The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that pregnant women are at risk for premature birth as well as hospitalization and/or death from swine flu, prompting them to urge expectant mothers to get a vaccination this flu season. Unfortunately, according to the statistics, only about one in seven of these women actually get their shots.

Part of the reason for this is because obstetricians do not generally administer immunizations. Furthermore, many providers are hesitant to vaccinate pregnant women, who are themselves wary of taking excessive medications while they are with child, especially in light of recent headlines reporting the use of mercury in some of them. Add to that the fact that flu vaccines are not always easy to find, and many women simply end up going without.

Pregnant women are not necessarily more susceptible to contracting swine flu, but they are at greater risk for complications if they actually do come down with it. While pregnant women account for only 1% of the population, they are four times more likely than other flu sufferers to require hospitalization and account for up to 6% of the H1N1 (the virus strain that causes swine flu) confirmed deaths. According to the CDC, most of these deaths occurred in the third trimester.

During previous flu epidemics, particular morbidity was seen in pregnant women, who accounted for as many as half the deaths in women of child-bearing age (1957) and were more likely to be hospitalized for heart and lung disease than women who recently delivered a child.

Which begs the question, why don’t more obstetricians simply offer their patients flu vaccines? The answer is not as simple as it may seem. It turns out that vaccinations are not traditionally part of their training, and it then becomes too much of a hassle and expense for them. Furthermore, at least in terms of swine flu, the state decides who gets to administer the vaccine, so even if a doctor wanted to offer it to their patients, the decision might not be theirs to make.

This problem with accessibility, however, may be changing. The CDC is urging obstetricians to familiarize themselves with local sites (including pharmacies and hospitals) that will offer the vaccine in order to ensure that their patients have a reliable source for flu-shots. Also, with the development of the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), obstetricians may very well begin offering the flu vaccine, as well.

These are promising developments, especially in light of the fact that vaccines have the added benefit of protecting both mother and child because the antibodies against swine flu are easily transferred to the unborn child across the placental barrier during pregnancy. The baby can then maintain them for up to 6 months after birth, the period during which they cannot be vaccinated and are particularly at risk for infection.

So as flu season approaches, take the time to be well-prepared. If you have any questions or concerns about swine flu, regardless of whether or not you are pregnant, consult your physician or check out the CDC website for more information.