The Influenza A H1N1 pandemic (A H1N1) occurred between June 2009 and August 
2010. Although the pandemic is now over, the virus has emerged as the 
predominant strain in the current seasonal influenza phase in the northern 
hemisphere. The A H1N1 influenza is a novel strain of the influenza A virus and 
is widely known as swine flu. The virus contains a mixture of genetic material 
from human, pig and bird flu virus. It is a new variety of flu which people have 
not had much immunity to. Much has been learnt from the Pandemic of 2009/2010 
but the messages about vaccination and treatment seem to be taken slowly by the 
clinical profession. Most people affected by the virus, including pregnant 
women, suffer a mild viral illness, and make a full recovery. The median 
duration of illness is around seven days. This influenza typically affects the 
younger age group i.e. from the ages of 5-65 years. Current experience shows 
that the age group experiencing increased morbidity and mortality rates are in 
those under 65 years of age. Pregnant women, because of their altered immunity 
and physiological adaptations, are at higher risk of developing pulmonary 
complications, especially in the second and third trimesters. In the United 
Kingdom, twelve maternal deaths were reported to be associated with the H1N1 
virus during the pandemic and clear avoidable factors were identified (Modder, 
Review of Maternal Deaths in the UK related to A H1N1 2009 influenza (CMACE). 
www.cmace.org.uk, 2010). The pregnancy outcomes were also poor for women who 
were affected by the virus with a fivefold increase in the perinatal mortality 
rate and threefold increase in the preterm delivery rate (Yates et al. Health 
Technol Assess 14(34):109-182, 2010). There continues to be a low uptake of the 
flu vaccine and commencement of antiviral treatment for pregnant women.