husband is sick, just found out I am pregnant

[Jiffner86]

Hi everyone, just woke up after hearing my partner shivering in bed, he turns round tells me he has the flu. We have just found out I am pregnant ( about a month) I am terrified, I was expecting to be wary of winter time but now?!! I am upset as I suffered two mc last year and I am so stressed I am going to get ill, I didnt want to take paracetamol this time I have been extra careful, not over do exercise etc. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do or gone through this in first trimester? 😩

I had a fever in early my first trimester, then COVID later on but without as mtof a temperature as the earlier one. Baby was fine, now a healthy 2 year old.

I would speak to your midwife about the paracetamol though because it's benifit may outweigh the risks if you do get a temperature.

Nothing you can do that your not already except don't panic.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I can understand why youre anxious, but as you know staying calm is so important.

If this is flu (vs a cold), important you take reasonable steps to avoid… take a shower, try and distance yourself from husband (sleep in diff rooms if you can), fresh bedding for you etc, and clean/ wipes surfaces and hands more than usual.

I would distance yourself from him as much as possible to try and avoid catching whatever he’s got, but if you’re both young, fit and usually healthy, hopefully you will all be ok. If my DH is ill, I usually up my vitamin intake, get plenty of fresh air and exercise and stay away, I make him honey with lemon and ginger, which I also have. I’ve only had proper flu once, couldn’t lift my head off the pillow, had very high temperature and had to crawl to the toilet, I ached everywhere.

Chances are you will get ill over the course of 9 months. The human race wouldn’t survive if pregnant women couldn’t get ill. You’ll be fine. I had Covid at 36 weeks for example, wasn’t fun but was totally fine.

I am more cautious and upset because of my mcs last year. How dangerous is it in first trimester? How safe are medicines/remedies? Can I have lemon ginger and honey or kefir yoghurt? I dont have a midwife yet

The losses must have been hard on you ❤️

I reckon you'll be fine with ginger and lemon (lots of people take it for morning sickness). But you may not end up with flu at all - just wipe surfaces, get your husband to keep himself clean, and try not to kiss him.

If you do end up having flu, just look after yourself, rest, take on plenty of fluids. Speak to your doctor and see how they can help - they should be able to see you through it.

Try not to panic, everything will be okay. ❤️

Op ita highly unlikely that the cause of your mc is related to viral illness or taking paracetamol. Mc are sadly very common and they usually occur because of some sort of genetic incompatibility in the embryo not because of something you've done. Obviously, there are a small number of pregnancies where exercise might be discouraged but usually its fine to carry on as normal.

I would just try and keep a bit of distance e.g sleep in the spare room or with a window open if possible.

If you’re feeling unwell or feverish, it’s safe to take paracetamol.

You can have all those things.

I’m so sorry for your losses. No real advice but just wanted to say that I had both a stomach bug and the flu in my first trimester and my lovely now 6yo is sleeping soundly next door. So even if you catch it, it can absolutely be okay

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Thank you for your replies. It is a stressful and scary time for me

Hi what did you take to feel better?

Sorry to hear about your mcs. Congratulations on your pregnancy. I caught a very bad virus (maybe flu) at 7 ish weeks pregnant. I felt pretty ill but I took paracetamol and stayed in bed and all was ok. I had also had mcs and was anxious but baby was (and is) fine. I was told that paracetamol were fine and I imagine that lemon and ginger will be helpful too. I hope you don't catch it and best wishes with your pregnancy.

Is it flu though or is it ‘man flu’ .. ie just a cold?

Try not to worry OP.

He is unable to get out of bed and had to crawl to the toilet x

You may not get it. Take the advice above of handwashing etc and hopefully he will get better soon and you do t get it x

I had Covid at 11weeks pregnant and at 37 weeks pregnant.
DC is now a very happy and healthy 2.5 yr old. I took Paracetemol.

I also had food poisoning / sickness bug in my first trimester with my older DC, who is now 4.5 and also very happy!

Sickness happens, but just look after yourself and make sure you get plenty of rest! Don’t be afraid of Paracetemol if you need it too!

As a PP said, MC are almost always a result of a genetic problem and not linked to external factors. Most pregnant women will get ill at some stage. I got a dreadful cold during my pregnancy back in January which left me unable to get out of bed - I'm never poorly enough to miss work but I had to take time off. I just drank lots of fluids, took paracetamol and rode the storm. No adverse effects on my pregnancy. I'm currently unable to get out of bed because my 6 day old baby has booby trapped me as they're having a long feed 😊

Totally understandable that you're anxious due to your previous losses, but you've been given good and safe advice from PPs. And the chances are you might not even get ill at all. Wishing you all the best xx

So many reassuring posts. Thank you. Does anyone know if we can eat raw garlic whilst pregnant? I have heard it helps with the flu virus

I had the same thing happen with my pregnancy, at just over 4 weeks. What gave me comfort is that the placenta isn't formed until about week 6, so it won't impact the baby in any way. I was on the internet for hours researching and worrying.

I too had had a miscarriage before, but my little baby came out lovely and healthy and is not a bright and bonny toddler.

It's a very anxious time, but honestly this illness is happening at the least risky point in your pregnany (in my opinion) xx

Just to add as well, i wouldn't have thought you could do anything now to not get ill, if it happens it happens. Easier said than done but you could choose to try not to get upset and stressed about it now, and accept things as they come, or get ill but also have the stress and worry on top. Sorry if that sounds patronising, I just know i spent HOURS worrying, but it didn't change the outcome except to make me obsessively worried for the duration x

OP seriously just don't. It is disgusting and will probably just make you feel sick.
Bodies are hardy. They withstand illness year on year. If you decide to have a second your first will most likely bring home a sick bug or foul cold from nursery which you will then get - and you know what? you will be fine. Just chill out. The anxiety is worse than an illness!

I had Covid around 14 weeks in my last pregnancy, I felt awful. I did speak to my midwife who said the high fever would be the main risk so to take paracetamol to control it. I would try to avoid catching it mainly because I felt rotten enough in first trimester without flu on top!!

I already have a 3 year old who goes to nursery so I have that risk with illness too haha