Convince me to get the flu shot-Please!

ncavitt · October 2009

I go to the dr. next week, so I plan to talk to my doctor about this, but I wanted to get some feedback hopefully pushing me to do "the right thing" for my baby.

I have only gotten the flu shot one time about 7 years ago. I had an initial reaction to it that lasted about an hour. I got the shot at work and was a little leary as I was worried I would get sick and don't like shots. I walked back to my desk after getting it and felt very light headed, started seeing spots and turned around to walk back to the nurses station. On the way back to the station, I fainted and fell to the floor-my blood pressure dropped and I got really pale. I was walked back to the nurses, sat down, had some water and I think some candy and then about half an hour later I was fine. I am pretty sure this was just a mental reaction, but I can't be sure since the cause was never officially determined.

I am still on the fence about the H1N1 shot since it's new and has had so much controversy, but I am now thinking at the very least I should get the seasonal flu shot not necessarily to protect myself, but more so to protect my LO once she is born. My husband works in a hospital and they are very concerned about the flu season being very bad and long this year. Last year it lasted until about May in Las Vegas, so this year will probably be the same. I have heard over and over again that the shot will protect my LO after she's born since I'll be breastfeeding and passing my imunity on to her. I myself rarely get sick and have never really have had the flu so I don't see this as an issue for me, but I know my immunity is down after being pregnant as I'm told and that LO will need immunity once she is born.

Give me your advice. No flames please, as I do plan to talk to my dr. next week. Just looking for some support. Thanks!

miaomi · October 2009

I am terrified of shots myself! I haven't had one since I was little and my Mom still jokes about how many people it took to hold me down. So that said, I got a flu shot at my last appt. The nurse saw how bad my fear was, couldn't stop moving away from here and asked if she needed to have help come in. I was set on doing it for the baby, but it is an honest, horrible fear! I was light headed and sick about it. But I did it and now it is a distant memory! You can do it too! Talk with your doc, explain the situation and see if they think it is safe. If you are afraid, make sure your partner or a friend is there to support. My husband was there to hold my hand and it helped! Good luck!

bobbidall · October 2009

Here are my reasons for getting both shots:

Baby can't get flu shots until 6 months of age. I will pass on antibodies to baby during pregnancy, etc.

The H1N1 shot is made the exact same way as the seasonal flu shot. Every year a new shot is made. Countless pregnant women have gotten the flu shto. Nothing has been tied to the shot and baby problems.

Pregnant women are dying from the H1N1. Since my immune system is supressed, I want the most protection.

My OB suggested I get it.

I think thats all for now! GL with your decision.

BABYGIRL023 · October 2009

I was dead against the shot at first but then after reading alot about the flu shot, I got the preservative free one. I have never got the shot before so they made me hang around to make sure I wasnt allergic but so far so good. Im glad I got it. I did however search all over my area for a preservative free one.

As far as the H1N1 shot...I will not be getting it at this point. We dont even have them yet.

It's a personal choice. Go with your gut. We cant make the choice for you. Just educate yourself.

sleepingbeauty825 · October 2009

If you are not scared to get the seasonal flu shot, you should not be scared of the H1N1. Each year the flu shot is 'new' so the seasonal flu shot is just as new as the H1N1 rider. In have heard that if the H1N1 strain had been identified a little earlier than it would be included in this year's seasonal shot and this whole thing wouldn't even be a problem. There are a lot of people on either side of the fence using 'scare tactics', so do your research and get comfy with your decision.

good luck!

hterry85 · October 2009

If you get it done at your docs office and let them know about your reaction before, it's very possible they would keep you for a bit to make sure you're ok before they let you drive off! If you're thinking part of it may be a mental reaction, you'll probably feel better about gettign at your docs and being observed that getting it work or something again.

prego760 · October 2009

My doctor has been so wonderful and has done the research and has said it's her recommendation that I get it. I'll be getting in on November 2nd.

bobbidall · October 2009

And regarding the H1N1 controversy, I believe some people are afraid because the lack of testing. Again, the seasonal flu shot does not have a lot of testing done on it either. Some people are afraid because of the GB syndrom link in the 70's. Well that was 40 years ago, a lot has changed since then in medicine. Were not living in the 70's anymore. Hope this helps!

BBachmann · October 2009

I just got my first ever flu shot. I only got it because I am pregnant. I had almost the same reaction. I got the shot at Walgreen's pharmacy. I sat there for a few minutes then walked around the store for a few. The minute I walked outside I got really lightheaded and dizzy. I rushed/stumbled to my car turned on the a/c and just sat there for a few minutes. After that I was totally fine.

To help you, reward yourself afterward with your favorite treat, mine was a Wendy's Frosty. That is the only way I managed.

acaudill75 · October 2009

The original poster, as well as a couple of others, mentioned feeling dizzy after the shot. Let me be the one to introduce you to the "panic attack." Having suffered from them for the past 15 years, I can say with almost absolute certainty that what you ladies described was not an allergic reaction, but a drop in BP due to anxiety. Totally common, and while frightening at the time, totally harmless. My suggestion is to not think about any shot before you get it (after you have decided you want it, of course). Just go in, sit down, and take it. Also, eat something before you go. That will keep your BP from dropping. Unless you are allergic to eggs, you will not go into shock or worse from the shot. The dr's probably keep you there for pallative reasons rather than actual worry that you are sick from the shot.

scubaspot · October 2009

I had my seasonal flu shot about a week ago. I HATE shots and had never had a flu shot before. As I had never had one before I had to sit in the waiting room for an extra half an hour but I had no problems. I went home and immediately took a nap. When I woke up I was just fine. I never had any pain in my arm and never ended up with any flu like symptoms.

This year even the seasonal flu seems to be particularly bad and although I have only had the flu once I do have asthma and the flu can quickly turn into something far worse for me.

I realize that the h1n1 is very controversial and I think that everyone should talk to their doc about it but as far as the seasonal flu goes I say to just get it. I was able to get one without perservatives but even if it did have the perservative I still would have had it done.

buckeyeki · October 2009

You're pregnant and worried about getting a shot? What did you do when you had blood drawn? That's worse than a shot! I got the seasonal flu shot last week and I didn't even think she gave it to me until an hour later when my arm started to get sore. It's really not bad at all.

buckeyeki · October 2009

buckeyeki:
You're pregnant and worried about getting a shot? What did you do when you had blood drawn? That's worse than a shot! I got the seasonal flu shot last week and I didn't even think she gave it to me until an hour later when my arm started to get sore. It's really not bad at all.

Okay, that sounded flame-like and I really didn't mean it too. Point was it's not that bad. Sorry

Tess12 · October 2009

All I can tell you is that I had the flu when I was 36 weeks pregnant and I wanted to die. I was so, so miserable. I will never miss another flu shot again.

ncavitt · October 2009

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it! I am definitely leaning towards getting the regular and considering the H1N1 too. Will be talking to my dr. at my appointment next week. From what I've heard lately I shouldn't be worried about either shot. Thanks!

ncavitt · October 2009

buckeyeki:

buckeyeki:
You're pregnant and worried about getting a shot? What did you do when you had blood drawn? That's worse than a shot! I got the seasonal flu shot last week and I didn't even think she gave it to me until an hour later when my arm started to get sore. It's really not bad at all.

Okay, that sounded flame-like and I really didn't mean it too. Point was it's not that bad. Sorry

Thanks for your response. And, initially at first the blood thing freaked me out, I just can't look when they do it. Regarding the shot though, it's more about me feeling the drugs enter my blood stream that kind of make me nautious. I'm not all about foreign things entering my body. I've ajusted a lot though to a lot of things and calmed down being pregnant, so I think I will probably not have the same reaction this time around when getting a shot.

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