Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 FAQs - Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women

Are pregnant women able to get the H1N1 vaccine? Learn more about what to do if you are breastfeeding and want the vaccine, where pregnant women should go for assessments, and what vaccine is best for you.

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

Should I be concerned if I am pregnant and have suspected/confirmed symptoms of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

Pregnant women with confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection should talk to their Doctor about the increased risk of severe illness and influenza-related complications and antiviral treatment options.

How soon do I need to be treated if I have Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

Discuss this with your Doctor. Treatment should ideally be initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset or as soon as possible, but may be considered after 48 hours of onset of illness in severe cases.

If I am pregnant do I need to be treated if I am a close contact or household contact of a confirmed case of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

Public Health recommends early treatment of pregnant women who are close or household contacts of confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and need to speak with their doctor about antiviral treatment options.

What is the recommended treatment for pregnant women with H1N1 flu virus or influenza-like illness?

PHAC recommends Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for treatment of all pregnant women who develop influenza-like ( ILI) symptoms in their second and third trimesters or within four weeks after giving birth. Treatment is recommended early and within 48 hours of symptoms starting.

Can you give an example of the types of crowds pregnant women should avoid?

It's important that people continue their daily lives during the pandemic. Pregnant women do not need to avoid going to work, or community social events if they are healthy. They should avoid crowds, where there is little control over personal contact, like a rock concert, or a crowded subway car. If it is not possible to avoid these situations, extra precautions should be taken in terms of frequent handwashing to avoid picking up the virus. Pregnant women might consider carrying hand sanitizer for this purpose.

Why is it so important for pregnant women to seek medical attention if they have flu-like symptoms?

Antiviral treatment is most effective if it is administered within 48 hours of the onset of flu-like symptoms. Antivirals help to lessen the severity of the symptoms and the length of illness. While there is still some uncertainty of the effects of antivirals on illness associated with the influenza A H1N1 virus it is assumed the earlier a pregnant woman seeks treatment, the less severe her illness will be, and the less likely she will suffer complications.

Breastfeeding

How do I protect myself and baby from getting Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

  • Limit close contact of the infant to non-caregivers, and avoid taking the infant out into crowds.
  • Good hygiene measures should be practiced:
    • wash adult and infant hands frequently with soap and water, especially after infants place their hands in theirs or others’ mouths
    • limit sharing of toys and other items that have been in infants’ mouths, and cleaning them after use
    • keep pacifiers out of adults’ mouths or other infants’ mouths prior to giving to the infant

How do I look after myself if I have confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

Cover your mouth when coughing –use a Kleenex or your sleeve, practice good hand washing, and consider using a mask when breastfeeding to protect your infant from infection. Avoid coughing or sneezing into the infant’s face.

Can I still breastfeed if I have Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

Yes, continue to breastfeed. The risk of giving it to the baby through breast milk is unknown but thought to be very rare. You can even increase feeding because breastfeeding can limit the severity of infection in infants.

Can I breastfeed if my baby has Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

Baby’s who are ill with confirmed/probable/suspect Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 should continue to breastfeed because breastfeeding can limit the severity of all infection in infants.

What if I am too sick to breastfeed or my baby is to sick to breastfeed?

If mother or infant are too sick to breastfeed, breast milk should be pumped and given in a bottle to the infant.

If a woman receives antiviral treatment while nursing, can she continue to breastfeed?

Yes. Both Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) are considered to be compatible with breastfeeding Low dosages of antiviral are passed to the baby through breastmilk. It is recommended that women continue to breastfeed their baby when taking antiviral medications.