Flu Shots???

lil'kim · October 2008

Who's getting a flu shot during pregnancy? My doc highly recommended it, but I am not totally comfortable with it yet. Thoughts? Pros vs. Cons???

Bz1&Only · October 2008

I got mine 2 weeks ago at my OB office. She recommended it b/c CDC is saying it's going to be the worst flu season yet and that not only me but anyone who will be around the baby alot should get one. I am certain they also gave me the mercury free version seeing as it was my OB who gave it to me.....I doubt they would endanger my child.

Also, I am so happy to see you over here. I remember you from my past 2 experiences on the PL board!

gremaud07 · October 2008

I am getting one at 14 weeks.

I recommend it since I feel that since I am pregnant I don't really want to take unnecessary meds if at all possible.

Plus my dh always gets real sick due to his job so he and I both are getting one from now on for our baby ..

lil'kim · October 2008

It's good to be back over here. I thought I'd never make it! After 4 losses, I was getting really discouraged. Good to see you too!

jnealet · October 2008

My OB recommeded that I get the flu shot and I spoke with my company's VP of the Employee Helath Clinics, who is also a doctor, and he said that the CDC highly recommends the flu shot for all pregnant women. He also said the shot that contains "mercury" doesn't really contain mercury but a derivative of it and it is safe for pregnant women to get.

If you don't feel comfortable with it, get the mercury free shot. Either way, you should get it.

Camiejae · October 2008

I got one around 14 weeks. I am supposed to get one for my job (I work with children and families as a social worker). I called my midwife and they said I should get one and then I consulted with the Dr. at the the clinic where I got the shot. I really didn't do much research and just took their words for it. The only things both the midwife and the doc said was to make sure I am in the 2nd trimester and make sure it is a dead virus in the vaccine (I guess some use live viruses).

I got the flu shot for the first time ever last year and actually ended up getting the flu for the first time since I was 8. So who knows how it will work this year.

mrs.kcanne · October 2008

Voutsos recommended it? He hasn't said a peep to me about it. I've never ever had the flu shot, so for me the answer is easy: no way am I going to start it now while I'm pregnant. But had I taken it in the past, maybe I'd feel different. I don't get sick that often though, so I've never seen the need for it for me. My husband has also never gotten it before either - but he also doesn't get sick often at all.

lil'kim · October 2008

Hi Katie,

Yes, Voutsos mentioned it this morning. You probably weren't a candidate since your 2nd & 3rd trimesters are not from November to March like mine (flu season). I am really struggling with this one because if you read articles and input from websites, it's a little scary. I've never had a flu shot either and I'd rather not start now. I told him I'd think about it before my next 4 week appointment. If you get the vaccine, supposedly the baby is protected from the flu until 6 months old (babies can't be vaccinated until 6 months for the flu). I don't know....we'll see.

~*Jamie*~ · October 2008

I got a flu shot at my ob appt last wednesday.

robbie3982 · October 2008

Everything that I've read says that it's ok to get at any point in pregnancy and is actually recommended. My company's doing free ones next week so I'm getting one.

berty12777 · October 2008

I absolutely got mine! First, I work in a high-risk situations (little germ bags!), so I have a lot more exposure to these kinds of illness. On the other side of that, I probably have a stronger immune system than most.

Getting the flu while pg can be a REALLY bad thing - dehydration, high fevers, etc. Also, when pg, getting the flu easily leads to pneumonia. An added bonus for me is that getting my flu shot now will actually transfer antibodies to the baby so she'll be more protected this flu season. Your immune system can be lowered by pregnancy, too, making it easier for you to catch something that you might usually be able to fight off.

The flu virus in the shot is a dead virus - you cannot get the flu from it. You definitely want to avoid the nasal spray one - that's a live virus. That said, the flu shot is just a guess about which strains of flu are going to be this year, so it's not a sure thing.

Here are a couple of interesting articles about flu shots:

https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26759200/

https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21084525/

MrsWarner · October 2008

My midwife gave me mine yesterday. I have heard it's really good for you and some of the antibodies will get to the baby also.

Stellar1 · October 2008

I got mine yesterday at 17 weeks. My nurse practitioner highly recommended it and my mom who is an RN said I should get it also. I went to Walgreens yesterday and got the thimerosol free one. My NP said that it isn't necessarily the flu that is very harmful but everything that can happen to your body after you get it. I decided to play it safe and get it. Also, everywhere I researched about who should get the flu shot said, "if you are pregnant or plan on being pregnant during flu season, then you should get it".

joanne511 · October 2008

I will be getting one.

CaseBride · October 2008

I will not be getting one because my OB does not offer thimerasol-free ones and I am extremely concerned about mercury exposure.

If you do a search you might be able to find longer posts on this... it's been discussed a lot recently.

504bride · October 2008

CVS stores that have Minute Clinics offer the thimerosol-free (preservative-free) flu shots. It's called Sanofi Fluzone.

ocean71506 · October 2008

Just got mine today! As a teacher, I am exposed to so many germs and the flu can have serious effects on pregnant women. My dr. recommended it and I have gotten one in the past, so I comfortable with it.

maramarrie · October 2008

I'm late on this, but I asked my doc about it today. He said get one and told DH to get one too. He said the last thing you want is to get the flu while there is a new baby at home who could catch it (let alone getting sick while pg).

mom2anangel · October 2008

My husband and I are both getting the flu shot tomorrow at my appointment. I asked my doctor a couple weeks ago and he said it wasn't a good idea not to get it because having the flu while pg could be terrible. Maybe since I'm past the big ultrasound (where we found out about our sons issues) is helping and the fact that I'm due during cold and flu season. The baby will also have my immunities for 6 months after birth and that's helping. I did ask the nurse if it was mercury free and she said it has a small amount of mercury in it but that they would never give me something that is unsafe. I completely trust my doctor, he's a high risk MFM and I really don't think he would provide something unsafe. But, you have to do what is comfortable for you. I was very iffy on getting this shot until I talked to him about it and did some research. I think the time of the year you are pg and due makes a difference too - I'm due at the end of January and live in MI where the flu can be nasty!

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