Flu A at 18.5 weeks pregnant and extremely anxious

[Minniemouse88]

Hi,

Just wondering if someone can help settle me after an awful week.

I'm 19 weeks pregnant after a long IVF journey with a missed miscarriage last year. On Monday just gone I went to A&E after GP trip, temp and high heart rate.

I had confirmed flu after a colleague brought into work. I was vaccinated for flu in October but it has still hit me hard and I'm terrified for baby. I managed to keep my temperature down below 38 with cold compress and paracetamol and although this has gone, I have absolutely no energy and sleeping most of the day.

After everything we've been through I'm desperate for baby to be okay. Doppler on Thursday showed baby had strong heartbeat but not having my 20 w scan for another week and a bit and I'm so worried as I feel so ill.

I've reached out to midwives but just hoping someone has some reassuring stories to tell here

Thank you xxx

[Kitkat10]

I had covid at 12 weeks and was bed ridden for 2 days, felt dreadful. Baby was completely fine. Very likely that your body protects your baby and you end up feeling worse. I also had norovirus from my sons nursery at 7dp5dt with my daughter and she was again fine. Embryos and babies are tough little things. Try not to worry, you have done all the right things. Wishing you a speedy recovery xx

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Kitkat10]

Thank you for your lovely response and glad everything worked out well for you. I'm absolutely exhausted with this flu and this will be day 6 of being mostly in bed during the day. Keep thinking I might be feeling the odd twitch/kick, which is helping. Thank you again xx

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely, I had a friend who was really ill early on in pregnancy (first trimester) and everything turned out fab. Especially as you’re in the second trimester now, baby is more robust and I wouldn’t worry at all. I’m sure you won’t feel properly reassured until you’ve had your 20 week scan and that’s understandable, but just try to remember that our bodies were designed to manage illnesses and the like during pregnancy, so your body knows exactly what to do to protect the baby. Hoping you feel better soon! xx

[Minniemouse88 in reply to soccerkt6]

So kind, thank you. Pleased everything worked out for your friend. I know it will pass and as you say, the body knows what to do so hopefully all will be well. Day 6 of mostly bed through the day due to exhaustion,which is completely unlike me, and not doing great things for the overthinking. Thank you again for the moral support xx

[Lelllow]

Hello there! I just had a horrendous flu at 26-27 weeks although I also had a vaccine. Apparently it just reduces your chances of getting flu but not 100% protects you🤷🏻‍♀️

I had fever at 39 for a few days, bad cough etc. and it was awful as all you get is paracetamol to ease the temperature. I saw my GP just to exclude bronchitis/ pneumonia and I did end up with antibiotics for my cough on the end.

However I just had my 28 weeks appointment with my midwife and the baby is totally fine. I feel your worry, but just try to focus on getting better, plenty of liquids, sleep and you’ll be fine. Get well soon! Xxx

[Twiglet2]

I had a really awful flu about the same stage and baby was fine. Xx

[HollyT7]

I didn’t have the flu but we had an early loss with our first, extreme aniexty and morning sickness throughout with our second (age 4), morning sickness throughout our third along with salmonella and Covid (age 2)! Those little beans are sturdy little things! xxx

[Minniemouse88]

Thank you everyone. Anxiety is definitely taking hold. I've rung triage a couple of times and the tone of the midwives gives me the sense that they are fed up of me, which is not a nice feeling. Thank you for all your support, it's helping me feel less alone. Xx

[HollyT7 in reply to Minniemouse88]

It’s hard to manage the worry isn’t it, it’s the worst part, thinking it will all just fail. Easy for me to say now that I’m out the other side, but just keep pushing through. Do whatever makes you feel ok, even if that’s a private scan for reassurance xxx

[Minniemouse88]

Thank you for your support, it really helps coming from someone who knows how it feels. Hard not to feel guilty too about not being more happy and excited. Xx

[Wishinandahopin]

hi lovely I’m so sorry to hear this! I was so ill when I was pregnant, at least twice. I never tested for flu but pretty sure it was that. I felt absolutely wretched. I was so so worried as my appetite had completely gone and I was coughing so hard I would throw up. We spoke to the midwife and she reassured me that the baby is so protected inside and all of your body goes into protecting it and nurturing it. That does mean that you’re likely to feel so much worse as all the energy you can muster is needed for the baby. So just rest, rest and more rest and plenty of fluids and try and have some soups or broths etc or things that are easy to eat. You’ve got this mama! My baby was totally fine in the end 😊

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Wishinandahopin]

Thank you for your kind message. Don't know where I'd be without you superheroes. Glad all was fine in the end for you. Still feeling exhausted and been signed off for a week but gradually getting there. Thank you again 😊