Key Takeaways:

• Most everyone should get the flu shot and that includes pregnant women.
• Pregnant women are immuno-suppressed during pregnancy making them more vulnerable to sickness and complications
• You can get the flu shot at your OB/GYN’s office, health department or neighborhood pharmacy
• Getting the flu vaccine also helps protect your baby.
• To also help prevent the flu wash your hands frequently, keep surfaces clean and stay hydrated.

St. Joseph’s/Candler OB/GYN Dr. Areli Saucedo Baza explains the benefits for both mom and baby by getting a flu shot

Most everyone should get the flu shot. That especially includes pregnant women.

Why? Because despite your health before getting pregnant, your immune system is more vulnerable during pregnancy, making you more susceptible to get sick and have worse complications if you do get the flu.

“Pregnancy does put you at an increased risk of getting sicker from the flu,” says Dr. Areli Saucedo Baza, St. Joseph’s/Candler OB/GYN. “You can land in the hospital with what may have been a typical flu if not for being pregnant because you are immuno-suppressed during pregnancy.”

One of the best ways to prevent getting the flu is through vaccination. It’s safe for most women at any point in their pregnancy, Dr. Saucedo Baza says. She adds that the injection flu vaccination is recommended; not the flu mist you spray in your nose.

“We do recommend the flu shot in pregnancy,” Dr. Saucedo Baza says. “As soon as it becomes available, we start offering it to our patients.”

You can also get the flu shot at your area Health Department or pharmacy.

Dr. Saucedo Baza says to mention you are pregnant first. That’s because they may be certain expectations when pregnant women should not get the flu including:

• Anyone who had a severe allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine or an ingredient inside it.
• Some people with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralyzing illness, also called GBS) should not get a flu vaccine. They should talk to their doctor first.
• Pregnant women should not get the Live Attenuated (nasal spray) flu vaccine.
• If you are sick with a fever, you should wait until your symptoms improve.

Why flu vaccination is so important

The flu shot can help prevent mom from getting the flu. However, even if you catch the virus, but took the flu shot, you are less likely to experience severe complications.

Getting the influenza vaccine also can help protect your baby – both inside and outside the womb.

“We recommend you get it during pregnancy because as your body produces antibodies, they cross the placenta and they will also protect your baby,” Dr. Saucedo Baza says.

Ideally, you want to get the vaccination two weeks before your expected delivery so your body has time to produce antibodies and protect the baby. However, getting it at any point during pregnancy is going to provide some protection.

“If you are immunized, even if after the baby is born, it’s still protecting you so hopefully you don’t catch it and pass it to the baby,” Dr. Saucedo Baza says.

Additionally, babies cannot receive the flu vaccine themselves until six months old, so they need those around them to be as protected as possible.

Prevention is key

As mentioned, the flu shot is one of the best ways to try to prevent getting the flu. Additionally you should:

• Always wash your hands frequently and effectively
• Keep commonly touched surfaces clean
• If there is a flu outbreak, wear a mask when going out in public
• If you have a fever or other symptoms of the flu, isolate as much as possible
• If you have any signs of the flu, consult with your doctor on what medications are safe to take during pregnancy
• Continue to take your prenatal vitamins
• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water