By Danielle Grant, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - The unrelenting H1N1 flu virus infects a growing group whose immune systems are already being compromised.
Local women's healthcare centers report an increasing number of pregnant women testing positive for the swine flu.
In some severe cases, it's causing doctors to deliver babies well before their due dates.
Since pregnant women's immune systems are already vulnerable to viruses, more and more are contracting this extremely contagious disease.
As one expectant mother says you never think it's going to happen to you until it does.
"When you hear swine flu, you're already thinking the worst," said Idaho Falls pregnant woman Hilary Cherry.
And when you're pregnant and test positive for swine flu, you think the worst has come.
Just weeks ago, expectant mother Hilary Cherry and her two daughters all got sick with the virus.
"They said it was positive and it was like, I couldn't even believe it. I just cried," Cherry explained.
Nurses say they are testing more pregnant women for this strain of the flu and many are coming back positive.
A handful of expecting mothers with severe cases of the H1N1 virus have had doctors deliver their babies before their due dates.
"It's definitely emotional to any mother who delivers early. It's not anything expected and when it's caused by something like this, it's out of anyone's control," said Britni Burnside, licensed practical nurse at Rosemark Women's Care Center.
Cherry fears that exact scenario could have happened to her and her unborn baby.
"I'm only 21 weeks pregnant. The survival rate would be zero, so it could've been a lot worse," Cherry described.
For now, she's counting her blessings and encourages all pregnant women if they get the swine flu to get the medication before it's too late.
"It just might be worth it. It just might be the difference between your baby living and your baby not living," Cherry said.
Vaccines to prevent getting the swine flu are in the state of Idaho.
Rosemark Women's Center says they'll be getting their first batch sometime this week and will be giving them out to their high-risk pregnant patients.
Free H1N1 flu vaccination clinics will happen across eastern Idaho.
Since there are a limited number of vaccines available, the Eastern Idaho Public Health District will be giving them out to those who are at highest risk of complications from the swine flu.
FREE Clinic in Bonneville County will happen Friday, October 23rd, 2009 from 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. at the Bonneville High School Auxiliary Gym (north end of school) at 3165 E. Iona Road in Idaho Falls.
FREE Clinic in Clark County will happen Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 from 4:00 to 7:00p.m. at the Clark County High School at 343 S. Center in Dubois.
FREE Clinic in Custer County will happen Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 from 4:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. at the Challis Middle School at 721 E. Main in Challis.
FREE Clinic in Fremont County will happen Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 from 4:00 to 8:00p.m. at South Fremont High School at 855 n. Bridge in St. Anthony.
FREE Clinic in Jefferson County will happen Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 from 4:00 to 9:00p.m. at Rigby High School at 290 N. 3800 E. in Rigby.
FREE Clinic in Lemhi County will happen Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 from 1:00 to 7:00p.m. at the Middle School Annex in Salmon.
FREE Clinic in Madison County will happen Thursday October 29th, 2009 from 3:00 to 9:00p.m. at the Madison High School at 134 Madison Avenue in Rexburg.
FREE Clinic in Teton County will happen Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 from 2:00 to 9:00p.m. at Teton High School at 55 E. Ross Avenue in Driggs.
