Vaccines, vitamins and tablets
Vaccines
There are two immunisations you ought to have during pregnancy. They will protect you and your baby.
Influenza: You should offer your arm to have the influenza - or “flu” - vaccine when available (it is seasonal). The reason is that influenza can hit expectant mothers particularly hard where it can be severe and especially dangerous. Occasionally, pregnant women who are infected can end up in the intensive care unit and it can even be fatal.
Because the flu virus mutates so quickly, flu vaccinations need to be updated every year (sadly).
The flu vaccine protects you specifically from the influenza virus - a very nasty illness that can result in high fevers, aching muscles, chills and sweats, a sore throat and a dry cough.
The flu vaccine does not protect you from the common cold which, does not have a vaccine. Not infrequently, pregnant women will voice their disappointment that the flu shot did not work as they scored a cold (complete with sore throat, and an infuriatingly blocked nose) a little while after the injection.
If you think you may have contracted the flu and you are feeling really unwell (especially if you were not immunised), please urgently contact Mercy emergency department to be reviewed. If we confirm you have indeed caught the flu we can offer medications to counter its effects to protect you (such as Tamiflu).
Pertussis (whooping cough/Boostrix) vaccine. You should have this vaccination from the 28th week of pregnancy.
Even if you are already immune you should still have a booster. The reason is that your own immune system will generate a burst of protective antibodies. These antibodies will freely cross the placenta into your babies’ circulation. Once born, the baby will be protected during the first few months of life until his/her completes their own course of vaccinations.
Your partner should also have the whooping cough vaccine if they are not immune, as should anyone else who will be around your baby a lot. A sensible rule of thumb is that those who will be around your baby at least weekly (e.g. a parent who will be providing childcare) should have whooping cough vaccine.
What vitamins should I be on?
Folate and iodine are important for healthy development of the baby’s brain and nervous system.
Ideally, you should be on 500 micrograms of folate (present in most pregnancy supplements) and 150 micrograms of iodine for three months before you become pregnant. You should continue folate until 12 weeks and iodine throughout your pregnancy.
If your diet is rich in green leafy vegetables then you may be consuming enough folate. Iodine is in iodised salt, eggs, diary and a few other foods such as cod, shrimp, tuna, and seaweed. If you are eating these and you have a healthy diet then it may be that vitamin tables may not be necessary.
You may need extra supplements such as iron, vitamin D or calcium. If you need any of these, Prof Tong will discuss this with you.
Tablets (and other medications)
Here are some medications you might be thinking about taking while pregnant, but you are unsure whether they are safe:
To relieve pain: Panadol (paracetamol) is safe. Please avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as voltaren, nurofen or ibuprofen (Naprogesics). You can take aspirin but perhaps start with panadol.
To fight infections: Antibiotics such as amoxycillin, erythromycin, and keflex are safe. There are others, but antibiotics are all prescribed by a doctor (either Stephen, or your general practitioner ) who will check that they are safe before writing the script.
Symptomatic relief for cough and colds: Cough suppressants such as Benadryl, decongestants such as Sudafed, cough drops and nasal sprays are safe to take.
Allergies and hayfever: You can take antihistamines, including polaramine and restivit.
To relieve constipation: Most aperients are safe. They include metamucil, fybrogel, lactulose, coloxyl and movicol. If needed, suppositories are safe as well.
Nausea and vomiting: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and ginger are safe. Maxalon and Ondansetron are also safe, but they will need a prescription from a doctor.
Thrush: You can certainly use canesten vaginal cream, and you can gently insert the cream into the vagina.
You should avoid all oral antifungal medications.
Reflux or heartburn: Mylanta or gaviscon are very safe. If these do not do the job then proton pump inhibitors, such as Nexium, or Ranitidine (zantac) can be taken. These latter two drugs can provide significant relief. If they probably need to be taken continuously during pregnancy to remain effective.
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