Flu Shot

I have NEVER gotten a flu shot in my life. Now that I am pregnant and due at the beginning of January I have to decide about possibly taking it for the very first time.

I am really torn about this - I understand that DC would be protected because of me taking it. I just don't know how comfortable I feel about taking a vaccination that up until 1995 was not recommended for pregnant women to take - along with other reasons.

DS is in nursery this year and I know that he will be bringing home GOD knows what kind of germs. I am having him get the shot (although, I am doing it with A LOT of hesitation).

Is anyone NOT planning on taking it? I don't believe in it because it is not 100% effective and I have gone my entire life without it and have never gotten the flu (KNOCK ON WOOD).

DH also has never taken the shot his entire life and is not planning on taking it this season regardless of what I decide to do.

I will be on maternity leave from January through March. I am not really planning on being out and about because of the cold. My only concern really is what DS brings home from going to school 3 days a week.

Message edited 10/13/2013 9:41:46 PM.

Flu Shot

I got it last winter when I was pg. it was a huge problem last year with the flu and I wouldn't risk it. Get it from your ob gyn. There is a special version of it for pregnant women.

Re: Flu Shot

I had to start getting the flu shot when I worked as a Nanny in 2006. I also got it when I was pregnant with my son in 2009. I am grateful that I did because one of the nurses on my floor ended up having the flu and one other patient ended up getting it... It is safe and necessary IMO when babies are so young... My son gets it every year and last year when my brother got the flu, and my son spent 2 days sleeping in the same room with him (before he knew he had it), he never got it...

Everyone in my house (hubby, brother, and mom) gets it... Unfortunately I know the risks that can come with getting the flu...

Re: Flu Shot

I think you are going to get a lot of different responses. Some people swear by the flu shot and others do not. I think at the end of the day you have to trust your gut and do what you feel is best for you and your family.

To answer your question, I do not get the flu shot pregnant or not. My DD does not get the flu shot and neither does my husband (who works in health care). I get stressed every single year when I know the pediatrician is going to ask me if I am getting it for DD and I begin to second guess my decision...but I just can't bring myself to get it.

Re: Flu Shot

Flu Shot

I didn't get it last year and I am a teacher. I thank god! My mfm doctor one of the best out there said don't do it. I just kept purel and washed constantly.

Re: Flu Shot

I've gotten one every year for the past 12 years and have never had a negative reaction or gotten the flu. When I was pregnant w/ DD, I got the preservative free version, and I plan to do the same this time.

Since babies can't get the flu shot under 6 months, they have no protection against it. You can stay home, but do you plan on having visitors/ family over to see the baby? I'd be way too paranoid to let anyone near the baby during flu season if I didn't get the shot.

It's a personal decision, but I wouldn't risk it. My DH already got one from work, and my DD and I will get one this week.

Message edited 10/14/2013 12:42:10 AM.

Re: Flu Shot

IMO you should get the flu shot. It has nothing to do with protecting your baby after being born. It's to protect your unborn baby. It's very dangerous for your child if you were to get the flu while pregnant.

It's completely safe to get the flu shot. OBs recommend the preservative-free version which is easy to find.

Re: Flu Shot

I also had never, ever gotten a flu shot. My parents didn't really believe in it and my mom tried it once and reacted horribly so she never gave it to us. However, I am due in 9 days and my baby will be an infant during cold and flu season. I asked my ILs (who will be watching him) and DH to get it - even though they never have, and I decided to get it as well, both for me and so the baby is covered. The flu can be deadly in an infant and they won't vaccinate until 6 months so for me I had to. I got it at my OB's office, it is preservative-free when done through your OB. I had zero reaction to it other than a mildly sore arm for a day. And I'm glad I did it.

Re: Flu Shot

Normally I am not an advocate for or against shots. It is a personal decision. I just am offering up an experience here. One of my close friends had a baby last november. She didnt get the flu shot bc she never even thought about it and for whatever reason her doctor didnt bring it up. Her DS 1 was in pre school and at 3 weeks old her newborn got the flu and was hospitalized for a bit (showed signs even before her DS1 did). A newborn with the flu can be life threatening. luckily, her son had a mild case.
I know someone posted about the shot not having anything to do with the baby but my docs have told me otherwise saying that the baby will have your antibodies for the first 6 months.

I did have the shot with both of my pregnancies and did not have any issues. My son is 6.5 months and just got the first of the two dose shot for infants on Saturday. He does not seem to have any reaction to it.

Flu Shot

I never got the flu shot until I was PG. I figured if I got sick oh well it was just me and DH. But getting that sick when you are PG is not good for the baby. A cold is one thing but a full blown flu....I wasn't going to risk it. I also now get the flu shot and give it to DS. He is in daycare and last year he only has minor colds.

Flu Shot

I haven't 100% decided yet but I'm leaning quite heavily towards not getting it.

Flu Shot

I got it - also did with first DS and everything was fine. DS 1 is in daycare, so i definitely do not want to take any chances.The first time i ever got the flu shot was when i was pg with DS 1.

Re: Flu Shot

i was very torn about this as well...
when my doc asked me if i wanted it i said can i take my allergy medicine and he said nothing then i said then i dont want the flu shot.


i cant understand why i cant take my allergy medicine and suffer but i can stick myself with a vaccine when my baby is still developing

it is a personal choice for each mom to be and you do what you feel is right
either way its right for yourself.

Re: Flu Shot

FYI: If you do decide to get the shot, my local CVS has the brand that is Mercury and Preservative free, so I'm sure most of the other CVS's have it too. (My OB says to get one, but doesn't give them, and my regular dr didn't have any preservative free brands).