Flu Shot- ?

Wed Oct 03, 2012 10:41 am

I've been wrestling with the pros and cons of getting a flu shot this year. Here's what I know so far...

- I know most doctors recommend that pregnant women get the shot, because the effects of the flu can be harmful to the baby and can even cause miscarriage (dehydration, etc).
- I know that it's possible to get the shot without thimerasol in it (mercury).
- I know I can't catch the flu from getting the shot.
- I know that flu shots aren't a 100% guarantee against getting the flu since it's developed each year using the strains that *might* be present this flu season
- I know that babies are considered too small to get the shot until they're 6 months or a year (can't remember which) - which makes me wonder why mamas carrying babies can get the shot!
- I know my personal immune system isn't the greatest, but other than pnemonia this past winter I have been very healthy. The only time I had influenza as an adult was over two years ago.

What do you ladies think? I know it's ultimately my choice to make, and although DH supports me either way, I know he's concerned for the safety of our baby. We're both fans of delayed vaccinations for our child (preferrably after age 2), but know that ultimately vaccines can save lives and are very important for the health of the community. Is anyone else in this boat with me, wondering what's safe and not sure if the pro's outweigh the con's, or vice versa?

Wed Oct 03, 2012 10:53 am

Personally, I get the shot every year, and I have an appointment to get one a week from now. I have had the flu twice in the past decade - once was the year of H1N1, when I sure enough got H1N1. I'd had a flu shot, but at that time, the H1N1 virus wasn't part of it (and it hadn't been long enough after getting the shot for it to have kicked in anyway).

I also went to a conference in January 2005. That was the ONLY winter over the last 10 years when I didn't get a flu shot. At the conference, a couple hundred of us went home with Influenza B, including me. It was terrible, but I was ok again after a week or so. However, one woman - healthy and in her late 30s or early 40s, was hospitalized and passed away from the flu. It can be VERY serious and shouldn't be taken lightly at all.

So... because of this, I always get the shot.

Wed Oct 03, 2012 11:04 am

I was pregnant last year and again this year and got the shot both times. I work in healthcare so it's really not an option for me. I had the flu one time in my life and ever since then I will get the shot, it was absolutely awful!! And you can definitely ask for the preservative free shot, I did both times, makes me feel even better about the choice =)

Michelle
Mommy to Morgan 2.19.08
Fischer 4.17.12
and baby Clark EDD 5.3.13

Wed Oct 03, 2012 11:30 am

I very rarely get sick, Last time that I can remember being sick was about 3 years ago and I caught the H1N1 flu. That said yes it was a little worse then the traditional flu. But I have faith in my immune system. The flu changes so much even through out one flu season that your probably still going to get it even with the vaccine. However it shouldn't be as bad as if you hadnt had the vaccine. I wont be getting it, but if I was in a busy office, school or healthcare job I would.

Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:31 pm

I don't get it anymore. Since H1N1 was combined with it, the rate if miscarriage has increased dramatically if given during pregnancy, vs the old seasonal flu vaccines. They won't take accountability because they can brush it off as miscarriages being high in the first trimester. Ladies from my DDC last year received it and were fine, but its not worth the risk to me.

DSD - Jascelyn 16 | DS - Ethan 7 | DS - Tristan 05/17/12 | Baby girl due 05/09/13
DH - Chuck 07/20/02
Co leader: May 2012 BDC & May 2013 DDC
Becky4036.BZCL@gmail.com

Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:04 pm

This is such a great topic! It's also been on my mind with the flu season approaching. I was pregnant during the whole H1N1 scare and was teaching at an elementary school in downtown LA when people started getting sick including a little boy in one of my first grade classes (I taught dance in a performing arts Charter program). Since I had been in close proximity with him I decided I needed to get the vaccination and was lucky enough to get one through my OBGYN even though there were shortages at the time. I had no complications with the vaccine and my DS is in perfect health now as a toddler. I bounce back and forth between wanting the flu vaccine and not wanting it... since I'm around children constantly I'm always being exposed to a variety of germs. My chiropractor (who is a miracle worker) has an actual sign up in his office saying to steer clear of them; and my mother who is an RN has met doctors who say they would never put the flu vaccine into their bodies. However, like the original post states there are a ton of reasons to vaccinate. Decisions decisions...

Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:48 pm

My doc told me to wait until the 2nd trimester - for those that are getting it or have gotten while pregnant is this what you have done?

Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:06 pm

I always get the flu shot since I am a teacher. My ob gave me the shot last week when I went in for my first appointment.

Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:28 pm

I got the flu shot at my first appointment. Other than a slightly sore arm at the injection site.. on day2.. no fever, nothing else noticeable.

I also work in a vaccine center (I study immunity to hepatitis c), but am familiar with numerous studies of pregnant/vaccinated/nursing women. Obviously the first important task is keeping Mom from getting flu because flu is a risk for the pregnancy and pregnant women have weaker immune systems.

but secondarily.. there is some protection offered to the baby post delivery if you were vaccinated.. and if you are breastfeeding. As neutralizing antibodies will pass through to the child through the milk and offer some protection. For this reason, scientists are trying to find the optimal time during pregnancy which will allow the best protection for mom and for the child as carry over protection (studies ongoing).

Since I decided to get the shot this year, I am going to look at my own flu responses during pregnancy and post delivery as part of an ongoing study. I think it's really interesting.

I've never had the flu before that I am aware.. but admittedly I've only received the flu vaccine in the past 1 time because I'm healthy and too lazy to go for preventative care (sad but true). Now that I work closer to patients, I felt it was important that I get vaccinated.

Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:16 pm

Was pregnant with my first during the original H1N1 scare, got the vaccine at 9 weeks - no complications. A good friend who worked at a major hospital and had seen some pregnant women have some really serious complications (coma's etc) so she was pretty encouraging in that respect.

I'm also a teacher so I will probably get one. Am thinking of waiting till second tri though?

Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:04 am

yes, I only got the first trimester shot because 1) I was already in office at the time and they were offering and 2) I know myself well enough to know I wouldn't make a special trip for a flu shot at a later date and would probably forget.

I take my kids every year even with my busy schedule but for some reason when it comes to me taking time for me, I don't usually go for checkups dental visits, eye exams, vaccinations.. I'm pretty bad about taking time for myself in general.. so this time my doc made it easy.

separate from flu shot, I'm wondering if I should also make a trek to the dentist, whom I haven't seen in years. I would love to know if anyone is doing this as well.....

Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:19 am

yes, I only got the first trimester shot because 1) I was already in office at the time and they were offering and 2) I know myself well enough to know I wouldn't make a special trip for a flu shot at a later date and would probably forget.

I take my kids every year even with my busy schedule but for some reason when it comes to me taking time for me, I don't usually go for checkups dental visits, eye exams, vaccinations.. I'm pretty bad about taking time for myself in general.. so this time my doc made it easy.

separate from flu shot, I'm wondering if I should also make a trek to the dentist, whom I haven't seen in years. I would love to know if anyone is doing this as well.....

When I lost my full-time job (with benefits - meep!) at a university this past February, my husband and I cancelled our dentist appointments and haven't been back since. We were really good about going twice a year - DH is a dentist's son, after all! - but when we lost the insurance and BOTH found ourselves out of full-time work, we found other more pressing things to spend our money on. Now that his new job is providing benefits, I'm nervous about going to the dentist. I feel like more than one source I've read says that pregnant women shouldn't go to the dentist during the pregnancy, but I can't remember why. : } Has anyone else heard this, or know why it might not be wise for an expectant mama to get her teeth cleaned? If there's no concern, I will most likely go in. My teeth are healthy and I brush twice daily, but I also have a receeding gumline (had corrective surgery 4 years ago, and it's back down now to where it was) that causes me concern.

Thoughts?

Thu Oct 04, 2012 4:50 pm

I rarely get sick. I NEVER get the flu shot (I have always gotten the flu as soon as I get the shot). However, the last pregnancy and this pregnancy, I without hesitation got one - why? better for me to have the slight chance of getting the flu after the shot - than to not get one, and god forbid something related to the "not getting the flu shot" happended to this baby... /

Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:27 am

I have also contemplated this subject. I plan to talk to my dr at my next appt at which I believe I will be in my second tri or close to it to see what he says. I'll prolly get it in the second tri. I did receive the flu shot with my first pregnancy.

On the dental subject. I am a dental assistant and wanted you ladies who were questioning it to know that YES you definitely need to go to the dentist while u r pregnant. Although u cannot have "elective work" done in the first or third trimesters, the baby consumes most of the nutrients and calcium in your body. 80% of the calcium I think.. I'd have to check on that though so it is very important to go to the dentist in the first tri for cleanings. Brush and floss more than normal. They can take X-rays as long as u are wearing a protective shield all is fine and of course let them know that u r pregnant. U cannot use the nitrous oxide during pregnancy due to causing spontaneous m/c's. and some obgyns advise against the use of epinephrine in local aesthetics during pregnancy.

Fri Oct 05, 2012 8:27 am

<On the dental subject. I am a dental assistant and wanted you ladies who were questioning it to know that YES you definitely need to go to the dentist while u r pregnant. Although u cannot have "elective work" done in the first or third trimesters, the baby consumes most of the nutrients and calcium in your body. 80% of the calcium I think.. I'd have to check on that though so it is very important to go to the dentist in the first tri for cleanings. Brush and floss more than normal. They can take X-rays as long as u are wearing a protective shield all is fine and of course let them know that u r pregnant. U cannot use the nitrous oxide during pregnancy due to causing spontaneous m/c's. and some obgyns advise against the use of epinephrine in local aesthetics during pregnancy>

That was very informative.. thank you!

Sat Oct 06, 2012 1:37 pm

I got the flu shot at my appointment yesterday. Dr. said there is not a difference in risk between the first and second trimesters. Also, they only had one left in the office, so I took it. Been feeling fine since, just a little sore in my arm!