Worried that I messed up today...

[silverrein]

I'd never had the flu vaccine before and I read that it's recommended for pregnant women. I thought I was being proactive and knew to ask for the inactive injectable vaccine, however, upon coming home, I learned that if pregnant, we should ask for the themerosal free vaccine. I didn't do this. I called up Walgreens and they told me there was themerosal in my vaccine, but that I should be ok. But this isn't very comforting to me at all and I am just scared that I messed up and now our son is going to have autism because of me. All I was trying to do was be proactive and keep our son safe, but now I'm worried I inadvertently caused him harm. Please help

 

[Julia323]

First things first: Your son will not have autism because of any vaccine. The doctor who had originally published this information was exposed as a huge fraud a few years ago. There is no connection between vaccines and autism of any kind, but the information is still widely available on the internet. Look up current research and papers.

Second, talk to your doctor or midwife, and try not to panic

 

[swanxxsong]

I'd ring up your OBG and see what they have to say. But as difficult as it is, try not to stress over it at this point. I'm sure things will be fine, but I'd definitely give them a call so that you can know what they say and, if nothing else, can rest your mind at ease.

 

[silverrein]

Thank you guys for your responses. I am feeling a little bit better today. I had called my obgyn yesterday, but she has about 72 hours to get back to me, and I haven't heard from her yet. But I have looked through a LOT of things on the internet, just trying to get my hands on whatever information I can find, and it's definitely helped put my mind more at ease today. At this point I'm sure that all the anxiety and worry I've had is probably worse for our son than the actual vaccine, lol.

 

[Whitbit22]

I wouldn't worry about it, what's done is done! There's no evidence yet of what causes autism. I personally wouldn't get the shot but that's my personal choice, there are plenty of women who get it and go on to have very healthy babies.

 

[BackwoodsBarB]

i, myself, have studied about the vaccination/autism link during college classes. i don't blame you for your concern. but, what's done is done and at the end of the day, you're doing what's best for your baby right & here now. i applaud you for getting a flu vaccination! i'm planning mine soon.

theoretically, your body was the injection site, so perhaps your body has absorbed most of the themerosal? also: if you had done something terribly wrong for the baby, you would receive an immediate call instead of a 72 hour wait? please let your mind be at ease

 

[silverrein]

Finally got a phone call back today and my OB totally calmed my fears about yesterday. She basically said that the flu vaccine I took was fine to take during pregnancy and to "stop reading everything you find online, you'll find scary claims about EVERYTHING, even medicines that are safe for pregnancy, like Tylenol!" So she made me feel a lot better about everything.

 

[sweetm]

I asked my doctor about it, and over here there are a few versions of the flu vaccine. Surprisingly, pregnant women are given that one that DOES contain thimerosal. The thimerosal-free version (at least the one where I am) is actually NOT recommended for pregnant women. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the thimerosal-free one, but all I know is that it was not indicated for pregnant women. There was a reason for it, I just don't remember what it was.

 

[silverrein]

I asked my doctor about it, and over here there are a few versions of the flu vaccine. Surprisingly, pregnant women are given that one that DOES contain thimerosal. The thimerosal-free version (at least the one where I am) is actually NOT recommended for pregnant women. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the thimerosal-free one, but all I know is that it was not indicated for pregnant women. There was a reason for it, I just don't remember what it was.

That's good to know. It's so interesting how health/vaccination recommendations can vary so much between countries.

 

[hotmamax3]

Finally got a phone call back today and my OB totally calmed my fears about yesterday. She basically said that the flu vaccine I took was fine to take during pregnancy and to "stop reading everything you find online, you'll find scary claims about EVERYTHING, even medicines that are safe for pregnancy, like Tylenol!" So she made me feel a lot better about everything.

Absolutely!! And, btw, you would get more mercury from a tuna sandwich than a vaccine. It's much better for you to be protected from the flu (and thus baby). All in my opinion, anyway. Vaccines being such a hot-button topic, lol.....