Pregnant this Summer?
Pregnancy can make summer days seem hotter and longer. You’ve probably received good advice to drink plenty of fluids, to use sunscreen, wear loose and light clothing, and rest often.
The summer months may also mean pregnant women have season-related exposures. Here at OTIS we get a variety of summer-time related questions. We have a number of Fact Sheets addressing some of our most common questions. You can also call our teratology information specialists at 1-866-626-6847.
- Exercise can be a part of most healthy pregnancies even in the summer months. Consider swimming, walking or cycling.
- Mosquitoes and ticks are prevalent in some parts of the country during the summer. For information on insect repellent containing DEET, visit our fact sheet.
- Pesticide use in the home, office or nearby farms may be more common during summer months.
- For those of you seeking a fresh look to help you through the summer, check out our fact sheets about self-tanners and hair treatments during pregnancy.
If you have questions about the information in any of the Fact Sheets, or if you do not see your topic of interest, please call OTIS at 1-866-626-6847 to speak with a teratology information specialist.
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H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Information for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is caused by a type of influenza virus called H1N1. Symptoms are very similar to those caused by other flu viruses and include body aches, fever, cough, stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. As with other flu illnesses, symptoms may be worse in people who have underlying medical conditions. For more information about the swine flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
Since this is a new virus, there is little information on its effects in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
However, similar flu viruses have not been shown to cause birth defects in babies whose mothers had the flu.
There is some concern that the symptoms of the flu may be more severe in pregnant women.
For this reason, it is important to try to protect yourself from getting sick, and to contact your health care provider if you become ill.
Help prevent yourself and others from getting sick:
- Avoid close contact with people who are obviously ill.
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid traveling to Mexico, where the swine flu outbreak has been most severe.
- Follow the local and national news to find out new information about swine flu as it becomes available.
If you become sick:
- Contact your health care provider.
- A high fever may increase risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, so it is important to treat fever during pregnancy. If you have a fever over 101°F, take Tylenol (acetaminophen). Follow the instructions on the package.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Your doctor may recommend medications to treat specific flu symptoms, such as cough. If you have questions about the safety of these medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding, please contact OTIS toll-free at 1-866-626-6847 to speak with one of our specialists.
- Treatment with antiviral medications in pregnancy or breastfeeding women is generally not recommended as it is not clear if they may be harmful to the baby. However, antiviral medications may be prescribed by a doctor if a mother’s illness becomes severe. For more information, please see the OTIS fact sheet: Antiviral Medications to Treat/Prevent Influenza and Pregnancy or call OTIS at 1-866-626-6847.
- If you are breastfeeding, do not stop nursing your baby. When you become ill, you already have antibodies in your breast milk that will help the baby stay well. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
If you have questions about H1N1 flu (swine flu) during pregnancy or breastfeeding, please call OTIS at 1-866-626-6847 to speak with one of our phone counselors.
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