Overview

Pregnant women, especially those with co-morbidities, are at increased risk for complications from all forms of influenza virus infection – seasonal, zoonotic, and pandemic. Influenza in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and fetal distress.

This document provides guidance for the protection and care of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, and of their newborn infants, from influenza virus infection at home, in public places, in the workplace, and in healthcare facilities. It aims to make available in one concise document all guidance on pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus infection relevant to this programmatic area.

Contents

• About this document
• Introduction
  • Signs and symptoms of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection
  • Special considerations for pregnant women and newborns
• General guidance for pregnant women, mothers, and their newborns during the pandemic
  • Protection against infection
  • Health care during and following pregnancy and childbirth in the pandemic
• Considerations for pregnant women in the workplace
• Pregnant women who have suspected or confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Management of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection during and following pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care