Flu shot

[Cassiem]

Anybody know anything about getting the flu shot while being pregnant?? I'm 9+6 and I was just curious if any side affects? I normally get it every year....

 

[maybebayb]

they actively encourage pregnant women here to get the flu shot. I'm not going to though as it's coming into summer now and I'm due in May just before winter starts so I'm hoping I avoid flu season. I've only ever had the flu once too so I would just be plain unlucky to get it.

 

[FarmersWife5]

They encourage everyone to get the flu shot, where I live. Looks like you live in the USA, which is where I am from.. Fall is here and winter is right around the corner.. Id suggest getting it! I haven't yet but.. will be!

 

[rubysoho120]

My dr recommends it for pregnant woman but also because I have a baby to help keep her safe.

 

[lovebabyhopes]

My doctor all but told me that we (me & hubby) HAD to get it. It was too dangerous to get the flu or whooping cough during pregnancy. I normally don't ever get flu shots but I will this time.

 

[Cassiem]

Ok thanks.... Can it be done during first trimester???

 

[FarmMom]

My doctor wants me to get it. She said to wait until the 12 week appt; not sure if that's standard.

 

[FarmersWife5]

I believe it is fine in first trimester, I would just call and speak with your doctor about it.

 

[lovebabyhopes]

Ok thanks.... Can it be done during first trimester???

My doctor, who is a top reproductive specialist, said "the sooner the better", when I asked when to get it. I was 8 weeks at the appointment. I plan on getting it in the next 2-3 weeks.

 

[sun]

Never had the flu shot and haven't been told to get it, and my kids have never had the flu shot either. Not sure if I'll get it this time around as we don't tend to get the flu shot generally but we'll see what the doc says. (Though the docs at our practice ALSO don't get it, so it doesn't really inspire people to get it themselves lol )

 

[CoppoLove]

I know two women who got the flu shot while pregnant. Both lost their babies within a few weeks even though they got the non mercury shot. Even though the US government recommends it, it's NOT worth the risk to me. I'd rather just wash my hands and use a lot of hand sanitizer to avoid the flu rather than risk my baby's life.

 

[FarmMom]

I know two women who got the flu shot while pregnant. Both lost their babies within a few weeks even though they got the non mercury shot. Even though the US government recommends it, it's NOT worth the risk to me. I'd rather just wash my hands and use a lot of hand sanitizer to avoid the flu rather than risk my baby's life.

You can go another way on that though. I know someone who didn't get the shot, was always careful about washing up, had never had the flu before, and her and her baby almost died when she came down with the flu. She was in the hospital for weeks.

 

[Joby]

Almost everyone I know who has had the flu shot has got the flu. Ive never had it and I never get sick. Im certainly not getting it. I had an appt with a midwife today and her question was 'have you had the flu shot this year?' No, not this year or any year thank you.

 

[Nimyra]

Almost everyone I know who has had the flu shot has got the flu. Ive never had it and I never get sick. Im certainly not getting it. I had an appt with a midwife today and her question was 'have you had the flu shot this year?' No, not this year or any year thank you.

This is my experience as well. Almost everyone I know who gets the flu shot gets "flu-like symptoms" sometimes lasting days to week, whereas I don't know anyone who didn't get the flu shot who actually caught the flu. Not worth the risk of all those chemicals and side effects in my opinion. I just take vitamin C supplements (up to 1000mg/day is perfectly safe while pregnant) to help boost my immune system in winter.

I personally don't trust all recommendations. I have looked at the seasonal flu vaccine studies and don't find them terribly convincing. Most show about 40-50% efficacy (even when matched to the strains that people catch) which means that lots of people who get the vaccine still get the flu.

 

[Scout]

I never get a flu shot, but did when I was pregnant.(and will now that I have an infant) I didn't have any ill effects from it. I got mine during 1st trimester.

 

[bamm]

I personally wouldn't get the flu shot. I have never had one, everyone I know that has, has actually gotten sick the year that they get it and go 'I don't know why I'm so ill, I just had the flu shot!' There is so many varying strains of flu, I just don't see how they can claim to protect you with a shot filled with all sorts of things :/

Not to be negative, I'm just really wary of certain vaccines. I didn't have the flu shot with DD and I won't with this one.

 

[finallyready]

I have a crappy cold right now, stuffed up, cough, sore throat etc. And the worst part is not being able to take any Cold Medicine for it, I can't imagine getting the Flu and having to suffer through it without taking any medicine. So that is why I am getting the Flu shot, if it reduces my risk of contracting, I'm all for it. This cold is enough to get me down, I can't imagine the Flu!

 

[susied]

Anybody know anything about getting the flu shot while being pregnant?? I'm 9+6 and I was just curious if any side affects? I normally get it every year....

Obviously vaccines are a very controversial topic. My doctor highly recommends me getting the flu shot (get the one without preservatives!) and I will absolutely get it. I get the flu shot every year and have never gotten sick. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine. People who say they do, already had the virus in them prior to receiving the vaccine.

I have heard to wait till after 1st tri though.

 

[FarmersWife5]

You cannot get the flu, from the flu shot! You simply just cannot... It takes about 2 weeks for your body to even build up immunity after getting it. So.. within 2 weeks after getting it.. you may get the flu, only because your body isn't immune to it yet. Also it is not 100% going to prevent you from getting the flu. So it drives me nuts when people try blaming the flu shot on them getting the flu.. no

 

[redlemonade]

I'm not a fan of the flu shot or anything that puts unnecessary chemicals into my body but I am leaning towards getting it. I want to protect my baby, plus if I get sick, I tend to get asthmatic and I'd like to avoid that. I need to read more into it though.