetamol). Other medications that may be safe include dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, or cough medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
Pregnant women are not recommended to do strenuous activities especially when they have the flu, and must rest. Increase the consumption of healthy foods for nutritious pregnant women such as vegetables, fruits, especially those that contain lots of vitamin C to increase endurance. To deal with nasal congestion, use essential oils. Drink lots of water because the flu makes the mother prone to dehydration.
Keep in mind, don't use over-the-counter cold medicines, herbal products or dietary supplements without first talking to your doctor. Because not all over-the-counter drugs or supplements can be safely consumed during pregnancy.
Prevent it by injecting the flu vaccine while pregnant
Quoted from American Pregnancy, women who are pregnant are advised to take the flu vaccine to prevent flu during pregnancy. The flu vaccine or shot is fairly safe for both mother and fetus. You can get a shot of the flu vaccine while you are pregnant.
The only side effects of getting the flu shot include pain, tenderness, and redness in the area where the injection was made. However, the nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV) is not recommended for pregnant women, or who are trying to get pregnant. Because the nasal spray arena contains live virus strains, it is dangerous for the condition of women.
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