Why is the H1N1/Swine more harmful to pregant women?

[DMK1981]

I am very worried about getting the H1N1/Swine flu! Today one of my friends called me and told me her 3 kids have tested positive for H1N1 and that her doctor told her that 1 out of every 3 pregnant women that get it will die! So now I am like scared to death. I have 3 kids, 2 of them are in school. My oldest son is in 4th grade and the H1N1 is all in the 4th grade. So I pulled them out of school for the rest of the week and then next week they are out for fall break! Could someone please shed some light on this for me! Why is this virus so hard on pregnant women? What does it do to them that its not doing to others?

[Lance06]

Pregnant women's immune systems slow down to care for baby......giving us a more likely change of getting the virus.

[DMK1981]

That makes me feel lots better! Thanks

[mikaleen]

It also comes out to 4% of those 700 confirmed cases in pregnant women.  (I think...it's been a long time since school and percentages =)

[AHP84]

The 1 in 3 pregnant women will die is skewed. The facts of that particular study are as follows:
Between April and August 2009, 700 cases of H1N1 were confirmed in pregnant women.  Of those 700 women, 100 were hospitalized. Of those 100 hospitalized women, 28 died. So a factual statistic is that 1 in 4 pregnant women can die IF HOSPITALIZED.

There is a great group forum called the Swine Flu Vaccine Debate Forum that has all these concerns and info.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Swine-H1N1-Flu-Vaccine-Debate-Forum/show/438?camp=msc&personal_page_id=495239

[akl_cdl]

It's mainly harder on women in second and third trimester.  It is very serious us. From what I understand they don't really know why it's harder on pregnant women but they baby seems to make it harder for us to breathe and it compresses our lungs.  Also, our immune system has to weaken some so our bodies won't reject our babies, which means it may not fight as hard as it normally would.  I have had quite a few family members that have had it and I am very concerned about catching it.  I am being as careful as I can and just keep trying to leave it in Gods hands.  I am due December 2nd and last week I tested positive for the the seasonal flu A & B, not the H1N1.  I really didn't even think I had it I just felt icky.  Just as soon as you feel sick or start to feel bad contact your doctor.

[DMK1981]

I will & I didnt mean to scare you too! Sorry, I am just worried :) The link above did tell me a little but I amj ust still worried! I will keep you updated.

[luv2bmommy]

o my gosh are you serious? 1 out of every 3 pregnant women???? I knew it was bad to get it but I didnt know THAT. now im freaked out. i am recovering from what i guess was either a stomach bug or a slight flu, i dont know i started getting really bad sore throat then vomiting and chills with fever. im definetly going to look into this and let you know anything i find out...

[LauraB78]

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm

check out this link. May be of some help to you. The H1N1 vaccine should be available by months end, children and pregnant women are priority to receive the vaccines. Its a personal decision, but if I were pregnant currently, I would get the vaccination as soon as it is available.