Flu shot?

sumthinsnazzi

Was it suggested by your OB/MW/Dr to get the flu shot while pregnant, and did you do it? I have refused the flu shot for several years now (even while not pregnant) - I've had it twice in my lifetime - but I just read a scary story from a lady I know online - her cousin's 19-year old daughter just died from the H1N1 virus because her kidneys shut down and the damage was irreversible. This scares the crap outta me, so I wonder if I didn't make a mistake in not getting the shot, especially now that I'm pregnant. I know this is a silly thread to start, but it's really kinda freaking me out. Please ease my mind, ladies!

notreal2

This is not an irreversible mistake, you can still get the flu shot.

RondackHiker

The flu shot is safe and it's a good thing to get while pregnant.

You can find preservative free versions, but the amount of preservative present in the shot is so minimal that you get more from your daily activities than the vaccine.

Get the shot, not the mist, which has weakened virus and isn't recommended while pregnant.

dunvilles

My OB highly recommends it for her pregnant patients. I did get the flu shot. I do every year though. I'm a teacher and get exposed a ton!

kella0708

Yes, get the flu shot.

MissDemeanor

I got it, my boyfriend did as well, as did all grandparents. I'm thinking the last thing my tiny person needs is the flu.

Elizabethjohanna

i get it ever year. i wasn't sure if it was a good idea so i asked my OB and she highly recommend it therefore i took it. talk to your ob and see what she/he says you still have time to do it. keep your self warm its really cold out and specially when it snows. good luck and don't freak out. good vibes =]

funchicken

Yes, I got it.  DH and my kids got theirs, too.  It's not too late--there are still a few months of flu season left.

ShePersisted

car seat said:

Is it September again?

My thoughts exactly!

OP- most importantly if a bunch of women on this board advised you against it, would you decide not to take it? This is something you need to discuss with your dr and take his/her recommendation. You also need to do your basic research on what there is. This board highly supports getting the needed vaccinations but I am sure you will also find other boards that are dead against it. The key is to discuss with your medical professional ( cause they are you know professionals) and make the decision.

Jspagnuolo

MissDemeanor said:

I got it, my boyfriend did as well, as did all grandparents. I'm thinking the last thing my tiny person needs is the flu.

This. It's safe... just get it.

JordyInIndy

car seat said:

Is it September again?

I had to double check the date of the post to make sure it was indeed posted today and not a resurrected post from 3 months ago.

djtippietoes

car seat said:

Is it September again?

I thought the exact same thing.

ziggy903

do it.

TessyMessy

There have been many many many long and colorful threads about the flu shot. Have you tried utilizing the search feature? You will see many of us have gotten the vaccine while others are against. I think all vaccine threads have wound up being a hot mess. Maybe this one will have a better outcome.

sumthinsnazzi

car seat said:

Is it September again?

LOL! Was this discussed at length in September?! I'm sorry, I wasn't around then. My apologies! I have an appt on Thursday so I may just talk to my OB then & see if I can go ahead and get it. I live in California, where there hasn't been a huge outbreak, but it still scares me. Thank you SO MUCH for all the input, ladies... I really appreciate you taking the time to help out a newbie. ♥

kella0708

@TLex I always think the same thing when I see OPs username. Spaces are our friends.

sumthinsnazzi

TyrannosaurusLex said:

I always read OP's name as Sumthins Nazzi and I get momentarily offended by the spelling and reference to nazi's. 

Ha, no! Never. I was trying to come up with "something snazzy" several years ago and this is what came of it. Sumthin Snazzi. Nothing nazi, promise.

Also, I realize that this could become a heated debate and that's most certainly not what I was intending. I was more looking for people who said that they didn't get it and have never gotten it and that it was okay not to, LOL, but I got the opposite opinion so I think I'll talk to my OB this week and see if I can just go ahead and get it. My OB strongly recommended it, but like I said, I've always refused it because I've had the flu only twice in my lifetime (once in 8th grade and once about 7 years ago). Anyway, I highly appreciate all the input - whether for or against - and I appreciate you all taking the time to help me! Thank you!

ziggy903

@sumthinsnazzi while you're talking to your doctor, ask about the tdap shot as well. pertussis is HUGE in california!

Virgo&Aquarius

My daughter had flu mist in like 1st grade a few year back and got sicker than I've ever seen her get. That kind of steered me away from it for a while but this season, while carrying this baby... Everyone in the house got the flu shot. I hadn't had one in years and I actually caught the flu last January. It was NOT a pretty sight!

slwprincess

sumthinsnazzi for recognizing that it is the responsible thing to do for you and your baby.  Flu can be very serious- particularly in pregnancy.  It's not something to take a chance on.  I just had to give my friend a big fat "WTH were you thinking?!" this morning b/c she didn't get the shot and didn't bother to get it for her son who has serious allergies/asthma and sure enough, he tested positive this morning.  Now her whole family has to take Tamiflu and hope they don't get it.  Geez Louise.

Chereen

I live in California too, get the TDAP shot. As ziggy said there have been a lot of cases out here. My DF and parents are also getting the TDAP shot. Anyone who will be around the baby should get their booster for the TDAP.

sumthinsnazzi

ziggy903 said:

@sumthinsnazzi while you're talking to your doctor, ask about the tdap shot as well. pertussis is HUGE in california!

OK, I will do that... thank you so much! 

ziggy903

sumthinsnazzi said:

ziggy903 said:

@sumthinsnazzi while you're talking to your doctor, ask about the tdap shot as well. pertussis is HUGE in california!

OK, I will do that... thank you so much! 

No problem! We've talked about both a bunch here, but I know you just intro-ed a couple days ago.

Mazingmommyof6

I HAD pertussis in August.... Awful when pregnant and can't imagine what it would be like for a baby to have.

VeronicaAnn143

Yes to the vaccine as pp have said but here's a cautionary tale to add:
I got the vaccine months ago and DH was planning on it but just hadn't gotten around to it yet thinking he had a couple more weeks.

Well now LO is here and in the NICU and DH has to wear a mask for the next 2 weeks until his vaccine kicks in. Shoulda woulda coulda.

wheathergirl

I have alway been against the flu shot. I have had it one time ever and got very sick afterward.

However, I did get one this pregnancy. I didn't want to at first, but after reading everything on this board and talking to my doctor at great length I decided the risk of not getting it was worse.

Guess what? I didn't get sick this time! And no flu for me!

Get the shot.

MoxyByProxy

I just saw on the news that h1n1 has hit the area and in regards to the flu shot.. the strain that's going around is not quite the same as the vaccines they gave. With that being said... the vac still offers you SOME protection and would at least allow you lesser symptoms. For as many scary stories you'll here anti shot.. the complications it can prevent are worth it.. period. Besides who wanrs to F with the flu and a newborn and be worried about lo getting it when its so avoidable?

JackieP1023

wheathergirl said:

I have alway been against the flu shot. I have had it one time ever and got very sick afterward.

However, I did get one this pregnancy. I didn't want to at first, but after reading everything on this board and talking to my doctor at great length I decided the risk of not getting it was worse.

Guess what? I didn't get sick this time! And no flu for me!

Get the shot.

This exactly!

ShePersisted

VeronicaAnn143 said:

Yes to the vaccine as pp have said but here's a cautionary tale to add:
I got the vaccine months ago and DH was planning on it but just hadn't gotten around to it yet thinking he had a couple more weeks.

Well now LO is here and in the NICU and DH has to wear a mask for the next 2 weeks until his vaccine kicks in. Shoulda woulda coulda.

OMG I'm going to show this to DH right now. He's been procrastinating going to his dr to get the shot and keeps telling me he will do it before LO gets here.

kathegreat

adinashoshana said:

But really, get the flu shot.

This meme made me giggle at my phone, perfect!

tiggernorton04

I never get the flu shot, pregnant or not. My midwives suggest 4,000 iu vitamin d, 1,000 of vitamin c (one emergenC packet), and elderberry syrup everyday to build up the immune system during flu season.

ziggy903

tiggernorton04 said:

I never get the flu shot, pregnant or not. My midwives suggest 4,000 iu vitamin d, 1,000 of vitamin c (one emergenC packet), and elderberry syrup everyday to build up the immune system during flu season.

OR you could listen to modern medicine. Your immune system may be amazing, fine, but your newborns will not be. Getting the flu shot while pregnant is more for them than it is for you. The flu can be deadly to a newborn. I would not take that much of a chance with my child's life.

VeronicaAnn143

Mmm elderberry syrup, my favorite...

ziggy903

VeronicaAnn143 said:

Mmm elderberry syrup, my favorite...

Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries!