Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it also makes your immune system work a little differently. Being pregnant during cold and flu season can mean a higher risk of catching viruses — and sometimes more intense symptoms. The good news? With a few simple precautions and healthy habits, you can protect yourself and your growing baby.
In this article, we’ll walk through some best practices for staying healthy during pregnancy. We’ll also share about Heartline Pregnancy Center’s Earn While You Learn classes, and how staying healthy during cold & flu season is just one topic among the hundreds we offer on pregnancy, parenting, and beyond. So let’s jump in!
[NOTE: the information in this article is intended solely for educational purposes and cannot substitute for professional medical advice.]
1. Prioritize Prevention During Pregnancy
First and foremost, the best way to handle colds and the flu is to avoid them altogether. While that’s not always possible, these daily habits can significantly reduce your risk during pregnancy:
- Wash your hands often: Use warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public or touching shared surfaces. This may seem obvious, but the reality is that hand washing is the single best way to keep those germs away.
- Avoid close contact with sick people: Politely decline hugs or handshakes if someone isn’t feeling well. Thankfully, if you remind them of your pregnancy, others are usually more than willing to accommodate your wishes. If a particularly nasty bug is floating around, you may want to consider avoiding gatherings for a time.
- Disinfect commonly touched items: Phones, door handles, and countertops can harbor more germs than we often realize, making them even more important to keep clean during pregnancy. Sanitizing wipes are a great item to have on hand to make it easy to keep things germ-free – they even make travel size packs of sanitizing wipes that you can keep in your purse!
- Get your flu shot: The flu can be nasty on its own, but combine it with symptoms of pregnancy (morning sickness, fatigue, reduced immune function), and it becomes even more important to avoid for these 9 months. The CDC recommends pregnant women can get the flu vaccine during any trimester of pregnancy. A bonus? Flu vaccines not only protect you, but they also provide your baby with flu antibodies after birth.
2. Support Your Immune System Naturally
Pregnancy already demands a lot from your body, so supporting your immune system if you’re pregnant during cold & flu season is important:
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet: Focus on good nutrition. Choose colorful fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to provide vitamins A, C, D, and zinc. And of course, continue taking those prenatal vitamins! Balance and variety is key.
- Stay hydrated: Water, broth, and herbal teas (approved by your provider) keep mucus thin and your body functioning well. Your heart has to work a lot harder during pregnancy, but staying hydrated helps reduce the burden by keeping your blood flowing smoothly.
- Rest when you can: Your body heals and strengthens while you sleep, so prioritize rest. Sometimes sleep doesn’t come easily during pregnancy – especially in the later months – so try to work flexibility into your schedule to allow for naps when needed.
- Get gentle exercise: A short walk or prenatal yoga can improve circulation and immunity. Staying active during your pregnancy will also help your body be in shape for the physical demands of labor and delivery!
3. What to Do If You Get Sick During Pregnancy
Even with precautions, colds and flu can still happen. If you start feeling symptoms:
- Call your healthcare provider: Always check with a healthcare professional before taking any medication. Many over-the-counter remedies are not safe during pregnancy. Even those that are generally considered safe may be contra-indicated for women with different health histories or who are taking certain herbal remedies. When it comes to the health of you and your baby, it’s always better to ask than to guess.
- Rest and hydrate: Your body needs energy to fight infection, so these two health essentials become even more important when you’re experiencing symptoms. Try to keep a large bottle of water near your bed or sofa so that you are reminded to keep drinking throughout the day.
- Use safe symptom relief:
- Congestion: A saline nasal spray or humidifier can help.
- Sore throat: Warm saltwater gargles and honey in tea can soothe irritation.
- Fever: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but always confirm dosage with your provider.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a high fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, or signs of dehydration.
4. Remember: It’s Okay to Slow Down When You’re Pregnant
During pregnancy, your body is working overtime. And if you’re pregnant during cold & flu season, it’s working even harder to ward off all those extra germs. Don’t feel guilty about saying no to plans, resting more, or asking for help. If your partner is in the picture, being clear about your needs is an important way to make them feel involved. And as always, taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your baby.
4. Want to Learn MORE About Pregnancy?
So much changes when you get pregnant, and the mountains of information out there about what you need to know, what you should or shouldn’t do, and how you can prepare can feel overwhelming. Heartline’s Earn While You Learn classes are designed to present only the most important things you need to know in bite-sized segments that help you feel confident without experiencing information overload.
In your first session, you’ll work with your Advocate to identify the topics that fit your needs and interests. Each week, you’ll dive into topics ranging from baby’s development, to what to expect during each trimester, to how to prepare for labor and delivery. There are also sessions on breastfeeding, newborn care, and even how to keep your relationships with your partner healthy during the transition to parenthood. And once baby’s born, we offer classes on child development, parenting, potty training, and more. There are even classes on life skills like budgeting and home care.
Heartline’s classes are free of charge to anyone with a child aged 4 and younger, and come with a pretty amazing BONUS: for every class, you earn two B.A.B.E. coupons, which can be redeemed for free baby and maternity essentials at our B.A.B.E. store – anything from diapers and wipes to cribs and car seats.
So what are you waiting for?? Check out our website for more information, call 574-267-5110 with questions or to schedule an appointment, or just stop in to learn more. We can’t wait to see you!
PS – looking for something build specifically for DADS? Our Fatherhood Coaching program is basically Earn While You Learn for the guys. Check it out here.
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