Speaking of the Flu shot...

As a pregnant woman, what are your views about this shot? Will you be getting one or are you against it???

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

Im undecided. I've never gotten one before and am curious to hear what others have to say. Thanks for posting this bc I've been thinking about it!

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

I havent had one either. I work in retail and constantly use purel. (hopefully we're allowed to.) I also posted this on the parenting board to see what BTDT moms have to say about it. Hopefully they respond.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

I've never had the flu shot, even with my first pregnancy (got pregnant in Dec., baby in August). I also was pregnant during the swine flu in a school that had many incidents. I will most likely not be getting the flu shot this time either. I know it's recommended but I'm worried about how I will react to it. I will be taking many, many, many extra precautions in keeping me away from as many germs as possible.

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i had to get one when i was pregnant in november (ended in miscarriage unrelated to shot)... i paid extra for the mercury free kind...

i plan to get one this year as soon as LO is born (end of October)

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got one last year for the first time.. b/c I knew I was going to TTC a few months later. Baby is due in November, so I will not be getting shots until LO is born.. and not sure about after.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

when I was pregnant with my 1st I refused the flu shot and was pretty set against it. I ended up getting sick the day before I went into labor and bc it was November - the height of the swine flu scare - and bc the flu test takes a few days to come back they had to treat me like I had the flu (especially since I had not had the shot). I wasnt able to see my DD for a day and a half (and that was after my husband went CRAZY on the heads of the hospital) - she was in the NICU the whole time, not even grandparents were allowed to go in, I was not allowed in the halls AND everyone that came into my room had to wear at least a face mask - my husdband had to be in full protective gear bc he was allowed in NICU to see her. Doctors and nurses had to be in protective gear too.

I was there for almost 6 days and on the last day they told me my flu test came back negitive. I am not crazy about the shot but I am due in December this time and would never want that experience ever again.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

I've never had the flu shot. Now that I have a baby coming at the end of January I will be getting it this year. If it can protect my LO from getting sick I am all for it.

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I'm getting it, LO is due right in the middle of flu season so I'm not taking that chance. I'm making my family get it as well.

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With my last pregnancy, I was due in January, so pregnant for most of flu season. That was also the year the swine flu debuted and the first year it was included in the flu vaccine. I was very skeptical about getting it. I did a TON if research about it, spoke to my doctors, and came to the conclusion that if I were to contract the flu while pregnant (not unlikely since I work in a special ed preschool), the effects on my baby could be devastating and even fatal. And the chance is my baby being harmed from the actual disease was far higher than any potential harm from the shot. So I went with it and am very thankful that I did. Will be doing it again this time around.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

People say, "I've never gotten the flu shot and never had the flu anyway," but that's irrelevant. Pregnant women have lowered immune systems, making them both more likely to get the flu AND more likely to suffer life-threatening complications should they contract it. I got the flu shot this winter when I was newly pregnant and I'm happy I did.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

All pregnant women should get a flu shot. As a pregnant woman you are immunocompromised, meaning your immune system can't fight against viruses/bacteria like it normally should.
I worked at Lenox Hill Hospital dept of OB/GYN/L+D during the whole swine flu epidemic and it was not pretty. Even the regular flu, wasn't a good situation. My advice, get the flu shot. I will.

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I asked my high risk doctor about this just last night. He was opposed to me getting it which I found strange. He said, "Why would you want to inject poision into your body??" I was like ***?? He then clairifed that he's fundamentally opposed to most vaccines which I found somewhat bizarre for a doctor. He then said if I've gotten the flu shot before (which I have for many years) he would be ok with me getting it. If I had never had the shot before he would definitely recommend not getting it.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

I will be getting it. I don't usually get it, but I got it back with my 1st pg & again when dc was an infant and I plan do the same this time. I'm exposed to a lot of germs where I work & just feel that it's something small that I can do to protect myself, my baby & my dc...

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I am not going to get the flu shot. I had a flu shot once and it was my sickest winter ever! I am due in December and I will keep hands washed etc as a percausion.

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I got the flu shot once well before having any kids but had an allergic reaction to it and have not had one since. IF I were not allergic I would get one for sure.

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Crashing...

When I was PG the swine flu shot was out and alot of people weren't sure about it or if there would be side effects and what not because it was brand new and not really tested. I got it and do not regret it. I had ZERO side effects. I wish I could've gotten the regular flu shot too but they were no longer available due to the swine flu situation and all the fear.

DS and I both got the flu shot this past winter. He was 6 months at the time. Again no side effects for either of us.

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My OB wasn't a big fan of pregnant women getting the shot so we passed on it.

After delivery they'll offer you the shot a thousand times.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

Also crashing. I got my flu shot while pregnant last year. As long as it's mercury free, it's fine. I got mine done at Walgreens for free and asked for the specific shot.
Just to let you know, getting a flu shot while pregnant protects your baby from the flu after they are born. My son was born in March and there was no way he was going to get sick. I made sure of it.

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I'm not getting it.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

I need to ask the OB. I am due early October and then plan on breastfeeding, so I want to check what is best.

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I've been wondering about this myself. I've never gotten the shot before. I'm going to see what my OB says, I have an appointment today.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

I got it while I was pregnant with DD as I do every year and plan to do so this year. DD will also get it this year as she did last year. So will DH.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

Pro:
Got it while preggo with my DS, got it the first winter we had him home.

Had the swine flu separate one (and had to FIGHT to be one of the first people to get it)... had a co-worker (TOTALLY healthy & young) end up in the ICU & almost die with swine flu.

Will get it again with this pregnancy.

IMO: benefits far outweigh the risks.

Re: Speaking of the Flu shot...

Didnt get it during flu season when I was pregnant, wont get it this flu season either. I dont really believe in getting those shots. I would never get it not pregnant, and I NEVER get sick, so I didnt see a point getting it while pregnant.
ANd I did not get the flu.