Conception Question

  Dear Dr.,
  I am a healthy 28 year old. No ob/gyn problems... normal Pap smear tests and check-ups. My husband & I are trying to conceive. That said, I have a few questions...
  1. I plan to get a flu vaccine shot soon. Will that hurt the egg? Will that hurt a zygote? or fetus?
  2. We've been trying without any luck for several months now. For most of my menstruating life, I have had pain during ovulation ("mittelschmerz" I believe) followed by spotting or a thick discharge of blood for one day. I know this is the egg being released, but is this discharge going to prevent conception from occurring? e.g., is the discharge blocking the sperm?
  3. I've read that guaifenesin (in Robitussin) can help thin the cervical mucus thereby increasing the odds of conception. Any truth to this?
  4. I have mitral valve prolapse and take a low-dose of Tenormin (12.5 mg). What is your knowledge on whether it's OK for a pregant woman to take a low-dose of Tenormin?
  Thank you so much. I tremendously appreciate any answers you provide.
  Sincerely,  Kathy R.
Dear kathy R:
Influenza vaccines are "killed vaccines": they are safe during conception cycles and pregnancy. Indeed, pregnant women are a greater risk of pneumonia if they acquire influenza and this is a group for whom vaccination is recommended.
There cervical mucous before and on the day of ovulation is clear, thin, watery and easily penetrated by sperm. Following ovulation, when fertilization is unlikely, the cervical mucous becomes thick and a relative barrier to sperm penetration. Since the "fertile time" has already passed, this is a normal change.
Guiafenesin as found in Robitussin cought syrup was popularized in Philadelphia in the early 1980s. There is no proven benefit and equally there is no suggestion of harm. It is taken orally, 2 tsp three times daily.
Tenormin carries precaution warnings for use at any time in pregnancy. Inderal is a less specific beta blocker drug with which we have lots of experience in pregnancy.
Keywords: pregnancy; influenza vaccine; beta blocker drugs; cervical mucus
This infomration is provided for information purposes only and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.