Chelsea’s chat came through late on a Wednesday afternoon: “Hi, I’m 23 weeks pregnant and have plans to visit my family in a different state this holiday season. My sister just had a baby and is breastfeeding, and my grandparents will also be there, so I want to be as safe as possible with COVID-19 still spreading. What do you think I should do?” With Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa all quickly approaching, questions like this are coming into our chat service more frequently. …
The Baby Blog: Vaccine Preventable Illnesses
Pregnant & the Flu Vaccine? Why It’s More Important Than Ever during the COVID-19 Pandemic
“I just found out I am pregnant. I’ve heard that it is really important to get the flu shot this fall, but is it still OK now that I am pregnant?” The woman on the other end of the phone line sounded cautious and concerned. I told her, “I’m so glad you called to ask about this. The influenza vaccination may be even more important for pregnant women. The coronavirus pandemic has given us a lot to worry about without adding influenza infections to the mix. Let …
Vaccines
This sheet talks about exposure to vaccines in a pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What are vaccines? Vaccines help protect you from diseases. They are made from killed or weakened bacteria or viruses. The vaccines cause your body’s immune system to make antibodies against these bacteria or viruses. Once these antibodies are made, your body has an easier job of stopping you from getting the …
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (Flu Shot)
This sheet talks about exposure to the flu shot in a pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is influenza? Influenza is commonly called the “flu”. It is an infection of the respiratory (breathing) tract. The symptoms of the flu are fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion (stuffy nose), runny nose, sore throat, and feeling tired (fatigue). Influenza sometimes causes …
Planning a Healthy Pregnancy
Tanya called in on a Monday morning. “I’m getting married in a few months and we want to start trying to get pregnant right away. What should I be doing now to have the best chance of a healthy baby?” Preconception health and pregnancy planning present a terrific opportunity to assess a wide range of factors that can give your baby the best start. This blog will outline the things to consider, as I relayed to Tanya: Your Personal Health Are you generally healthy? If you already get …
