Flu-season immune support: first trimester

By trimester

Weeks 1–13

1st trimester

Top priorities right now: get the flu shot, wash your hands often, sleep enough, stay hydrated, and keep taking your prenatal vitamin. Check with your provider before adding any other supplement during this early window.

What does the evidence show for flu-season immune support?

• The flu shot is recommended in any trimester of pregnancy, and getting it lowers the mother's chance of flu-related hospitalization while also protecting the baby during their first months of life. 1
• The routinely recommended pregnancy vaccines are Tdap, RSV (during a specific window), COVID-19, and the flu shot. 2
• No single supplement has strong evidence for lowering the risk of respiratory infections in adults generally, and the pregnancy-specific evidence is even thinner. 3
• Pregnant people face a higher risk of severe flu illness, hospitalization, and complications than non-pregnant adults, which is exactly why vaccination and quick provider contact for flu symptoms matter so much. 4
• Flu-like symptoms during pregnancy are worth telling a provider about right away, and breathing problems are the complication that can turn a flu case serious enough to need hospitalization. 5

When should I call my provider about flu-season immune support?

Call your provider the same day if flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, or body aches show up, since pregnancy is a reason providers want to know about the flu right away rather than after it runs its course. Trouble breathing is the specific sign that separates an ordinary case from the kind of respiratory complication that can require hospitalization, so any breathing difficulty belongs in an urgent, same-day call rather than overnight watching. Trust your read on your own body. If something feels off beyond the list above, please consult your healthcare provider rather than waiting it out.