| With the swine flu now holding the potential for a | | | | fever. |
| worldwide pandemic, there is perhaps no one more | | | | Second is continue to take your prenatal vitamins - |
| worried about getting sick than women who are | | | | particularly 1000 mcg of folic acid. Studies conducted |
| pregnant. | | | | at the National Center on Birth Defects and |
| This is particularly true for those of you over 35 who | | | | Developmental Disabilities in England, found that |
| may already be struggling with fertility issues - or | | | | women who took a multi vitamin high in folic acid |
| maybe undergoing fertility treatments right now. | | | | during pregnancy decreased their baby's risk of birth |
| The good news is that pregnancy doesn't necessarily | | | | defects, even if they ran a fever while pregnant. |
| increase your risk for getting the swine flu - or any | | | | In terms of the the two medications used to treat |
| other type of flu. However, it is important to note | | | | swine flu - Tamiflu and Relenza - like other flu |
| that if you do get the flu while you are pregnant, | | | | medications they are ranked by the FDA as |
| studies show you are up to five times more likely to | | | | "Category C " drugs - meaning they have not been |
| suffer serious complications - such as pneumonia. And | | | | tested for use during pregnancy. That said, it's |
| that is often where most of the flu fatalities lie. | | | | important to note that there have not been any |
| In terms of risks to your baby, the greatest threat | | | | cases of birth defects or other serious health |
| from illnesses such as the flu occur from high fevers | | | | concerns linked to the use of these drugs in pregnant |
| in the mother during pregnancy. Sustained body | | | | women who have used them. |
| temperature over 101 degrees, and particularly over | | | | So, if symptoms are severe, your doctor might |
| 102 degrees can increase the risk of miscarriage and | | | | suggest a course of either drug, and if this is the |
| lead to an increased risk of neural tube defects in | | | | case, experts say don't be fearful. |
| your baby - which include life-threatening | | | | Finally, relax and don't worry! Right now, the stress |
| malformations of the brain and spine. | | | | and anxiety of worrying about getting sick is likely to |
| The good news is there are things you can do to | | | | cause you more harm than the risk of actually |
| prevent these problems even if you get the flu. | | | | getting the flu, which at this point is still quite small. |
| The first is to control your fever.The March of Dimes | | | | For more tips and information on swine flu and |
| recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol) but talk to | | | | pregnancy, and some important details on what to |
| your doctor first to make certain it's okay for you. | | | | do if you contract swine flu while undergoing fertility |
| You should also try to keep your body as cool as | | | | treatments, check out this article on |
| possible with cold compresses, and drink plenty of | | | | GettingPregnantNow.org. |
| fluids. Pregnancy is not the time to "sweat out " a | | | | |