Swine Flu & Pregnancy!

If telling everyone what the doctor's instructions were doesn't work, FIB.
My son (now almost 18) was born with what was termed "a depressed immune system". If someone even thought about having a bug & looked at him from a mile away, I swear he'd catch it. When he was really young & it was time for a family gathering (we have a really large family), I would make my apologies with the excuse that one of us wasn't feeling well & that we didn't want to share. We would then get together with the host at a different time if the get together was related to a birthday or special company. After a couple of years, it caught on and people quit taking their sick children to gatherings.

Hi E., Just a quick question. Whereabouts are you at? I live in Pasadena and have the immune system of nothing and Just curious about where you might be located. THanks for taking the time to let us know about this.
C.

Hi E.-

I would blame the doctor :-)! Just say my doctor has advised me to stay home and avoid being around people as much as possible because of all of the bugs going around. Maybe you mentioning that they have actually had confirmed cases of swine flu might even make them think a little bit more about their own health practices.

Good luck,
K.

You could say your Dr. has quarantined you because he thinks you might have been exposed to swine flu. Then they won't want to be around you!

E., please do not consider taking the vaccine. The risks far outweigh the benefit (if there really is any at all!). Please see this site for other ways to avoid sickness such as the flu and colds this winter. www.mercola.com Just search "swine flu".
Best wishes to you & your family!

I would be straight forward with everyone. Remember that when it comes to protecting your child from a life threatening situation, then you can never be too paranoid. I can't say that I want to mess with the swine flu either.

Use your doctor- allow his instructions to be the end all be all of the rules for a safe pregnancy. You could send an email or make phone calls and just say, the ob/gyn said at my last visit that he is very worried about the upcoming flu season as well as the swine flu continuing to make and appearance and for the safety of the baby and mommy he insisted that you keep yourself in as much as possible. When you go to the store take gel and wipes with you to wipe down the cart handle and to clean your hands when you are all finished. By letting your family know up front that this was the dr. idea- you shouldn't offend anyone. good luck and stay well!

Happily married E., share the news and share it the way you know how. You are pregnant and you need everyone to know that the safety of your unborn child and yours and kids health is important. You have to let your family & friends know that if there coughing, running noses, drainage of any kind to please stay at home. You do not want to run the risk of fallen ill to bacteria.

Good hand cleaning is the key. Now, if this is so hard for you keep antibacterial wipes around your house when family/friends come over.

Your life is most important right now.

Just decline invitations without being rude (say you can't make it, sorry) and keep to yourself. Talk to your closest friends and family and I and sure they will understand.

Good Luck!

If they are not considerate enough to stay away from a pregnant lady while sick, they should not be in your life anyhow. On that note when it comes to my health, I dont think I need to be the one being concerned about being considerate. It is the sick person who is not being considerate of others. If you want to blame the doctor (who did give you the instructions) you could do that too. I have just caught and my children have caught too many bugs because of inconsiderate sick people to really care anymore if it hurts their feelings because I dont want to be sick. Have a wonderful rest of your pregnancy.

E.,

Congrats on the new little one on the way. I agree with others who say to USE YOUR DOCTORS advice! But I would say something like this "My Dr. has ordered me to not be around anyone but that will make the kids and I stir-crazy, so perhaps we can get together if we are certain that none of you or your kids are sick. Because if I have to go to the Dr. because of an illness, he may hospitalize me or something to keep the baby and I well"....

Again, your children depend on you to protect them and if other people are not sensitive enough to care for you and your kids - they who cares if you seem rude or paranoid? They are being rude by exposing you and your kids to illnesses.

blessings,
Stacy

congrats on your pregnancy. I too am pregnant due jan. dealing with the same issue. i first cancelled my art class due to one of the students sibblings having the "swine" flu. then the father of the boy came over and i realized that i needed to cancell classes all toghther, not just because of the swine flu but also stomach viruses, bugs going around. we just dont need any of that. need less to say they were very offended but SAID they understood even though they were trying to get there kids back by the time i got my flu vacc. i plan to start up next summer. by then the baby will be old enough to take meds if she does get sick. i have a strong immune and know i can still catch a bug from getting the mail (if the mail carrier has something). do what you have to do to protect your daughter and yourself. be nice at first and if that dosent work get bolder. i hope your people are more understanding than mine. either way were staying healthy! God bless your family. * may i boldly suggest grace caroline for a middle name?*

Hey, doctor's orders! No one's going to argue with the pregnant lady's doctor!!! :)

Hi E.!

Some good news- I was 15 weeks pregnant and caught swine flu while working in Louisianna. Luckily my husband and I both had the next week off and we stayed at my mothers house. We had horrible temperatures, sick stomach, felt dizzy, and pretty much stayed in bed like zombies for 5 days. Oh yes, the good news- I didn't take any medications, only natural foods and drinks and I kicked it and the baby is fine! : )

Mom kept us well fed with home made chicken soup- don't use boneless skinless chicken when you make it, lots of nutrients are found in the skin and the bone marrow of the chicken. We ate an orange a day and we drank LOTS of water. Not just regular water, but hot water with lemon slices in it and a lil honey. This really helped us feel clearer in the head and sinus department. Ummm, I think she also made us some stew but it was LOADED with herbs and spices- oregano, basil, sage... and some spices that are really healthy are cummin, curry, and ginger.

I was terrified I would either die myself or lose the baby with such high temperatures and not wanting to take medicine. Healthy foods are just that, healthy! I also believe in prayer though : ) Good luck in avoiding any sicknesses, but if something does come up overdose on some healthy home cooked meals!!!