Thoughts on H1N1 vaccine and pregnancy?

scoutmhen71

Hello Ladies,

I will be 28 weeks this Thursday and haven't decided if I'll get the H1N1 vaccine when its available. I am scared not to get it but I'm nervous about getting it at the same time. I'd love to hear what other women from the area think.

Thanks,

Michelle

jfarmer27

I'd check with your OB. 

However, if it were me...with it being a new vaccine, I would not get it.  Even though there is so much hype about H1N1, it's milder than the regular flu.  My dr told me on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the worst), it is a 2-3.  Of course, those with a lower immune system will have a harder time, but whether you get it or not, take precautions like washing hands, antibacterial, etc. and that will help.

labellagirl

i'm not getting it - my OB hasn't even mentioned it - and the new vaccine hasn't been tested on pregnant women - we're just practicing extra good hygiene - washing hands, etc.  we're also taking extra Vitamin C and colloidal silver

char-char

My OB's office is highly recommending both the normal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine for all of their pregnant patients, however with that being said, I've personally chosen not to get the H1N1 just because it is too new of a vaccine and I am uncomfortable with getting something that was literally just released to the general public and has not had adequate testing. I haven't gotten my normal flu shot either, but will likely get it when I see my OB next week. I don't normally get them at all, but did at the advisement of my OB when I was pregnant with our DS as well.

swimrbride

I asked my dr about it and she recommended it. So I will be getting it. But I also work in a hospital which puts me in a place where I would be more likely to get it no matter how many times I wash my hands.  Also keep in mind that even the season flu shot is a new shot every year, a different strain is used each year for that shot so basically both the seasonal and h1n1 shots are new and are made the same way.

With that said, if I was a stay at home mom or worked out of my home I wouldn't get either flu shot.

sabrina&andy

Wait; labellagirl....your PG again? Congratulations.

char-char

swimrbride:

I asked my dr about it and she recommended it. So I will be getting it. But I also work in a hospital which puts me in a place where I would be more likely to get it no matter how many times I wash my hands.  Also keep in mind that even the season flu shot is a new shot every year, a different strain is used each year for that shot so basically both the seasonal and h1n1 shots are new and are made the same way.

With that said, if I was a stay at home mom or worked out of my home I wouldn't get either flu shot.

Interesting to know....I guess I didn't think of it that way or really realize that was the case with the normal seasonal flu vaccines.

techdg26

I know three women hospitalized last week and two of the three delivered babies early that ended in NICU due to H1N1. Because of that, I would get it if my OB felt it was necessary. 

aggielauren

char-char:

swimrbride:

I asked my dr about it and she recommended it. So I will be getting it. But I also work in a hospital which puts me in a place where I would be more likely to get it no matter how many times I wash my hands.  Also keep in mind that even the season flu shot is a new shot every year, a different strain is used each year for that shot so basically both the seasonal and h1n1 shots are new and are made the same way.

With that said, if I was a stay at home mom or worked out of my home I wouldn't get either flu shot.

Interesting to know....I guess I didn't think of it that way or really realize that was the case with the normal seasonal flu vaccines.

That's true about the normal flu vaccines. My OB told me I really need to get the H1N1 vaccine, so I will be getting it and I also got a flu shot. I am a stay at home wife/"mom" as of now, but I am still going to get it because I do go out and run errands and go to dinner and all that kind of stuff so I just want to protect myself. If I wasn't pregnant, I probably wouldn't worry about it but because I am, I am going to get it. I also try to sanitize my hands ALL the time.

char-char

Hmmm...well, I haven't actually had a conversation with my OB, so she might persuade me otherwise, but I totally forgot to ask about either shot at my last appt. and when I called back and spoke with her nurse she was the one who said that they as a practice are recommending both to all pregnant patients. I do have an appointment on Tuesday, so I guess I will see what she says and go from there. My sister is an ER nurse as well and recommended I get the normal vaccine for sure and said that she would recommend the H1N1 too, but to definitely get the normal one if I was hesitant to getting both.

labellagirl

sabrina&andy:

Wait; labellagirl....your PG again? Congratulations.

 

hee-hee!! yep - 22 weeks - thanks! 

bnljane1988

DH and I both got the flu shot yesterday. My OB is highly recommending that I get the H1N1 when it becomes available.  That is my plan

sethsgal

Well I was just diagnosed with H1N1 and I am pg, and I am a SAHM.  I have no idea where I would have picked it up.

jenn4

I will be getting it when my dr. office gets it.

I've also read that the flu vaccine is new every year as well, so I'm not sure how valid not getting it because it's new is.

scoutmhen71

Thanks, ladies! You've given me a lot to think about. I did get the regular flu shot but am still undecided about the H1N1. I just wish my OB would advise one way or the other. I will probably discuss with my family doctor.

 Thanks again!

scoutmhen71

I am very sorry to hear that. Hopefully, you just have a mild form of it. Sending positive thoughts to you and wishing you a quick recovery!

mrspresley

swimrbride:

I asked my dr about it and she recommended it. So I will be getting it. But I also work in a hospital which puts me in a place where I would be more likely to get it no matter how many times I wash my hands.  Also keep in mind that even the season flu shot is a new shot every year, a different strain is used each year for that shot so basically both the seasonal and h1n1 shots are new and are made the same way.

With that said, if I was a stay at home mom or worked out of my home I wouldn't get either flu shot.

this. the regular flu shot is "new" every year based on emerging strains and the H1N1 vax is just another strain as well... so it being "new" is more media hype than anything else.

my ob did not say anything about it but when i went to the perinatologist (to see if my partial placenta previa had resolved) he said i should definitely get both.

PG women are considered a very high risk group so I got the flu shot and will get the H1N1 strain when it becomes available.