Flu Vaccine and Scare Words

Since she's the one telling you that, ask HER to prove it. While you are at it, ask her how so many babies were able to be born w/out a seasonal flu vaccine in pregnant women long before the current recommendations from the CDC. (Deaths in babies and children under 5) have actually gone up since the recommendation for infantschildren. And..efficacy of the flu vaccines are so low, you might as well get a jab of sugar water.  She's telling you that so you will do it out of fear vs  what the medical and science literature says, and it worked didn't it?
 
 

~julieann~ wrote:Since she's the one telling you that, ask HER to prove it. While you are at it, ask her how so many babies were able to be born w/out a seasonal flu vaccine in pregnant women long before the current recommendations from the CDC. (Deaths in babies and children under 5) have actually gone up since the recommendation for infantschildren. And..efficacy of the flu vaccines are so low, you might as well get a jab of sugar water.  She's telling you that so you will do it out of fear vs  what the medical and science literature says, and it worked didn't it?
 
 

 
It scared me but I didn't get the vaccine. I was wondering why she would say that though, if there was any medical basis for mother contracting season flu = stillborn child. I'd think if that was a common side effect it would be advertised EVERYWHERE.

I did some research and haven't been able to find any conclusive information (on flu related miscarriage/stillbirth) one way or the other.  What I *have* seen, and it's fairly consistent, is that there are risks to the pregnant mother of developing further and more severe illness, such as pneumonia.
For what it's worth, I'm pregnant and don't plan on getting either vaccine this year.

I think the concern, and I could be wrong, is if your fever gets too high.

I never got the flu vaccine - I've never had the flu before - super immune system I guess   Anyways - when I was pregnant, I was never told by an OB that I needed to get one nor did they suggest it. ???

Do what you think is right

This makes me soooo mad! All I am going to say is I have done LOTS of research and purchased lots of books written by doctors. I am very confident in my decision not to ever vaccinate myself or my children. One of Zach's first pedis told me if I didn't get him vaccinated he would get rubella and rot from the inside out. I made him an appointment to be vaccinated that day and went home practically in tears. I did a lot more reading before I went to that appointment and I ended up cancelling it and getting a new pedi. My son has made it 13 months and is healthy as a horse! His pedi told me a lot of the things we would have  been worried about shouldn't be an issue at this point. Practically every Dr. is pro vaccine because that is what they are taught and that is what they sell. It really gets me that we vaccinate our kids to prevent death from illness but the number of SIDS and autism cases has risen greatly since vaccinations became the norm.


I know this isn't about vaccinating your infant but technically getting one while pregnant is the same thing and I just think its awful your Dr. scared you like that.

The only thing I can find is at flu.gov and it says "Fetal distress associated with severe maternal illness can occur. Case reports of adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal deaths have been associated with severe illness."
 
Which is not even close to the same equation of me getting some form of season flu will kill my child. In fact, this statement is under the H1N1 header anyway.
 
Has anyone else ever been scared into something by a medical professional before, be it about your child, unborn child, or yourself?

I honestly can't believe she told you that.  Of course it *could* happen but I'm only guessing it's pretty uncommon.
 
I got the flu shot when I was pregnant.  My OB said...it's bad to get the flu at anytime but when you're pregnant and get the flu, its' worse because you can't take all the medications to alieviate some of the symptoms.

I think a previous post was right about possibly the potential of a very high fever causing fetal distress.  However, I think that you'd get treated before your illness got that out of hand. 
 
I opting not to get the flu shot this year and i was pregnant.  Altough I never get it...pregnant or not!  I think you should just follow your instinct.  you know what's best for your body and if you do contract it, that's wy tey have medicine and doctors to help you and your baby safely make it thru

Lyzee, they're only "scare words" if you allow them to be scare words.  My guess would be that yes, in extreme and rare cases of flu in which a mother's fever went unresolved for long periods of time that it's POSSIBLE that fetal death could be the outcome.  Is it probable or even slightly likely?  Definitely not.  It's the same way they tell you when you're having a minor operation like a tonsil removal that you could die on the table.  Irresponsible of a doctor to tell you that to be sure.  But in all honesty, you opened up the door by asking the question and where many health professionals are concerned, that's all they need to walk right through the door and scare the crap out of you as best they can. 
 
You've got a month and a half before your sweet boy arrives.  Take precautions.  Wash your hands frequently, avoid sick contacts, bump up your Vit C intake.  But by no means should you allow yourself to be scared into getting a vaccine you don't trust or believe in.

I think that is very scairy.  I didn't get the flu shot with any of my pregnacies if that helps.  I am guessing that some people when they get the flu then have may have pre term labor. 
 
I would investigate it a bit more if the Dr isn't giving you stats and then make your own decision.  I did get flu shots when my kids were under a year old and had everyone who could get them in the house get them.  But this year we are not getting the shot nor the H1N1 shot.  (I am guessing that the fever that we have at our house at this time may be the piggy flu anyway).
 
 

Meg-a-la-Mama wrote:Lyzee, they're only "scare words" if you allow them to be scare words.  My guess would be that yes, in extreme and rare cases of flu in which a mother's fever went unresolved for long periods of time that it's POSSIBLE that fetal death could be the outcome.  Is it probable or even slightly likely?  Definitely not.  It's the same way they tell you when you're having a minor operation like a tonsil removal that you could die on the table.  Irresponsible of a doctor to tell you that to be sure.  But in all honesty, you opened up the door by asking the question and where many health professionals are concerned, that's all they need to walk right through the door and scare the crap out of you as best they can. 
 
You've got a month and a half before your sweet boy arrives.  Take precautions.  Wash your hands frequently, avoid sick contacts, bump up your Vit C intake.  But by no means should you allow yourself to be scared into getting a vaccine you don't trust or believe in.

 
IA with Meg - I DO believe in vax, but Ozzie cannot have the flu shot because of the fact that it is cultivated in egg whites and he is allergic eggs. I will be trying to get a flu shot for myself, since I come into contact with a LOT of germy middle schoolers, but I may not be able to find one at this point, except for the ones at freaking Walgreens that cost $25. Incidentally, my military friends can go on base and get them for free, while since my son can't have one, I am supposed to be on a preferred list, but will probably have to suck it up to pay $25 since I am not elderly or with an underlying illness...

DanaNJ wrote:I honestly can't believe she told you that.  Of course it *could* happen but I'm only guessing it's pretty uncommon.
 
I got the flu shot when I was pregnant.  My OB said...it's bad to get the flu at anytime but when you're pregnant and get the flu, its' worse because you can't take all the medications to alieviate some of the symptoms.

 

why would you need meds?
 
All  of us in this house had h1n1 flu and we took no meds. We drank fluids, littl/no sugar, no fever reducers(which if you read the medical literature NSAIDS can cause death with all flu), Vit D, Vit C, and honey  were our #1 treatment.
 
Tamiflu and Relenza? That reduces your symptoms by *maybe* 1 day if you are lucky and is proven in medical literature.
And being a psychotic drug...
yclohexene is one of the ingredients. What is that? It is in the Phencyclidine family or PCP (angel dust).

Ozzie*sMom wrote:

Lyzee, they're only "scare words" if you allow them to be scare words.  My guess would be that yes, in extreme and rare cases of flu in which a mother's fever went unresolved for long periods of time that it's POSSIBLE that fetal death could be the outcome.  Is it probable or even slightly likely?  Definitely not.  It's the same way they tell you when you're having a minor operation like a tonsil removal that you could die on the table.  Irresponsible of a doctor to tell you that to be sure.  But in all honesty, you opened up the door by asking the question and where many health professionals are concerned, that's all they need to walk right through the door and scare the crap out of you as best they can. 
 
You've got a month and a half before your sweet boy arrives.  Take precautions.  Wash your hands frequently, avoid sick contacts, bump up your Vit C intake.  But by no means should you allow yourself to be scared into getting a vaccine you don't trust or believe in.

  
IA with Meg - I DO believe in vax, but Ozzie cannot have the flu shot because of the fact that it is cultivated in egg whites and he is allergic eggs. I will be trying to get a flu shot for myself, since I come into contact with a LOT of germy middle schoolers, but I may not be able to find one at this point, except for the ones at freaking Walgreens that cost $25. Incidentally, my military friends can go on base and get them for free, while since my son can't have one, I am supposed to be on a preferred list, but will probably have to suck it up to pay $25 since I am not elderly or with an underlying illness...

 
Look into community vaccination efforts for 1st responders and "high risk" people... those are free.  We got ours at a tent event style thing a few weekends ago and it was free.  It was setup for 1st responders and medics, public service officers and their families but the website and coordinators said they were not turning anyone away.

They say it is because of the consistant High Fever of 104+ that lasts for days.  My sister - in-law who is a Dr. and double majored on Nuclear Medicine said that 5,000 I/U of V D3 and probiotics are actually more effective than the vaccine.  There are major risks to the Vaccine but the hospital is told to push it..

As a disclaimer I do get the flu shot and will get the H1N1 shot as soon as it is available because for me I do feel the risks of getting H1N1 or the seasonal flu while pregnant is significant enough to make the vaccine make sense.   I am also "high risk" in two other categories as a health care provider and as someone with restrictive airway disease (asthma).

HOWEVER, some of the information your midwife gave you was incorrect.  The seasonal flu isn't even active yet, all tested cases of flu at this point are H1N1 so the fact that she told you that the seasonal flu is "really bad" this year isn't accurate.  Recommending you get the seasonal flu shot instead of the H1N1 shot isn't based in science.  So you have legitimate reason to question what she is telling you.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

And there do seem to be higher risks associated with pregnancy, some of these are listed here:

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/pregnancy/antiviral_messages.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/clinician_pregnant.htm

As far as the prevalence I like this information:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/us/

the graph comparing year to year is especially good.  

As far as your personal risk you need to weigh that.  What is your contact with the public?  If you work alone in an office or if you come into contact with many people during your day makes a difference.  If I stayed at home and my child didn't go to school I would probably elect against the vaccine.  But since we are at high risk of contacting those with the virus then I will choose to do the vaccines.  

Good luck.

I *think* you have that risk no matter what flu type you get.  But the chances of it actually happening are quite low.  Go with your gut and don't worry about it.  And honestly. as far along as you are, I really wouldn't worry about it.  The one good thing about getting a flu vax while pg if I remember correctly (hopefully someone knows if this is true) is that your child when born will also be immune and would not have to be vaxed directly to be immune.

Me&My3Girls wrote:They say it is because of the consistant High Fever of 104+ that lasts for days.  My sister - in-law who is a Dr. and double majored on Nuclear Medicine said that 5,000 I/U of V D3 and probiotics are actually more effective than the vaccine.  There are major risks to the Vaccine but the hospital is told to push it..

 
104 is not true for everyone and in the majority. none of us had a 104 for days. We had slightly elevated (102 at best)for 2-3 days. What we experinced is what others in our area have too.

~julieann~ wrote:

I honestly can't believe she told you that.  Of course it *could* happen but I'm only guessing it's pretty uncommon.
 
I got the flu shot when I was pregnant.  My OB said...it's bad to get the flu at anytime but when you're pregnant and get the flu, its' worse because you can't take all the medications to alieviate some of the symptoms.

 
 
why would you need meds?
 
All  of us in this house had h1n1 flu and we took no meds. We drank fluids, littl/no sugar, no fever reducers(which if you read the medical literature NSAIDS can cause death with all flu), Vit D, Vit C, and honey  were our #1 treatment.
 
Tamiflu and Relenza? That reduces your symptoms by *maybe* 1 day if you are lucky and is proven in medical literature.
And being a psychotic drug...
yclohexene is one of the ingredients. What is that? It is in the Phencyclidine family or PCP (angel dust).

 

I didn't say one *needed* meds.  But a lot of people take OTC stuff when they're sick.  Not to cure them, but to relieve some of the symptoms.  I take cough medicine when I have a cold/cough.  For waht you may ask?  To relieve my cough!  I take different pain relievers when I have a fever, head ache or body aches.  Why you may ask?  Because it relieves my pain!  I suck on throat losenges when my throats sore.  Why?  Because it makes my throat feel better!
 
You took Vit. D?  As in a supplement?  You do realize that's not a water-soluble vitamin and can be toxic, right? (not being snarky..just checking because Vit. D is one of the vitamins that really doesn't need to be taken in supplement form when it's so easy to get naturally).
 
Don't take meds...no skin off my nose.  But don't be pulling out the paronoid "meds are bad and don't work" bs on me thanks.

DanaNJ wrote:  
 

 
 
You took Vit. D?  As in a supplement?  You do realize that's not a water-soluble vitamin and can be toxic, right? (not being snarky..just checking because Vit. D is one of the vitamins that really doesn't need to be taken in supplement form when it's so easy to get naturally).
 
[/quote]

That isn't true for all people about Vit. D.  Dr's are actually seeing people in regions where they have never had an issue before with Vit D deficiency.  The reason?  We are being careful in the sun.  That is the easiest place to get Vit D & most natural way, yet most of us use sun block.  Even an SPF as low as 8 can block the absorbtion of Vit D.  I know that when my dr checked mine I was very low.  I currently take 2000 I/U a day, by dr orders.  We will retest in a couple of months.

Also, many people chose to relieve their symptoms in a natural manner rather than buying medications.  There is nothing wrong with that.  We try to do things as naturally here as possible with meds, just like I do with cleaning.

DanaNJ wrote:

 
You took Vit. D?  As in a supplement?  You do realize that's not a water-soluble vitamin and can be toxic, right? (not being snarky..just checking because Vit. D is one of the vitamins that really doesn't need to be taken in supplement form when it's so easy to get naturally).
 
Don't take meds...no skin off my nose.  But don't be pulling out the paronoid "meds are bad and don't work" bs on me thanks.

Actually, they are finding that vit d3 supp's are the best way to ward off colds and flus and that the MAJORITY of Americans are so deficient in vit d which is why we get sick so easy. You're right it's not water soluable, but they haven't been able to prove toxic levels at around 4,000-5,000 iu which is what is recommended. If you were worried about toxicity you could always have your levels drawn, but most dr's don't do the right blood test so it's worthless anyhow. Also, the vitamin D in most multivitamins isn't even the form of vit d that we are lacking (ergocalciferal) it is cholecalciferal found in d3. Most rx vit d supps are ergocalcifercal therefore worthless.

~julieann~ wrote:

They say it is because of the consistant High Fever of 104+ that lasts for days.  My sister - in-law who is a Dr. and double majored on Nuclear Medicine said that 5,000 I/U of V D3 and probiotics are actually more effective than the vaccine.  There are major risks to the Vaccine but the hospital is told to push it..

 
 
104 is not true for everyone and in the majority. none of us had a 104 for days. We had slightly elevated (102 at best)for 2-3 days. What we experinced is what others in our area have too.

 
Just because your family didn't get a high fever doesn't negate the possibility of someone else having one. Last time I had the flu (several years ago), I had a 104 fever for several days.

The doctor didn't say that everyone who gets the flu while pg will have complications, just that some could. That number may be quite low (I have no idea), but it's still possible.

To the OP: I had a pediatrician try to scare me into getting the flu vax for my kid a couple years ago and I will never go back to her. I am not anti-vax, but I prefer to make my decisions based on real information, not scare tactics (from either side). If I were you, I would get a second opinion from a doctor.

Rachel wrote:

Look into community vaccination efforts for 1st responders and "high risk" people... those are free.  We got ours at a tent event style thing a few weekends ago and it was free.  It was setup for 1st responders and medics, public service officers and their families but the website and coordinators said they were not turning anyone away.[/quote]

Thanks for that - I will be looking into it

~julieann~ wrote:

They say it is because of the consistant High Fever of 104+ that lasts for days.  My sister - in-law who is a Dr. and double majored on Nuclear Medicine said that 5,000 I/U of V D3 and probiotics are actually more effective than the vaccine.  There are major risks to the Vaccine but the hospital is told to push it..

 
 
104 is not true for everyone and in the majority. none of us had a 104 for days. We had slightly elevated (102 at best)for 2-3 days. What we experinced is what others in our area have too.

 
And this was confirmed H1N1, after a hospital/dr office swab test?? Not snarky, really want to know.

I haven't read the other replies yet, but I got HORRIBLY sick 2 weeks before having my DD almost 3 years ago.  It was mid November, so I can only assume it was the flu.  I was terrified that it was harming my unborn baby because of how sick I was.   I was assured that things would be fine and not to worry, and roughly 2 weeks later, my baby was born completely healthy.  She was born full term, 3 days before her due date btw.  I can't say whether your doc was stating the truth, or just trying to scare you, but I would be leaning towards trying to scare you.  I know there are instances where this does happen, but I am not aware of it being the majority or even a high chance.  Oh yeah, I got the flu shot and still managed to get incredibly sick anyway.