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Our Cancellation Policy
At Partners for Womens Health our physicians are committed to seeing all patients who require an appointment the same day. In an effort to better serve all patients we have implemented a cancellation policy. If you are not able to keep your appointment please notify us 24 hours in advance to avoid a $25.00 Missed Appointment Fee. |
YOU SHOULD KNOW
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Pregnant? Concerned about the H1NI Vaccine? Read On...
Some pregnant women are concerned about the safety of the 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu vaccines. Vaccination is one of the safest things you can do for yourself and your baby. Both shots protect your baby from getting the flu, although it’s important to note that your baby cannot get the flu shot until six months of age.
The seasonal flu vaccine has been given safely to millions of pregnant women over the past 45 years. Flu shots have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies. The 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is made the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine. The type of mercury used in some vaccines has not been shown to be harmful to pregnant women or their unborn babies. Mercury has not been found to cause autism.
However, if you are still concerned, there is an H1N1 shot without mercury (check for availability in your area). The risk for a pregnant woman and her unborn baby of getting sick with the flu is far greater than any risks associated with being vaccinated.
If you did not get the flu vaccines during pregnancy, you should still get them even if you are breast feeding. This will help protect you and your baby from getting the flu.
The information below is provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It answers key questions regarding the H1N1 Flu and pregnancy, for women who are nursing, and for the public in general. If you have additional questions, ask your doctor.
Questions on the flu vaccines--for regular flu, and for H1N1--should be discussed with your regular doctor.
What if I get the H1N1 flu and I’m pregnant?
The Centers for Disease Control have stated that they don’t know yet if this flu virus will cause pregnant women to have a greater chance of getting sick or developing serious problems. There is also no information yet on how the virus affects the unborn baby.
However, the CDC states that even with the regular flu, pregnant women are more likely to get sick than others, and to have more serious problems. These problems may include early labor, or serious pneumonia. Therefore, the risk of all flu viruses should be taken seriously. The positive news is there are easy steps you can take to protect yourself, and your family, against flu viruses.
What can I do to protect myself, my baby, and my family?
Follow these simple steps, and advise family, friends, and colleagues to do the same. These efforts will help stop the spread of germs.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze into your sleeve.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based gel cleaners are also good to use.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people. (If you are pregnant, and you live, or have close contact, with someone who has H1N1 flu, talk to your doctor about medicines to prevent flu.)
- Have a plan to care for sick family members. If you are pregnant, is there another family member who can be the temporary caregiver?
- Stock up on household, health, and emergency supplies, such as water, Tylenol, and nonperishable foods, so you won’t have to go out if you are ill, and you are prepared if a family member becomes ill.
Follow these guidelines for the best way to wash your hands. Teach your family as well.
If using soap and water:
- Use warm water
- Wash for 15 to 20 seconds
If using alcohol-based gel cleaner:
- Don’t add water.
- Rub the gel on your hands until it dries.
What are the symptoms of H1N1?
Knowing flu symptoms, and getting treatment early, can help.
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Chills and fatigue
- Sometimes, diarrhea and vomiting
What should I do if I get sick?
- If there is HIN1 flu in your community, pay extra attention to your body and how you are feeling.
- If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home, limit contact with others, and contact your doctor. Your doctor will decide if testing or treatment is needed. Tests may include a nasal swab--which is best to do within the first 4-5 days of getting sick. Like regular flu, H1N1 flu may make other medical problems worse.
- If you are alone at any time, have someone check in with you often if you are feeling ill. This is always a good idea any time you are sick--and not just with the flu.
- If you have close contact with someone who has H1N1 flu, or is being treated for exposure to H1N1 flu, contact your doctor to discuss whether you need treatment to reduce your chances of getting the flu.
How is H1N1 flu treated?
- Treat any fever right away. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is the best treatment of fever in pregnancy.
- Drink plenty of fluids to replace those you lose when you are sick.
- Your doctor will decide if you need antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Antiviral drugs are prescription pills, liquids, or inhalers that fight against the flu by keeping the germs from growing in your body. These medicines can make you feel better faster, and make your flu symptoms milder.
- These antiviral medications work best when started soon after symptoms begin (within 2 days), but they may also be given to very sick or high risk people (like pregnant women, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems), even after 48 hours. Antiviral treatments are taken for 5 days.
- There is little information about the effect of antiviral drugs on pregnant women or their babies, but no serious side effects have been reported. If you do think you have had a side effect to an antiviral drug, call your doctor right away.
When should I get emergency medical care?
If you have any of these signs, seek medical care right away:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Decreased or no movement of your baby
- A high fever that is not responding to Tylenol
How should I feed my baby?
Flu can be very serious in young babies. Babies who are breastfed do not get as sick, and are sick less often from the flu than babies who are not breastfed.
Breastfeeding protects babies. Breast milk passes on antibodies from the mother to the baby. These antibodies help fight infection.
Is it okay to breastfeed my baby if I am sick?
- A mother’s milk is made to fight diseases in her baby. This is really important for young babies whose immune systems are still growing.
- Do not stop breastfeeding if you are ill. Breastfeed early and often. Limit formula feeds if you can. This will help protect your baby from infection.
- Be careful not to cough or sneeze in your baby’s face.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
- Your doctor might ask you to wear a mask to keep from spreading this new virus to your baby.
- If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump your milk and have someone give the expressed milk to your baby.
Is it okay to take medicine to treat or prevent H1N1 flu while breastfeeding?
Yes; mothers who are breastfeeding can continue to nurse their babies while being treated for flu.
Other Flu Prevention Steps
- Get your rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially those rich in vitamins, like orange juice.
- Eat healthy--lots of fruits, vegetables, protein
- Sanitize the surfaces of things like grocery carts and gym equipment; wash your hands after handling money.
- Avoid crowds, and being around those who are ill, if possible.
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