This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
When to get help?


Avoid those with flu like the plague, as well as those who are likely to carry the bugs, advises Heather Wood, a Cape Town registered nurse, midwife and lactation consultant. While you aren’t able to avoid doctor’s rooms during your pregnancy (and there’s a high chance of picking up a bug there), be aware of what you touch when you are there. Heather also suggests staying away from toddler parties: “I’m partly joking, but actually those are the best places to pick up all these infections.”


2


STAY HEALTHY Following a good, balanced diet and exercising regularly to keep healthy may seem like a no brainer, but it’s what will put your immune system (which is already under extra pressure during pregnancy) in a better position to protect you from the flu, says Dr Vincent. Exercise is one of the most powerful ways to boost your immune system by improving the circulation of the white blood cells, which fight off infection. Cape Town dietician Catherine Day suggests a healthy eating plan to ward off colds and flu. “Eat a healthy and balanced diet, with a variety of foods from all the food groups, and plenty of water to stay hydrated,” she suggests. “And be sure to eat more than five servings of fruit and vegetables per day as they contain powerful antioxidants to help you ward off the flu.” Dr Marion


3 Weston, a homeopath


at Advanced Holistic Health in Cape Town believes pregnant women should also avoid genetically modified foods because “genetically modified foods destroy the [healthy] gut bacteria”. “Also avoid too much sugar, to keep the gut flora stable,” she adds. Sugar can have negative effects on the immune system. Not only does sugar increase the production of hormones that suppress the immune system, refined sugar needs micronutrients to be metabolised. This requires your body to use stored vitamins and minerals, further harming your defences.


Image: Jupiter Images


AVOID THE CARRIERS


If you’re feeling unwell, have a temperature of over 38°C, or any difficulty breathing, then it is time to visit your doctor. Now is not the time to self medicate. Many over the counter flu medications are not safe during pregnancy. GP Dr Peter Vincent says it’s important to get yourself to a doctor sooner rather than later: “You can take antiviral medication, but it needs to be prescribed.”


While strongly cautioning against panic and paranoia, Heather Wood, a registered nurse, midwife and lactation consultant, agrees with the “better safe than sorry” approach. “When you’re pregnant, you should generally seek medical help sooner than you would if you weren’t pregnant,” she explains. “Don’t be shy or embarrassed to go see a doctor just because you’ve got flu. Go, because you need to get advice on which medications you can take when you’re pregnant, and also to make absolutely sure it’s not something more serious.”


WHAT YOU CAN/CANNOT TAKE


IMMUNE BOOSTERS SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN?


ARE


“IMMUNE BOOSTERS ARE VITAMINS THAT ARE TAKEN TO BOOST IMMUNITY. NONE ARE REALLY PROVEN TO HAVE AN EFFECT. THERE’S BEEN VERY LITTLE TRIAL WORK DONE ON ANY OF THOSE IMMUNE BOOSTERS, SO THEIR EFFICACY IS QUESTIONABLE,” SAYS GP DR PETER VINCENT. “TAKING IMMUNE BOOSTERS IS A PERSONAL CHOICE. BUT I’D SAY THAT AS LONG AS YOU’RE TAKING GOOD VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS, LIKE FOLIC ACID AND OTHERS COMMONLY PRESCRIBED FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, THAT’S SUFFICIENT.”


NATURAL REMEDIES? ARE THEY SAFE?


WHAT ABOUT


JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS “NATURAL” DOES NOT MEAN IT’S SAFE, ESPECIALLY NOT FOR PREGNANT WOMEN. AS HOMEOPATH MARION WESTON POINTS OUT, “MOST HOMEOPATHIC HERBS ARE NOT ALLOWED DURING PREGNANCY.” DIETICIAN CATHERINE DAY SAYS IT’S BEST TO BE CAUTIOUS: “I WOULD NOT RECOMMENDED ANY NATURAL OR HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS WITHOUT THE GUIDANCE OF A DOCTOR. SOME NATURAL REMEDIES CAN CAUSE SIDE EFFECTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TAKEN WITH OTHER MEDICATION. ALWAYS TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR – THEY KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY.”


CAN I TAKE OVER THE COUNTER FLU MEDS AND/ OR PAIN KILLERS?


“IT’S TRICKY BECAUSE YOU CAN’T TAKE THE REGULAR COLD AND FLU REMEDIES, LIKE IBUPROFEN. YOU CAN TAKE A PANADO, BUT NOT A LOT ELSE,” SAYS HEATHER WOOD, A REGISTERED NURSE, MIDWIFE AND LACTATION CONSULTANT. SHE RECOMMENDS CONSULTING WITH YOUR GP OR GYNAE BEFORE


TAKING ANYTHING, OR AT THE VERY LEAST ASKING A PHARMACIST FOR THEIR ADVICE.


IS THE FLU VACCINE SAFE FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN?


THE FLU VACCINE IS SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE PAST THE FIRST TRIMESTER. “GETTING THE FLU VACCINE IS QUITE ESSENTIAL,” SAYS DR VINCENT. “AFTER THE 12 WEEK PERIOD, A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD GET VACCINATED. THE SEASONAL VACCINE USUALLY BECOMES AVAILABLE AT THE END OF FEBRUARY OR MARCH. THERE ARE NO RISKS ASSOCIATED FOR THE FOETUS.” HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE HAD A BAD REACTION IN THE PAST, OR YOU HAVE AN EGG ALLERGY, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.


JUNE/JULY 2015 37


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116