Flu shot??

Wriggley1123

Just wondering who is getting the flu shot and who isn't. I'm torn and don't know what to do. I've never had one before, and read stories of miscarriage or bad effects on the baby. But, I'm also not sure how having the flu would affect the baby either. So confused!!!!

htn1763

The flu shot does not cause miscarriage. It is important to get when you are pregnant. Just ask for the preservative free version. 

You really need to differentiate "stories" and medical information. I am scared to know where you stand on vaccinating your baby. 

kaking78

I bet if you ask your doctor, she'll tell you to get it.  Nothing is risk-free, but the stories are just that - stories - especially if they begin with "my sister's friend's cousin...."  Correlation isn't causation after all.  How many of those miscarriages would have happened regardless?

For me, I think about how hard would it be on the baby to get what it needs from me if I'm exhausted, dehydrated, and undernourished for a week or more.  Not to mention the fever, which is potentially damaging.  I had a nasty cold I couldn't shake during weeks 8 and 9 and that was miserable enough.  No way I'm risking the flu!

Hdhtk4

I got the flu shot two days ago because it was recommended by my doctor and I knew I didn't want to have the flu while pregnant. I had never gotten a flu shot before either so was worried about side effects, but it was the most painless injection I've ever experienced and I've felt great afterwards. According to my pharmacist friend, because it is a dead virus it will not negatively affect you or the baby. The benefits far outweigh the risks.

orriskitten

I just got mine today. I cannot afford to be out of commission for DD1 and it would badly affect my diabetes.

ceh789

People who believe in scientific developments and what's proven to be the least risk option for them and their babies are getting the flu shot.

People who believe anecdotal stories of their "friend's cousin's nephew" and/or are comfortable risking their and their unborn child's health aren't getting the flu shot.

roxi9020

My ob had me get it at one of my visits to her. I take that as it is plenty safe. Everything I have read recommends getting it not only for yourself but to give baby immunity post birth.

angelsnight

I just got mine yesterday.  I trust my several doctors who have told me to get it.  I was going to get it at work when they offered them, but the literature they handed out said it can be dangerous to get any vaccines while pregnant.  I knew this wasn't true, but skipped it there, assuming they didn't have the right kind.  My doctor even asked if I could bring the literature in because she wants to contact them, because they shouldn't be spreading false information.

I had a cold for a week a few weeks ago and felt awful, I cannot imagine having the flu while pregnant.  I never used to get it for just myself, but get it every year that I am pregnant.

snsnyder1

My dr offered me the flu shot. He said it wasn't mandatory when your pregnant just a precaution. He recommend it but if I decided not to get it to avoid sick people as best I could ( which I would obviously do anyway). He didnt make a big deal when I turned it down. You can't get the nasal form when pregnant so I opted out.

SassyFlats

My OB sent me down to the lab to get my flu shot at my last appointment. So yep... Seems like a good sign that it's safe enough!

Nothing is without risk... But DH had influenza last year and it was scary enough to see a healthy young adult go through it. The fever was nuts.

I couldn't risk my health and my baby's safety having seen that.

katykatykaty

snsnyder1 said:

My dr offered me the flu shot. He said it wasn't mandatory when your pregnant just a precaution. He recommend it but if I decided not to get it to avoid sick people as best I could ( which I would obviously do anyway). He didnt make a big deal when I turned it down. You can't get the nasal form when pregnant so I opted out.

You opted out solely because you didn't want the pain of a shot? Yikes. Hope you don't end up with the flu in the hospital needing an IV.

spollack726

Got my flu shot 2 weeks ago. I'm an ICU nurse and last year we had quite a few people end up in ICU on ventilators due to the flu. My OB highly recommends getting the vaccine anyway due to risk of dehydration, malnourishment, etc. Keep in mind though that the flu shot only protects against certain strains of the flu & the strains included are what are predicted to be prevalent this flu season. You can get the flu shot & still get the flu if a strain other than those included in the vaccine is floating around (this is what is usually is described by some as the "flu shot gave me the flu" stories). Still, better to get it than not.

lalaith50

I just got mine yesterday. Thimerosal-free at rite aid, I just had to ask. I've never gotten the flu, but that doesn't necessarily mean I wouldn't this year! Not worth the risk...

KariB509

Got mine weeks ago

avigailandcharlie

Flu shots don't cause miscarriage, but they do cause your unborn children to grow a tail. And have autism. The doctors all deny it but it's science.

Shobb414

Dh has to get it and he said the years he has gotten them ever he always gets the flu. not excited

ceh789

ellewills618 said: Shobb414 said: Dh has to get it and he said the years he has gotten them ever he always gets the flu. not excited Statements like this really grind my beans.  First, the flu shot does not give you the flu.  Second, it only protects you from several strains out of the multitude of different types of flus and colds you can get.  It is likely he may have gotten a different strain than what was in the vaccine and even if he did get the same strain it was probably far less severe a flu than what he would have without the flu shot.  Third, it takes up to a month to develop full immunity to the flu once you get the shot so if you get it before your immunity is fully developed, you just have bad luck and it is not from the flu shot.  Tell your dh to bring this up with his doctor at his next check up and see what the doc has to say about it.
^^ end quote
ETA - why are my quotes all broken lately ><
Also, if your husband gets the flu - not the common cold, the flu every year then he is either severely immune compromised or is incredibly unlucky person and should be getting the flu shot even more than the rest of us!  Either way you need to have serious talks with your MD about this - normal healthy adults do NOT get influenza every year - flu shot or not.

delucake

I just got the flu shot at the doctors office after my 20 wk u/s. I have no desire to get sick this winter with a little bun in the oven!! 

ceh789

Do it - all the cool kids will have tails in 5 years and your baby won't forgive you if you make her uncool!

ohbabybaby3

I got mine at my 16 week appt about a month ago along with my quad screen. I've never gotten a flu shot, and never had the flu, but definitely won't be taking any chances! It was quick and painless. Just suck it up and do it! Being a mom is when it's necessary for selfishness to fly out the window. If you don't want it because of a small pinch on your arm... Do it for your baby who won't feel anything and will be protected from you risking hospitalization.

matthew24

htn1763 said:

The flu shot does not cause miscarriage. It is important to get when you are pregnant. Just ask for the preservative free version. 

You really need to differentiate "stories" and medical information. I am scared to know where you stand on vaccinating your baby. 

Very well said!

Jmom10

I don't think this is the place to ask advice about vaccinations. Vaccination is a VERY important and personal decision that only you can make by doing the PROPER research.

Jmom10

FarmBoysWife said:

Jmom10 said:

I don't think this is the place to ask advice about vaccinations. Vaccination is a VERY important and personal decision that only you can make by doing the PROPER research.

And obviously those who think that it causes miscarriages are spouting miscarriage is a great place to go as well.

This is like the 5th flu shot post, and they keep getting more ridiculous (the reasons why not to)

Obviously

legallyginger

Jmom10 said:

I don't think this is the place to ask advice about vaccinations. Vaccination is a VERY important and personal decision that only you can make by doing the PROPER research.

Lots of ladies around here are quite knowledgable about vaccinations, including where to begin when *properly* researching vaccinations. Like the CDC, NIH, or your OB. Not any person/blog/website that tells you the flu shot will cause a miscarriage.

Jmom10

legallyginger said:

Jmom10 said:

I don't think this is the place to ask advice about vaccinations. Vaccination is a VERY important and personal decision that only you can make by doing the PROPER research.

Lots of ladies around here are quite knowledgable about vaccinations, including where to begin when *properly* researching vaccinations. Like the CDC, NIH, or your OB. Not any person/blog/website that tells you the flu shot will cause a miscarriage.

I never said it would. I said its important to do your own research. Yep, that includes talking with your own medical professionals. We don't know medical background to give advice on this. Obviously for the flu shot if her Dr offered it to her, go for it. I didn't know until my mom started having some medical issues that some vaccines and vaccine schedules aren't recommended based on your medical history. Research is important folks. I'm not going to only go by what someone on the bump tells me. While I value your opinions on several things, I'm not going to ONLY go by your opinion for everything. I am not telling anybody to go one way or another, nor am I claiming anything about flu vaccine one way or another. I am simply saying do your own research.

legallyginger

@jmom10

Obviously she should start with her doc. Sorry for my tone, your post just came across (to me) like that of an anti-vaxxer. We have a few around here and they LOVE telling people to do "proper" research, which usually involves ignoring doctors and scientific evidence in favor of shady studies and random web articles. From your second post that's clearly not what you meant.

kaking78

So who was complaining the other day about there not being enough drama on the board?

sopranoali

This again?

ktlucas

I've never had a flu shot and I most certainly will NOT during my pregnancy.  Not going to risk anything.  If you never had one before than don't do it now. 

katykatykaty

ktlucas said:

I've never had a flu shot and I most certainly will NOT during my pregnancy.  Not going to risk anything.  If you never had one before than don't do it now. 

News flash:  You're actually risking A LOT by not getting the flu shot. 

ktlucas

if you are still uncertain, read the package insert provided with the type of shot your doctor wants to give you.  Most of the inserts I have read from this site https://www.vaccinesafety.edu/package_inserts.htm state: "Safety and effectiveness of (type) have not been established in pregnant women or nursing mothers. (8.1, 8.3)"

And if you read further they also say "no adequate and well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not 

always predictive of human response, (type) should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed"

BabiesFTW

Got mine weeks ago.

ktlucas

katykatykaty said:

ktlucas said:

I've never had a flu shot and I most certainly will NOT during my pregnancy.  Not going to risk anything.  If you never had one before than don't do it now. 

News flash:  You're actually risking A LOT by not getting the flu shot. 

No I'm not. but thanks for your educated opinion.

nicrenn

I have never had the flu or gotten the flu shot in the past, but got my first one a month ago specifically because I'm pregnant.

katykatykaty

Here's some more "research" for you, @ktlucas.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_vacpregnant.htm

https://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/vaccinations-during-pregnancy.aspx

And hopefully the only time I will ever have to cite an article from Fox News -

https://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/08/09/flu-vaccine-not-tied-to-pregnancy-complications/

ktlucas

katykatykaty said:

Here's some more "research" for you, @ktlucas.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_vacpregnant.htm

https://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/vaccinations-during-pregnancy.aspx

And hopefully the only time I will ever have to cite an article from Fox News -

https://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/08/09/flu-vaccine-not-tied-to-pregnancy-complications/

I've read what the cdc recommends but I have also read the package inserts directly from the manufacturers of these shots listing side effects and what their controlled studies include.  So again thanks for your opinion.  As I suggested, its better to read EXACTLY what these vaccines include and how the data was established than what is recommended by the herd.  

Convo over..

Missfunball

I got my first flu shot this year since I was a kid.

Here are my reasons....

- baby will be born during flu season

- flu shot does not cross the placenta, but anti-bodies that I produce will

- I have always had to make an ER trip if I catch the flu due to dehydration.  AKA not good for baby

- lowered immunity and being around kids and people w/flu sealed the deal

katykatykaty

ktlucas said:

katykatykaty said:

Here's some more "research" for you, @ktlucas.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_vacpregnant.htm

https://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/vaccinations-during-pregnancy.aspx

And hopefully the only time I will ever have to cite an article from Fox News -

https://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/08/09/flu-vaccine-not-tied-to-pregnancy-complications/

I've read what the cdc recommends but I have also read the package inserts directly from the manufacturers of these shots listing side effects and what their controlled studies include.  So again thanks for your opinion.  As I suggested, its better to read EXACTLY what these vaccines include and how the data was established than what is recommended by the herd.  

Convo over..

Ha.  Thanks for the heads up.  I hope the herd gets its flu shot so that you won't suffer any of the consequences. 

ceh789

ktlucas said:

if you are still uncertain, read the package insert provided with the type of shot your doctor wants to give you.  Most of the inserts I have read from this site https://www.vaccinesafety.edu/package_inserts.htm state: "Safety and effectiveness of (type) have not been established in pregnant women or nursing mothers. (8.1, 8.3)"

And if you read further they also say "no adequate and well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not 

always predictive of human response, (type) should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed"

That's because we don't test drugs on pregnant women.  The 'warning' you quote is standard for all drugs in pregnancy category C.  As stated in the last sentence, it is administered only if clearly needed - because your body is your fetus' only defense against influenza, it is clear that you need to get a flu shot.  Therefore, every reputable scientific body agrees that all pregnant women without other contraindications should get the flu shot.

ETA:  @katykatykaty There's a conspiracy bandwagon that Fox news not only didn't jump on but that they provided factual reporting against?  I'm floored.  Does Obama advocate against flu shots or something?

peachy0709

One additional note to add: This year's flu shot protects against 4 strains instead of the usual 3, and also helps protect against sinus infections and bronchitis.  These are all serious illnesses that can knock you on your butt, require very strong medication and make it hard for you to want to eat.  Just worth thinking about.  I should say I love flu shots (love love love) pregnant or not.  I use to never get them (hippie mom) and started when I was an adult and they were offered free at work.  Since getting them regularly, I have never gotten a serious winter illness like the ones mentioned above (and I use to get deathbed sick annually).  Just my two cents.

StephBrim24

I got the shot last time I was pregnant and was fine (as was DD when she was born). I got it two weeks ago and was fine again. Only complaint: my arm hurt and it didn't work for a day -- worth it instead of spreading the nasty thing to others and risking my little fella's health because I end up dehydrated and weak? Yup. Go ahead and make all my limbs ache and become useless if it helps me avoid the risk of sickness for myself, my baby, my family, and the people around me.