PHOENIX -- Two pregnant Arizona women have died from swine flu complications, creating concern for expecting mothers at hospitals around the Valley.
Carol Del Principe is pregnant with twins. She’s nearing the end of her high risk pregnancy but the growing, immediate threat of the swine flu weighs heavily on her mind.
“At worst case scenario, I believe it could be fatal to an unborn child,” said Del Principe.
With the hope of protecting her unborn baby, and herself, Del Principe plans on getting the swine flu vaccine as soon as she can.
“I'm waiting for it to become available. I've been asking every week.”
Del Principe’s doctor, Jordan Perlow, said studies have shown pregnant women are at a higher risk of getting the swine flu because of changes to their immune and respiratory systems caused by a pregnancy.
“By virtue of the fact that a woman is pregnant she's at a higher risk of requiring hospitalization for the treatment of the disease and respiratory support and there's even a higher mortality rate,” said Perlow.
Perlow is a doctor at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. He also does private practice work at Phoenix Perinatal Associates in Phoenix.
He said he knows of two pregnant women in the Valley who have died from the swine flu since April. He said the women were in their third trimester. Both babies survived according to Perlow.
“I had the unfortunate experience of seeing a pregnant woman die from the swine flu. That makes an impact even for a seasoned guy like me.”
Since April, statistics provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services show at least 41 pregnant women have had to be hospitalized because of swine flu complications.
The statistics report one pregnant woman has died from the swine flu. ADHS spokesperson Laura Oxley admitted there may be an additional case that has not been processed yet.
Perlow said many other expecting mothers are suffering at home with milder symptoms.
“It's something we seeing now almost on a daily basis,” he said.
