Health And Fitness : Based on evidence from overseas, clinicians consider pregnant women in their second or third trimester to be at increased risk of complications if they catch the illness. This fact sheet will answer some of the questions you may have about ‘swine flu’ and pregnancy and give you information on how best to protect your self and your baby.

Does ‘swine flu’ pose special risks for pregnant women? During pregnancy your immunity to infection is reduced and this may put you at an increased risk of catching ‘swine flu’ or seasonal flu. You may also have an increased risk of complications from any type of flu, especially in the second and third trimester. While the flu viruses (seasonal or swine flu) do not cross the placenta and infect your baby while in the uterus, the high fever and any chest complications caused by flu can potentially be harmful to your baby.

What can I do to help protect myself and my unborn baby from flu? The best way to protect yourself and your unborn baby from seasonal flu is to have a vaccination (which is safe at any stage of pregnancy). You should also make sure you follow good hygiene practices including:

• regular hand washing
• covering coughs and sneezes
• keeping surfaces clean