Pregnancy My Pregnant Body Pregnancy Health Pregnancy and H1N1: Protecting Yourself & Baby-to-Be H1N1 can be especially troublesome for moms-to-be. Here are a few things you can do now to help protect yourself and your unborn child this flu season. By Tara Richards Published on October 20, 2009 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 01 of 06 Get the Flu Vaccine iStock H1N1 is especially dangerous for pregnant women. Experts don't believe that this virus is any less dangerous this year. Although pregnant women represent only 1 percent of the population, they accounted for 5 percent of the deaths from H1N1 last year. Pregnant women who get H1N1 are also at higher risk for fetal distress, premature delivery, and emergency c-sections. 02 of 06 Eat Well and Exercise iStock/Jupiter Images It's more important than ever to make sure you are eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. These everyday activities will help your body be ready to fight off germs and illness should you contract H1N1 or another virus. "Your body is working overtime to grow a healthy little baby inside you, and you want to do all you can to prevent infection and illness," says Dr. Greene. "This is the most important time to be taking regular precautions -- eating right, exercising, and visiting your doctor regularly -- to keep yourself healthy." 03 of 06 Wash Away Germs iStock Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before meals and after using the restroom. If you do not have consistent access to soap and water, carry an alcohol-based hand rub with you and use it frequently. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. 04 of 06 Avoid Close Contact With Infected People Image Source/ Veer Your top priority should be to protect yourself from unnecessary contact with infected individuals to keep yourself healthy. Avoiding busy public places as much as possible is also a good idea to minimize your exposure to individuals who may be infected with H1N1 or another strain of the flu. 05 of 06 Symptoms to Watch Out For Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms of H1N1: * Cough or sore throat * Fever * Vomiting or diarrhea * Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath * Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen * Sudden dizziness * Confusion 06 of 06 Warning Signs to Be Aware Of Image Source/ Veer Be sure to seek out emergency care if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: * Difficulty breathing or chest pain * Purple or blue discoloration of the lips * Severe or persistent vomiting and/or inability to keep liquids down * Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing or absence of urination * Seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions) * Feeling or acting less responsive than normal or feeling/acting confused Copyright © 2009 Meredith Corporation. All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit