Pregnancy and H1N1

The night I went into labour I had been in the hospital earlier that evening with flu like symptoms. They tested me for H1N1 and 3 days later the test came back positive. Both Christopher and Cayden were tested, Christopher was in fact tested twice, and they were negative for it. It can't be passed inutero. As far as the hospital knew I was the only woman to actually give birth with H1N1.
H1N1 had nothing to do with Cayden's passing. They are doing an autospy, with my permission, to hopefully find the answers.
Just thought I would share that as I know there are alot of pregnant women right now scared.
I urge you to go straight to the hospital if you have a fever and a cough. I had also slept most of that morning away. Those are the only symptoms I showed. I just thought I was getting the regular flu and my high temperature scared me enough to go.

 

Thanks SO much for this advice! My DD's Ped thinks she had it last week and now DH is showing symptoms.

 

Thank you for sharing this invaluable information...

 

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your story also makes me wonder though, whether or not the vaccine can protect a baby for up to 6 months as the 'experts' are claiming as possible. Many pregnant women who are getting the vaccine are believing this to be the case. Or perhaps it's only immunizing a baby if the mother is able to breastfeed?? through the colostrum and other antibodies the mother passes along. Very interesting.

Again, so sorry for your incredible loss. I hope you are all healthy and that your little one brings you much comfort right now.

 

I have never heard such a claim of the vaccine protecting a baby through the mother being vaccinated just by being in utero at the time. The only way that a Mother's immunity protects her baby or babies is through her breastmilk after birth. So if you don't breastfeed then it won't matter if you are vaccinated or not other than in the fact that you might pass the virus on to them if you catch it.

 

Thank you so much for this information. I hope that you are able to find some answers through the autopsy. There are no words - I am so deeply sorry for your loss - but congratulations at the same. Many hugs to you!

 

Here is what I found on the CDC website...

Why does CDC advise pregnant women to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza (flu) vaccine (shot)?
Getting the flu shot is the single best way to protect against the flu. It is important for a pregnant woman to receive both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot. A pregnant woman who gets any type of flu has a greater chance for serious health problems. Compared with people in general who get 2009 H1N1 flu (formerly called “swine flu”), pregnant women with 2009 H1N1 flu are more likely to be admitted to hospitals. Pregnant women are also more likely to have serious illness and death from 2009 H1N1 flu.

When a pregnant woman gets a flu shot, it can protect both her and her baby. Research has found that pregnant women who had a flu shot get sick less often with the flu than do pregnant women who did not get a flu shot. Babies born to mothers who had a flu shot in pregnancy also get sick with flu less often than do babies whose mothers did not get a flu shot.

But I believe this has led to the mistaken assumption that babies are actually vaccinated when a pregnant mother gets the shot. All they are saying is that babies with vaccinated moms are less likely to get the flu...probably because the mother is less likely to get the flu, and therefore less likely to pass it along to the baby. All the same, it's a bit misleading to say that babies are protected from the swine flu when their moms get vaccinated, as if they are actually vaccinated too...a claim I've seen in several news articles and around on the internet blogs.

 

Thanks for the info!! This actually helps clarify the claims that are made. I was also told that it would "vaccinate" the babies too, but in fact it just reduces the chance of them getting the flu...and you're right, it's probably just because if I (and my family) are vaccinated then we are all less likely to pass it on to the babies. Although I am so happy that my ob FINALLY got in the vaccine and I'm all set to get it on Thurs!