Most mothers with symptoms of influenza in labour will be able to tolerate labour with adequate pain relief and hydration. In most cases, the decision to deliver will be made for an obstetric indication. In the event of a critically ill woman close to term, it is not unusual to deliver her baby, usually by caesarean section, to help with mechanical ventilation of the lungs to improve her recovery. This should be done once her clinical condition is stabilised and other potential complications such as coagulopathy have been excluded or corrected.