If you're pregnant, you should be sure to get fully vaccinated against the flu this year to protect both yourself and your baby from both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 (swine) flu, say experts from eight leading national maternal and infant health organizations.

These 8 organizations—the March of Dimes, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, the Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine—together released a joint statement urging pregnant women to get vaccindated because the H1N1 virus has proven to be especially dangerous to pregnant women.

The normal changes of pregnancy make pregnant women at increased risk of the harmful effects of flu infection, the groups say.


You may be reluctant to get vaccinated but you should know that years of research have shown that vaccination during any trimester of pregnancy is safe for both mom and baby. Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, says, "We urge every pregnant woman to discuss influenza immunization with her health care provider because the risk of serious illness during pregnancy is substantial. It is important to note that the vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials."

In addition to getting immunized before the flu season for both the seasonal and the H1N1 viruses, practice good hygiene habits, such as hand-washing and avoiding others who are sick, to prevent the virus from spreading. If you're pregnant and you develop flu-like symptoms you should quickly contact your health care provider so that you can begin treatment immediately. Depending on whether you've been exposed to influenza or are experiencing influenza your healthcare provider can put you on either a preventative or treatment dose of an antiviral.