What you need to know about getting the flu while pregnant
Pregnancy can feel like a rollercoaster ride. It can be exciting for some, stressful for others or an up-and-down blend of the two. You might buy baby clothes one day, navigate morning sickness the next and go through endless medical appointments all the while learning new things about your body.
Getting sick is the last thing you want to think about when you’re pregnant. But because your body is changing to help the baby grow, you are more likely to catch a cold if you’re pregnant. Here are some steps you can take to help avoid the flu and stay healthy during your pregnancy.
What happens to your immune system in pregnancy
Women’s bodies experience huge amounts of change during pregnancy. Aside from physically making room for the baby, one of the biggest unseen changes is that your immune system turns its dial down. This is important because it stops your body from rejecting the foetus because of its foreign paternal antigens. The side effect is that you become more likely to catch the common cold and must be careful about how you treat it.
How to prevent illness during pregnancy
Since it’s unlikely you can live in a plastic bubble and completely avoiding germs is almost impossible, the standard advice becomes even more important for women during pregnancy.
It’s all about good hygiene
One of the simplest things you can do while pregnant is to maintain good hygiene by:
Washing your hands to help prevent the spread of germs. You should wash your hands before touching anything that needs to stay clean (like food) and after getting them dirty or contaminated (like after using the bathroom).
Having hand sanitiser on standby can be an absolute game changer. Don’t have access to soap and water to wash your hands while out and about? Hand sanitiser will do the trick!
Disinfecting common surfaces such as your kitchen counter, computer keyboard or bedroom door handle.
Not sharing utensils or food with your child if they’re sick. This can prevent the spread of germs throughout your household and also minimise the likelihood of you getting sick.
Wearing a mask at home if your family is sick to reduce your chances of catching a cold. You can also encourage sick family members to stay in separate rooms and use masks as a last resort.
Stay up to date with your vaccinations
Did you know you can get the flu shot while pregnant? Getting the flu shot as part of your routine pregnancy vaccinations can protect you from the virus and reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do happen to catch it. When you get the flu shot, you’re protecting yourself and your baby for the first six months of their life.
If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, always let your healthcare provider know. Before getting vaccinated, taking any medicine (including herbal remedies), or starting treatment, check that it’s safe during pregnancy.
Maintain a healthy diet
Adding more nutrients to your diet can help strengthen your immune system and reduce the likelihood of catching the flu. Eating a variety of foods from the five food groups is a great way to keep your diet balanced, while still making room for those sweet or savoury cravings in moderation.
For a trusted guide on what to eat during pregnancy, the Australian Government has helpful advice available on their website.
Plus, if you’re a nib member, you can save on meal kit services and groceries through nib Rewards. This can help you eat healthily (with a cheeky treat or two) without breaking a sweat or your budget.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is vital for a healthy immune system, especially when you’re pregnant. Depending on what stage of pregnancy you’re in, this can be easier said than done. If you can, establish a routine and aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night. This can help you sleep better and feel rested the next day. And if you’re still struggling to fall asleep, try limiting your tech before bed or do some meditation. You can also try reducing pregnancy symptoms that might be impacting your sleep by:
Eat bland snacks like crackers throughout the day – helps reduce nausea and morning sickness
Stay hydrated during the day, but limit fluids before bed – avoids nighttime bathroom trips
Stretch and massage calf muscles – eases leg cramps, especially at night
Try different sleep positions or use a pregnancy pillow – supports your body and improves comfort
Avoid overeating and limit spicy, fried, or acidic foods – reduces indigestion and discomfort
How to manage the flu while pregnant
Sometimes no matter how prepared we might be, the inevitable can happen. While your usual cold and flu treatments may need to be avoided, there are some simple tips to help you bounce back from the flu faster:
Stay hydrated: This can help your body fight off the virus and replace fluids you might’ve lost to sweating or vomiting.
Rest, rest, and rest: This can help your immune system recharge and give your body more energy to recover.
Take paracetamol if you need to: While it’s not recommended to take some cold and flu tablets while pregnant, you may take paracetamol. But, it’s not safe to take ibuprofen (like Nurofen) unless your doctor prescribes it.
Should you see a doctor if you have the flu while pregnant?
It’s strongly recommended that you see a doctor if you think you have the flu and are pregnant. If you’re in the second or third trimester and think you’re sick, then contact your doctor straight away – you might become more unwell during this stage of pregnancy than the first trimester.
Your doctor might swab your nose or mouth (or both) to confirm what kind of illness you might have.
Should you go to your midwife or hospital appointments if you’re sick?
No matter if it’s a tiny cough or a blocked nose, it’s recommended you speak to your GP first to get their opinion on your health before going to your midwife or hospital appointments. If you have mild symptoms, your GP might suggest wearing a mask to the appointments or switch to a telehealth consult instead. Or you might have to reschedule the appointment if you have severe symptoms and need to rest.
Need some flu support from home?
If you don’t feel like getting out of bed when you’ve got the flu and you’re pregnant, then our partner hub.health is here to help. Through hub.health, you can access telehealth services with a medical doctor or nurse practitioner – no matter where you are in Australia. They can provide safe guidance on how to overcome the flu while pregnant and could recommend a safe treatment* if you need it.
Please note: The tips throughout this article serve as broad information and should not replace any advice you have been given by your medical practitioner.
*The provision of treatments is not guaranteed. It will be based on the information you provide during your consultation and whether the GP deems it to be appropriate for the care of your individual health needs. Please note that treatments which have high potential for misuse, abuse or addiction (including morphine, hydromorphine, pethidine, methadone, codeine phosphate, oxycodone and anabolic steroids) cannot be recommended via telehealth.