The answer is a unanimous yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a flu shot for anyone who is pregnant during flu season, which typically ranges from early October through late March.

Pregnancy puts extra stress on your heart and lungs and can affect your immune system. These factors increase the risk of getting the flu during pregnancy, as well as developing serious complications of the flu such as pneumonia and difficulty breathing.

“We highly recommend any woman who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant to get the flu shot every year,” says Dr. Elizabeth Scheff, a board certified OB/GYN of Healthy Woman OB/GYN.

Flu during pregnancy also seems to increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight. In a 2011 study, babies whose mothers had a flu shot during pregnancy were nearly 50 percent less likely to be diagnosed with the flu during their first flu season than were babies whose mothers didn’t have a flu shot during pregnancy.

Healthy Woman OB/GYN, located in Freehold and Colts Neck, New Jersey, encourages all of their patients to get the flu vaccine each flu season.

“It is important for our patients to take preventative measures during flu season, and the flu vaccine is very safe for all our patients, both pregnant and not.” 

While the vaccination shot itself is very safe, and highly recommended, for pregnant and soon-to-be moms, women should not take the vaccination in the form of the nasal spray.

“The nasal spray is a live virus, meaning that when patients take the nasal form of the vaccine, they are taking a weakened form of a virus, which can be dangerous to both mother and baby,” says Dr. Elizabeth Scheff. “The vaccine is much safer, and we really recommend it during the flu season.”

Be sure to consult with your doctor before getting any type of vaccine, especially if you are pregnant or looking to become pregnant.

Healthy Woman Ob/Gyn is proud to welcome Dr. Elizabeth Scheff to the practice!

Originally hailing from Hamilton, New Jersey, the good doctor, pictured above with Healthy Woman co-founder Dr. Rebecca Cipriano, graduated magna cum laude from Fordham University with a bachelor of science in biology and then went on to receive her medical degree from UMDNJ—New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Scheff completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Yale and Pennsylvania Hospitals. Previously in private practice in Princeton for five years, Dr. Scheff is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology.

The entire Healthy Woman team is thrilled that Dr. Scheff is joining the family.

Dr. Scheff’s first day is November 1st and we’re booking appointments for her now.

Call 732.431.1616 or email us to book yours.