Flu vaccine

houser1406

I'm currently pregnant with my first baby and my OB/GYN has been saying "get your flu shot". I've never gotten one in the past and am still up in the air about it. I, of course, want what's best for the little peanut but dont have many pregant people to ask. HELP!

DixieNormous330

Get the shot. Being pregnant your immune system is suppressed. GET THE FUCKING SHOT.

CivilMommy

Um...your DOCTOR suggests it.  What more do you want to know.

Google it, read the CDC recommendations.

AshleighK305

My OB told me to get mine too but they were out when I was in there last so I still haven't gotten mine. I get one every year though so I don't know if I'm much help!

jamiesc58

I (and my whole family) have been getting the flu shot for over 10 years and have had no bad reactions or anything. I feel that it has been beneficial for us. I do what I can to protect myself and the family. :-)

catlover790

I would do what my OB was recommending. The flu can be very dangerous for pregnant women. Even though they are saying this year's vaccine wasn't as good, in my opinion it's better than nothing. I teach, and am around lots of sick kids all day, so I want any extra protection I can get.

CivilMommy

AshleighK305 said:

My OB told me to get mine too but they were out when I was in there last so I still haven't gotten mine. I get one every year though so I don't know if I'm much help!

I left the OB office and forgot to go to the nurse/lab station to get mine at the OB...was too lazy to go back, so I just got mine at Target Pharmacy the next day.  They had the preservative free one available, and that is what my OB gives, so I just did it there, rather than waiting for my next OB apt or making a special trip.

bmblebea

Some years I get it, some years I don't. I got it this year bc my ob recommended it and it was the Mercury free one. If you dr recommends it, you aren't going to find many on here who will tell you to go against what your dr recommends.

houser1406

Like I said...this is my first baby so no need for the cursing. Thanks for all the courteous and respectful feedback from most!

pistachio&blush

Your doctor, as well as probably every other OBGYN, recommends the flu shot. I got the shot and had no adverse reactions. In fact, I haven't even gotten my typical winter cold despite many family, friends and co-workers being sick this season. I have only gotten a flu shot one or two other times in my life. However, I followed the recommendations of my doctor because the health of my child is my most important concern. The flu is highly dangerous for a pregnant woman. I hope you decide to get the shot.

AshleighK305

CivilMommy said:

AshleighK305 said:

My OB told me to get mine too but they were out when I was in there last so I still haven't gotten mine. I get one every year though so I don't know if I'm much help!

I left the OB office and forgot to go to the nurse/lab station to get mine at the OB...was too lazy to go back, so I just got mine at Target Pharmacy the next day.  They had the preservative free one available, and that is what my OB gives, so I just did it there, rather than waiting for my next OB apt or making a special trip.

I was going to check and see if our walgreens has them. I haven't seen them at our walmart like usual but somewhere in this town has to have one!

catlover790

CivilMommy said:

AshleighK305 said:

My OB told me to get mine too but they were out when I was in there last so I still haven't gotten mine. I get one every year though so I don't know if I'm much help!

I left the OB office and forgot to go to the nurse/lab station to get mine at the OB...was too lazy to go back, so I just got mine at Target Pharmacy the next day.  They had the preservative free one available, and that is what my OB gives, so I just did it there, rather than waiting for my next OB apt or making a special trip.

I also got mine at target pharmacy. I would maybe just call and make sure they cover it there/at a pharmacy with your insurance if you do that. I had trouble one year where my insurance only covered it at the doctor's office. Which is weird because that costs more, but oh well.

knjzacher

Get the shot. Not getting the shot is irresponsible.

jamiesc58

SharkFarts defense...I do not think it is irresponsible not to get the shot. I believe that if it is meant to be you are going to get the flu whether or not you get vaccinated. Nobody in my extended family gets them and they have all been fine so far. My sister has 4 children and neither her nor any of them get the flu shot and haven't gotten the flu in years. I only get it because my son is more susceptible to sickness due to a heart defect he was born with.

taahira

houser1406 said:

Like I said...this is my first baby so no need for the cursing. Thanks for all the courteous and respectful feedback from most!

No one was being nasty, and cursing at you. You completely missed the jovial way people were responsding.
#:-S

tdmloverrn

Get the flu shot! If you doctor is recommending it, then that is what is best for you and your baby.

DixieNormous330

Even if the shot isn't more than 40% effective against whatever strains are going around, it is proven to reduce the duration of the illness and the severity.

nikitaparchem

jamiesc58 said:

SharkFarts defense...I do not think it is irresponsible not to get the shot. I believe that if it is meant to be you are going to get the flu whether or not you get vaccinated. Nobody in my extended family gets them and they have all been fine so far. My sister has 4 children and neither her nor any of them get the flu shot and haven't gotten the flu in years. I only get it because my son is more susceptible to sickness due to a heart defect he was born with.

I don't claim to know @SharkFarts‌ situation and therefore will not pass judgment on her decision to not get the flu shot.

That said I'm calling shenanigans on @jamiesc58‌ - there is plenty of science to say that getting vaccinated decreases your chances of contracting the flu. This is not to say that everyone who gets the shot will be protected or that everyone who goes without will absolutely get it but on the whole when you look at the population the flu shot is protective (to varying degrees from year to year based on the strains most prevalent) against getting the flu. This is especially important for pregnant women who are at greater risk of complications from the flu.

The idea that "you will get it if you are meant to get it no matter what you do" is not a responsible way to approach healthcare decisions.

xo,

Your friendly ICU pharmacist who has sadly seen a few too many pregnant women in the ICU secondary to very serious cases of the flu

donnamartingraduates93

souptin said:

jamiesc58 said:

SharkFarts defense...I do not think it is irresponsible not to get the shot. I believe that if it is meant to be you are going to get the flu whether or not you get vaccinated. Nobody in my extended family gets them and they have all been fine so far. My sister has 4 children and neither her nor any of them get the flu shot and haven't gotten the flu in years. I only get it because my son is more susceptible to sickness due to a heart defect he was born with.

Thats about the silliest thing I have ever heard.

no, not silly plain ol' dumb is what that is.

if its meant to be it will happen? like some cosmic flu gods floating around picking and choosing who gets the flu?

dumb.




I honestly had to read it like four times because I thought I had to be misunderstanding.

AmCheri

Wasn't even a discussion. Got a flu shot with our first baby, and got it again with this one. Influenza while you're pregnant is a dangerous situation. While the flu shot is never 100%, a little prevention is better than none at all.

longshotlove

I never had any flu vaccine, and did not get one this year either. It was discussed with my OB.

History of vaccine reactions here those who can safely get it, should! I'd take 40% over my crummy zero..

MudLover

Get the shot. I get them every year and literally have never had the flu. My friend never gets the shot and her whole family had the flu this year at Christmas. My daughter gets the flu mist. My immune system isn't the best while I'm not pregnant and I know while you are pregnant, it's even worse. 

knjzacher

@jamiesc58‌ Your statement is ridiculous, you obviously have no idea what you're talking about. And SharkFarts doesn't need you to defend her, as no one is attacking her? It is my personal opinion that it is irresponsible to skip the flu shot if you are able to get it. Since, y'kno, this is a public forum, I can post my opinion. The internet is funny like that.

Scarlettg

I've never had the flu shot, but I got it this year.  I've never had the flu, either, but I figured it wasn't a good thing to risk.  I have no issue with getting shots and have never had a bad reaction to vaccinations, so I couldn't come up with a good reason not to.  Probably I won't get it next year, though.

Smash1215

If you can get it, you should get it. It protects you, baby and those around you. Some people can't get it and those of us who can protect them by getting it. Also, preservative free really isn't necessary, but if it makes you feel better then go for it.

If you'd like to discuss the science, I'm happy to do so.

mickjoe

Get the shot. You may not like doing it for yourself, but the OB wouldn't recommend it if it weren't in the best interest of the baby. A friend of mine refused it who is pregnant now, and she just came down with a bad flu even though she swore she never gets sick. Don't chance it.

mickjoe

Get the shot. You may not like doing it for yourself, but the OB wouldn't recommend it if it weren't in the best interest of the baby. A friend of mine refused it who is pregnant now, and she just came down with a bad flu even though she swore she never gets sick. Don't chance it.

amandamarie2

I typically don't get the flu shot but did this year and plan to for the next several years at least. It's not worth the risk to my baby/young child not to, plus taking care of a LO while dealing with the flu is not on the list of things I want to do. I haven't had the flu since I was a kid, but this is not the time to chance it.

jamiesc58

Ok so let me ask you this...if you were not pregnant and didn't have any other children would you still get the flu shot to protect yourself? I was not saying anyone is wrong or stupid for getting a flu shot, my family and I get them also every year, I was simply stating that I don't think people who decide against it are stupid either. Our grandmas and most of our parents lived the life of not doing any of that and here we all are alive and well. I also believe in the power of prayer and cleanliness and think that if God chooses for me to be sick with the flu I will be sick with the flu regardless.

thelittlepear

I have never had the flu shot before, and my OB didn't mention it when I was pregnant with DD (delivered last January). However, this year she has told me I should be getting one - she said some new studies have come out in the past year that show that getting the flu shot when pregnant offers some extended protection to the baby once they're born. I personally haven't looked these studies up myself, but I trust my OB, so I got the shot this year.

Shadeauxe

jamiesc58 said:

Ok so let me ask you this...if you were not pregnant and didn't have any other children would you still get the flu shot to protect yourself? I was not saying anyone is wrong or stupid for getting a flu shot, my family and I get them also every year, I was simply stating that I don't think people who decide against it are stupid either. Our grandmas and most of our parents lived the life of not doing any of that and here we all are alive and well. I also believe in the power of prayer and cleanliness and think that if God chooses for me to be sick with the flu I will be sick with the flu regardless.

In 1918, the time of our grandparents, 500 million people got the flu and 50-100 million of them died. None of them had a flu shot but I bet they wish they had.

RNmama2b

jamiesc58 said:

Ok so let me ask you this...if you were not pregnant and didn't have any other children would you still get the flu shot to protect yourself? I was not saying anyone is wrong or stupid for getting a flu shot, my family and I get them also every year, I was simply stating that I don't think people who decide against it are stupid either. Our grandmas and most of our parents lived the life of not doing any of that and here we all are alive and well. I also believe in the power of prayer and cleanliness and think that if God chooses for me to be sick with the flu I will be sick with the flu regardless.

You believe being clean will prevent you from getting the flu? Did I understand this right? Or were you just making reference to cleanliness in a religious way? Just making sure before I step up on my soap box as an ER nurse!

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

nikitaparchem

Shadeauxe said:

jamiesc58 said:

Ok so let me ask you this...if you were not pregnant and didn't have any other children would you still get the flu shot to protect yourself? I was not saying anyone is wrong or stupid for getting a flu shot, my family and I get them also every year, I was simply stating that I don't think people who decide against it are stupid either. Our grandmas and most of our parents lived the life of not doing any of that and here we all are alive and well. I also believe in the power of prayer and cleanliness and think that if God chooses for me to be sick with the flu I will be sick with the flu regardless.

In 1918, the time of our grandparents, 500 million people got the flu and 50-100 million of them died. None of them had a flu shot but I bet they wish they had.

@jamiesc58‌ - Many people lived through the times before seat belts too but would that ever make you decide to not wear one now? I also believe that praying is powerful but the Lord helps those who help themselves...

knjzacher

jamiesc58 said:

Ok so let me ask you this...if you were not pregnant and didn't have any other children would you still get the flu shot to protect yourself? I was not saying anyone is wrong or stupid for getting a flu shot, my family and I get them also every year, I was simply stating that I don't think people who decide against it are stupid either. Our grandmas and most of our parents lived the life of not doing any of that and here we all are alive and well. I also believe in the power of prayer and cleanliness and think that if God chooses for me to be sick with the flu I will be sick with the flu regardless.

Yes, I would get it to protect myself and my partner, parents, any children I may come into contact with, my patients at work (nurse) and anyone I generally would come in contact with. I feel it is my responsibility to do all that I can to protect those around me. Including MYSELF obviously.

"...the power of prayer and cleanliness..." I'm not even going to touch that.

jamiesc58

RNmama2b I do not believe cleaning alone protects me or my family from the flu. Like I said before we all get vaccinated and I do a variety of things for protection. I work at the bank and touch nasty money and have people coughing/sneezing all over all day long. I have stock in hand sanitizer. We take vitamins and eat a fairly healthy variety of foods. I am NOT against protecting myself from the flu. I simply made my first comment because I felt bad for SharkFarts and the comments about people not getting vaccinated being stupid, irresponsible, basically bad people/parents. I guess you could call it a WK sort of comment.

knitfastdiewarm

Shadeauxe said:

jamiesc58 said:

Ok so let me ask you this...if you were not pregnant and didn't have any other children would you still get the flu shot to protect yourself? I was not saying anyone is wrong or stupid for getting a flu shot, my family and I get them also every year, I was simply stating that I don't think people who decide against it are stupid either. Our grandmas and most of our parents lived the life of not doing any of that and here we all are alive and well. I also believe in the power of prayer and cleanliness and think that if God chooses for me to be sick with the flu I will be sick with the flu regardless.

In 1918, the time of our grandparents, 500 million people got the flu and 50-100 million of them died. None of them had a flu shot but I bet they wish they had.

My great-grandfather was left an orphan by the Spanish Influenza outbreak of 1918. So do not feed me that bullshit line that "our grandparents didn't get it and they were fine."

The women who choose to not vaccinate themselves against the flu should talk to their doctors about it and as long as they do that, I have no further opinion. This internet forum is not going to change anyone's mind who has already decided one way or the other.

Edited: Grammar

Scarlettg

jamiesc58 said:

Ok so let me ask you this...if you were not pregnant and didn't have any other children would you still get the flu shot to protect yourself? I was not saying anyone is wrong or stupid for getting a flu shot, my family and I get them also every year, I was simply stating that I don't think people who decide against it are stupid either. Our grandmas and most of our parents lived the life of not doing any of that and here we all are alive and well. I also believe in the power of prayer and cleanliness and think that if God chooses for me to be sick with the flu I will be sick with the flu regardless.

According to this chart: https://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922292.html, the mortality rate in 1920 (around when grandparents might have been born) was 207.3.  In 2011 it was 17.2.  That's quite a drop.  Could the advancements in modern medicine, including the flu shot, have been responsible?  I think so!  Furthermore, the infant mortality rate was higher and the average life expectancy was much lower.  Just because your grandparents survived does not mean it was a good time to be alive.

I'm not touching the god/prayer reference because that's just too much for a Tuesday afternoon.

ewilson74

jamiesc58 said:

Ok so let me ask you this...if you were not pregnant and didn't have any other children would you still get the flu shot to protect yourself? I was not saying anyone is wrong or stupid for getting a flu shot, my family and I get them also every year, I was simply stating that I don't think people who decide against it are stupid either. Our grandmas and most of our parents lived the life of not doing any of that and here we all are alive and well. I also believe in the power of prayer and cleanliness and think that if God chooses for me to be sick with the flu I will be sick with the flu regardless.

500 million people world wide from January 1918- December 1920 contracted influenza. Yes, my grandmother was fortunate, but she lost three of her siblings. And the rest of your response, I just can't even.

ETA: Seriously, that was the fastest dogpile I've seen. By the time I posted there were about 15 responses!

ElizabethSwann

I didn't get the flu shot the first time. But also, i wasn't very educated on vaccines in general. My viewpoints have completely changed though on vaccines in general, and not just the flu.

Also, I had the flu this past May. I was hospitalized. It sucked. Its not like a cold. You literally feel like you are dying.

People get so riled up about vaccines, because people think if they don't get them it doesn't effect others. But it does. Herd Immunity.

Saying all that, i cant imagine having the flu WHILE pregnant. It would be disastrous. 

apperdoodles

Scarlettg said:

jamiesc58 said:

Ok so let me ask you this...if you were not pregnant and didn't have any other children would you still get the flu shot to protect yourself? I was not saying anyone is wrong or stupid for getting a flu shot, my family and I get them also every year, I was simply stating that I don't think people who decide against it are stupid either. Our grandmas and most of our parents lived the life of not doing any of that and here we all are alive and well. I also believe in the power of prayer and cleanliness and think that if God chooses for me to be sick with the flu I will be sick with the flu regardless.

According to this chart: https://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922292.html, the mortality rate in 1920 (around when grandparents might have been born) was 207.3.  In 2011 it was 17.2.  That's quite a drop.  Could the advancements in modern medicine, including the flu shot, have been responsible?  I think so!  Furthermore, the infant mortality rate was higher and the average life expectancy was much lower.  Just because your grandparents survived does not mean it was a good time to be alive.

I'm not touching the god/prayer reference because that's just too much for a Tuesday afternoon.

The 1918 flu was a very unique strain. The lower mortality rate cannot just be attributed to advances in modern medicine. 

ETA: I'm not referring to God at all.