38 Weeks & Sick with Cold/Flu

I got really sick the week before I as supposed to deliver my first. I went into the hospital feeling ok but the day after I delivered either my cold came back or I had contracted another one. I was really worried about giving it to my baby that I wore a mask, they even gave me some oxygen at night because my nose was so plugged and throat so dry. Alas, the doctor told me that the baby would get all of the built-in immunities through the breast milk and strangely, she never ended up getting sick. So take heart from my story, if the baby does get sick at least it will be way less and you will be in the hospital so you will have people to help you....good luck!!

A.,

If you are sick during delivery (or even not), the best thing you can do is breastfeed your baby. Your body produces antibodies to fight the infection for both you and your baby. It won't guarantee the baby won't get sick but it gives the baby the most ammo to fight it if it does get sick.

Good luck!
T.

REST! I know it's hard, but the most important thing when you get a cold is to rest & sleep and let your immune system do the work. I completely uderstand about your worries, but I do believe that the baby will be okay no matter what. You should try to take care of yourself right now -- do whatever it is that relaxes you, herbal tea, music, because even with just one day of lots of sleep will help you feel better dramatically, and guess what it may not be that bad at the delivery. Try to think of the positive things. Have someone take care of your 21 month old for now, because you NEED to get better so you can take care of both your kids..

Get 1000mg vit.c take one every hour as long as your awake with a glass of water ive used his on my children and any one who will listem it works jenerally within a day all so stay in bed and out of drafts goog llluck A. no hills

If you haven't yet contact your OBGYN and let him/her know about your symptoms and any meds you are taking. It might be a good idea to ask about continuing bedrest, since you are sick and this can effect your ability to function and care for yourself, let alone your unborn little one.

But, also try not to worry!! Just be prepared and be confident in the love and care you KNOW you can give your little one.

Definitely, call/see your doctor and ask your questions...he/she will know best how to guide you through that process.

CONGRATS...BTW.

With my second baby, all the household was sick as i was approaching my due date. On the day of the delivery i was on top of the sickness (humidifier was on, I couldn't breathe, was sneezing constantly. Yeah, it was bad..) but as soon as labour started all the flu mazingly gone away. Somehow our bodies secrete so many different and potent things that i think the moment you go in labour, you will be fine.
Oh, did i tell you: my little one was born sneezing:)-but no further complications afterwards.
So good luck with your delivery. Try not to worry about flu

The best thing for you is rest right now. when the baby is born you should consider breast feeding. A week and a half after my baby was born I got sick and I was worried that she was going to catch what I had. When I went to the doctor he told me not to worry about her catching it because she still had my immunities and he told me the best cure was rest.

Hi A.,

Not a fun or relaxing time for you right now I can imagine. Important to be taking probiotics at this time as well. Best to look for the ones in the refrigerator section at the health food store and one that has billions of the good guys. Take it two to three hours before or after your antibiotic each day and continue for a couple of weeks after.

VERY IMPORTANT - do not do any shots of any kind, especially the Hep B in the hospital, for your baby until you at least become informed of the benefits and dangers of the different vaccinations. This is very critical in the beginning especially when there is illness.

The AAP recommended schedule of shots for children is too many, too soon. Here are sites and books that I always recommend for people to start their research:

www.909shot.com
www.tacanow.org
www.generationrescue.com

The Vaccine Book, by Dr. Robert Sears

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Childhood Vaccinations, by Dr. Stephanie Cave

Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders, by Dr. Kenneth Bock

Evidence of Harm, by David Kirby