14 weeks pregnant and think I have the flu

[zinrlow]

Hi all,

I'm 14 weeks pregnant and woke up yesterday horrendously ill, honestly felt like I had been hit by a bus. I think I may have the flu.

I'm talking POUNDING headache, tight chest / coughing, achy joints, I just feel so ill that I could cry.

I spent the whole day yesterday in bed and even had to book the day off work which is unlike me. I have also spent the night tossing and turning, I feel so ill that I can't even sleep properly!

If I wasn't pregnant I would just get on with it, but now I'm worrying that this illness could effect the baby which is making me feel 10x worse again! I'm going to call my midwife later on for advice, but I was wondering if anybody here had any advice in the mean time? X

Poor you op!! Sending hugs 🤗
You can take paracetamol every 4 hours - no more than 8 in 24hrs, have a warm bath to help your joints (or regular cold showers if you have the sweats) and use Vicks vapour rub on feet, chest and back to help you breathe

Cosying up to a hot water bottle can help ease your joints and fall asleep too
Stay hydrated with plenty of water and eat as/when you can

Did you get the flu jab during winter or were you too early in pregnancy to be offered?

Bumping in case anyone else has good advice

Keep an eye on your temperature and make sure you keep drinking. Otherwise it’s horrible but most likely something you need to just rest as much as possible until you recover.

I had two horrendous colds- they rivalled the flu and kept me in bed but it wasn’t the flu with me- no temp or headache. With the first cold I ended up with a chest infection, being sick every time I coughed (after morning sickness had just stopped) and on antibiotics when I was 9-11 weeks. Then at 23-26 weeks was the second bad cold/very bad cough/followed by norovirus. I’m now 33 weeks pregnant. I have no idea how it didn’t affect the baby but the growth scan looked ok.

They are very resilient and will take all they need from you, which also means a potentially slower recovery for you. Take vitamins to help you immune system too such as vitamin c and d.

I had Covid with my second - it was horrendous

but ok: rest, hydrate, take paracetamol

Thank you so much all. I haven't had the flu jab but it was mentioned in my first midwife appointment in Jan and I said I would like to have it but I haven't heard anything since.

I'm still feeling horrendous, I've been sleeping on and off all day but no improvement. My joints are aching so much, the usual shitty feeling of pregnancy with this on top has completely taken me out!! It's crazy as if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't even be worrying, but the thought of the baby being harmed terrifies me... has mum guilt started already?! Lol thank you all I'm going to rest up and hope I feel better tomorrow x