Flu Shot During Pregnancy: What to Know Before Flu Season Starts
Consider someone who is 22 weeks pregnant and standing in line at the pharmacy in early September. She sees the sign for flu shots and pauses. Her first thought is simple: “Should I wait until I ask my OB/GYN?” Her second thought comes faster: “Could this hurt the baby?” At fall prenatal visits, we hear versions of those questions every year. Pregnancy can make each health decision feel bigger, especially when online advice points in ten different directions. We’re glad when patients ask. A quick conversation can replace a lot of second-guessing. The CDC recommends a flu shot during any trimester of pregnancy. September and October are generally good months to get vaccinated, which is why this question comes up so often as fall begins. [1] Why flu prevention matters during pregnancy During pregnancy, your immune system, heart, and lungs work differently. Flu can lead to more serious illness, including illness that requires hospitalization. A flu shot also helps protect your baby after birth through antibodies passed during pregnancy. [1] We don’t say that to make you anxious every time someone nearby sneezes. We say it because planning ahead feels a lot easier than trying to make decisions while you’re sick. Can I get a flu shot in the first trimester? Yes. CDC guidance says the influenza vaccine can be given during any trimester of pregnancy. [1] You don’t need to delay vaccination simply because you’re early in pregnancy. If you’ve had a severe reaction to a vaccine or have questions about a particular health condition, bring those up with your provider before you get the shot. One detail matters: pregnant patients should get the flu shot, not the nasal spray flu vaccine. The nasal spray uses a live, weakened virus and isn’t recommended during pregnancy. [1] What side effects might I notice? Most people have mild, short-lived side effects after a flu shot. Your arm may feel sore. You may feel tired or achy, or run a low fever for a day or two. Those symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they don’t mean you caught the flu from the vaccine. [1] If you’re unsure what over-the-counter medicine is appropriate for a fever, aches, or another symptom during pregnancy, call your OB/GYN before taking something new. Our medication safety in pregnancy guide can help you prepare questions for that conversation. What if I already feel sick? A flu shot helps prevent flu. It doesn’t treat an active illness. Call your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant and develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, a cough, sore throat, or sudden fatigue. Your provider can guide you on next steps and whether treatment may be appropriate. We’d rather hear from you early than have you spend a miserable weekend wondering whether you should call. Pregnancy deserves a little more caution when you’re ill. Bring the question to your fall prenatal visit You already have enough to think about during pregnancy. Add this to your next appointment list: “Where should I get my flu shot, and do I have any reason to wait?” We’re happy to talk through timing, allergies, and any concerns you’ve heard from friends or online. A flu shot is one small step that can help protect you during pregnancy and help protect your baby in the first months after birth. Ask your Women’s Integrated Healthcare provider about flu vaccination at your next prenatal visit. We’re here to help you feel prepared, not pressured. Clinical reference [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Flu Vaccine Safety and Pregnancy”
Your Second Trimester: What’s Actually Happening and What to Expect
Sarah woke up on a Tuesday morning and realized something was missing. The persistent, low-grade nausea that had defined her last two months was gone. She actually wanted coffee. She had energy to walk the dog. “Is it supposed to just stop like this?” she asked at her 14-week appointment. “I feel almost normal again.” For many women, the transition into the second trimester—which spans weeks 14 through 27—feels exactly like this. The intense fatigue and morning sickness of the first trimester often lift, replaced by a renewed sense of well-being. It is frequently called the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy. But “feeling normal” doesn’t mean nothing is happening. The second trimester is a period of rapid, complex fetal development and significant physical changes for you. Here is what is actually happening during these crucial weeks. The Physical Shift: Your Body in the Second Trimester As your hormone levels stabilize, the early pregnancy symptoms typically subside. However, your body is now accommodating a rapidly growing uterus. This physical expansion introduces a new set of symptoms. You will likely notice your abdomen beginning to show, though the timing varies widely depending on your height, core strength, and whether this is your first pregnancy. As your uterus grows upward and outward, the ligaments supporting it stretch. This can cause round ligament pain—sharp, sudden jabs of pain in your lower abdomen or groin, particularly when you change positions quickly or cough. [1] Skin changes are also common. Increased melanin production can cause a dark line to appear down the center of your abdomen (linea nigra) or darker patches on your face (melasma). [2] You may also experience increased nasal congestion or occasional nosebleeds. This is not necessarily a cold; pregnancy hormones increase blood flow to all your mucous membranes, causing them to swell. Fetal Development: From Plum to Papaya While you are feeling better, your baby is working harder than ever. At the start of the second trimester, your baby is roughly the size of a plum. By the end of week 27, they will be the size of a papaya and weigh nearly two pounds. [3] The developmental milestones during this phase are remarkable. Around week 16, your baby’s eyes can make slow movements, and their ears are close to their final position. By week 20, they are developing a sleep-wake cycle. [3] They are also growing hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes, and their skin is covered in a fine, downy hair called lanugo, which helps regulate their body temperature. Perhaps the most exciting milestone of the second trimester is quickening—the first time you feel your baby move. For first-time mothers, this usually happens between 18 and 22 weeks. It often feels like a subtle fluttering or gas bubbles. If you have been pregnant before, you may recognize the sensation earlier, around 16 weeks. [2] Prenatal Care: The Anatomy Scan and Beyond Your prenatal visits will continue every four weeks during the second trimester. These appointments are critical for monitoring your blood pressure, tracking your weight gain, and measuring your fundal height (the size of your uterus) to ensure your baby is growing appropriately. [4] The centerpiece of second-trimester prenatal care is the anatomy scan, typically performed between 18 and 22 weeks. [5] This detailed ultrasound is not just for determining the baby’s sex, though that is often an option. The primary purpose is a comprehensive medical evaluation. The sonographer will examine your baby’s heart, brain, spine, kidneys, and limbs to ensure they are developing correctly. They will also check the position of your placenta and the volume of your amniotic fluid. Between weeks 24 and 28, you will also undergo a glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes, a condition that affects how your cells use sugar during pregnancy. [4] When to Call Your Provider While the second trimester is generally the most comfortable phase of pregnancy, certain symptoms require immediate medical attention. You should contact your provider if you experience: Do not rely on internet searches if something feels wrong. That is exactly what your obstetric team is here for. The second trimester is a time of visible progress and, for most women, increased comfort. Enjoy the return of your energy, celebrate the milestones like the anatomy scan and the first kicks, and continue prioritizing your health. Are you entering your second trimester and looking for comprehensive, supportive prenatal care? Schedule an appointment with Women’s Integrated Healthcare to ensure you and your baby are on the right track. References [1] Mayo Clinic. (2025). 2nd trimester pregnancy: What to expect. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20047732 [2] Mayo Clinic. (2025). Pregnancy week by week: Second trimester. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/basics/second-trimester/hlv-20049471 [3] Mayo Clinic. (2025). Fetal development: The 2nd trimester. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20046151 [4] Mayo Clinic. (2024). Prenatal care: Second trimester visits. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20044581 [5] National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2023). Sonography 2nd Trimester Assessment, Protocols, and Interpretation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570574/
