Protecting your unborn baby from influenza
I’ve just had my flu shot – that’s half of my pregnancy vaccinations complete
For any other pregnant Mums thinking of having it, these are the 4 main reasons I chose to have a flu shot during pregnancy:
It significantly reduces the chance of our newborn babies being hospitalised with influenza (which can be fatal): www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21058908
Studies demonstrate that Mums who had a flu shot during pregnancy were significantly less likely to have a stillbirth: au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/lifestyle/a/31219277/flu-jab-cuts-stillborn-risk/?cmp=st#page1
Pregnant mums who contract influenza are 5 times more likely to be hospitalised, sometimes leading to long ICU admissions, induced comas and preterm births: www.ncirs.edu.au/assets/provider_resources/fact-sheets/vaccinations-in-pregnancy-fact-sheet.pdf
It is strongly recommended by all health departments in Australia, and considered so important for women in pregnancy that it is provided for free to us: www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/pregnant-women
Over the last year I’ve spoken to quite a few Mums who have lost or nearly lost their babies/young kids to influenza. All such beautiful parents with tragic stories. I hope I can help get out their message that vaccination doesn’t begin in childhood, it begins in pregnancy.
-Catherine Hughes