Flu Shot: Help!

LisaAnn1213 · September 2010

My doctor advised me to get a flu shot today. I've typically been against getting them because I've read so many stories about side effects that are much worse than getting the actual flu. However, when she told me that my getting the flu shot would protect the baby for six months, I'm thinking about changing my stance. Any suggestions or advice?

themissizz · September 2010

My opinion on the flu shot is that the benefits far outweigh the risks.

kknapp25 · September 2010

sorry, i'm lurking over here from 2nd tri. but i also, have never received a flu shot, nor do i care to get one. but my doc told me the same thing yours did, so this year i actually am getting one, our little guy is due in jan, so i'd rather play it safe. i don't know how true it is that the baby will also receive protection, but guess it's worth it if that's the case.

bmqcmg · September 2010

I got the flu shot and even though my fiance is fighting me on it.... He will be getting it as well.

houndbaby · September 2010

The only side effect I've ever had from getting the flu shot is having a sore arm for a day. This year me, dh and ds all got our flu shots.

ktwilley · September 2010

Get it! Don't read articles about how bad it is. Millions and millions of people get it with little to no side effects, but they just don't write about it. I got mine on Friday, and yeah my arm was sore for a day or two, but that's about it. The flu shot won't give you the flu. I never bothered to get the flu shot, until I got the flu a few years ago. There is no way that I'd want the flu while taking care of a newborn, and there is no way in h3ll that I'd risk passing it along to my newborn if I didn't get the shot. The flu can kill babies, and you are probably going to be around him the most. Plus, if you are planning to BF then LO will get some of your antibodies from the vaccine.

deziyou · September 2010

I've received a flu shot every year for the past 5 years or so, and the only side effect I've ever experienced is feeling a little bit of achiness in my neck. I think it's a very good idea, and I will be getting mine again next week! I say go for it!!

grlmom16 · September 2010

I would get it. I am, got the all clear from my DR today to do it even before LO arrives.

aforst · September 2010

Your baby will not be able to get a flu shot until 6 months old. It's almost October, we are entering flu season. I got mine today, DS got his last week and DH will get his as well. I can't imagine not getting the shot if there is a chance it will protect my newborn that can't receive it. I have never had any side effects from the flu shot, I have also never had the flu (*knock on wood*).

jessiesnwbrd · September 2010

I'm getting one this year...I never have before. I work with kids and rarely get sick. I did have the flu last year, but I haven't had it for 15 years before that. I think flu shots are kind of a joke, but if there is even a small chance that it can help my kiddo out, I'm there.

DH will be getting one. Also the whooping cough one is good to get (AFTER you're pregnant). It's highly contagious and starting to get common in the area I live...they are concerned about an "outbreak." I would suggest you encourage the people that will be in close contact with the baby to get one.

gdssofshdws · September 2010

I have never had the flu and never had the flu shot. I AM going to get it this time around, if I get the courage up-I an TERRIFIED of needles. This pregnancy hasn't been fun so i don't want to risk anything else happening.

I asked my DR about the LO being protected against the flu with me getting it. She said NOT really. Not much transfers, but since you are protected, she should have less risk catching it.

CLWilliford · September 2010

Same here. I have never gotten a flu shot until last week when my doctor advised me of the benefits and risks associated with getting it. I chose to get it because the benefits greatly outweigh the risks

PunkyBooster · September 2010

Benefits outweigh the risks, as the first poster said. I got mine yesterday and the only bad thing I can say about getting it this time (pregnant) is that my immune system is in overdrive and I am very tired today. I should have taken today off from work to rest, but it's okay. I'll be better tomorrow.

mrsschrager · September 2010

I am for the flu shot.. I have had the flu twice since I was an adult and after the last time I swore I would get a shot every year if possible.. benifits outweigh the risks imo.

LeanneCM · September 2010

got my first one today - I think the benifits outweigh too

boobgenie409 · September 2010

Doctor advised me to get a flu shot with my first child. I outright refused and he even tried to get a few other doctors to bully me into getting one. I never get sick (haven't been sick with anything in 10 years) so I knew I didn't need it. They finally backed off. They just could not convince me to get a flu shot while I was pregnant. Not while i'm pregnant, never. After the pregnancy, yes. Tell people not to touch your baby also. It's quite rude during flu season to touch someones child.

8yearslater · September 2010

Get it. I've had the flu 3 times in 34 years, and only once, when I was 12, was it bad enough that I remember feeling terrible. I used to hope to get it so that I could get a few days off of work, so I never got the flu shot. The worst illness I had in the last 10 years was bronchitis, and I blame that on inhaling some nasty water on The Mummy ride at Universal Studios, Hollywood.

But then DH and I attended a few childcare classes and the nurses made it clear that little babies can go from kinda-sick to critically ill very, very quickly, particularly with the flu. Just because I don't get sick doesn't mean that DD is automatically immune, too. I would not be able to live with myself if I mentally projected my 34 years of immunity onto a tiny baby and something happened to her.

So I got the shot. My arm was sore for a few days, and that made me cranky (I hate, hate, hate, hate muscle stiffness-- makes me mental), but that's the worst of it, and at least now DD will have some protection until she's old enough to get the shot herself.

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