Flu Shot?

ablake26 · September 2011

Just wondering if you are planning on getting a flu shot or not? And why or why not?

I'm torn... I've never had a flu shot and I've never had the flu. I've heard some negative things about getting them while pregnant (from my uber-natural mommy friends). Just wondering what you ladies are thinking??

blessedwithbaby · September 2011

I get one every year...but I have to since I work in a PICU. I got one with my last pregnancy and had no issues. However, I'm not giving it to my 1yr old.

Gummybear · September 2011

Get the shot. The flu is an entirely different animal when you are pregnant, and even if you never got it before, you are at a much increased risk when you are pregnant. To make a very long story short, I had a (healthy) friend get the flu (H1N1) when pregnant and they had to take her twin girls at 32w, and she ended up in heart and lung failure and on bypass for a month, and rehab for another month; and she is lucky to be alive, a true miracle. There is no conspiracy or anything, there is a reason pregnant women are on the list with the elderly, children, and sick as first priority!

bootsnbananas · September 2011

I don't remember if this was talked about here or on my month board but flu shots are very safe and recommended not only for mom but they help protect the baby when they are born.

I only get one when I am pregnant have babies in the house. I will be having my 6 year old get one this year too, not that it will stop him from bringing the germs home from school LOL

kcvasquez · September 2011

You are more likely to have worse complications and consequences from getting the flu than getting the shot while pregnant. I hear all the time about women freaking out over getting vaccines and getting their children vaccinated yet there aren't any real studies showing how horribly unsafe they are. However I see thousands of people dying from preventable illnesses each year. To each their own, I don't care if people get the flu shot or not. I will because I work at a hospital and my chances of catching the flu and putting myself and baby at risk are much higher than say a SAHM. My advice is to do your own research and not take into much account your "uber-natural mommy friends" or people on here! Everyone has their own opinion, like me, and researching non-biased information is where you will get the best information.

kthappy76 · September 2011

I got mine last week at my OB, about five minutes after I asked about it. It was non-live and thimerosol-free, which I would guess would eliminate just about any potential objection. I never got a flu shot until six years ago, when I got the flu. It was horrific. Now I'm a convert. AAP recos it for all pg women and early in the season to prevent exposure (i.e. don't wait until Nov.)

Getting the flu when pg is very dangerous (and more likely than usual), as your immune system is comprimised. I had a pg friend get it last winter and she had to be hospitalized. Besides protecting you and baby during the upcoming season, the shot will also protect baby until they can get their own shot (not until 6 mos. of age).

Hindermeier · September 2011

I will be getting mine this year (i'm 26 weeks) but i'm also an ICU nurse so we do get people with influenza... As pregnant women our immune systems are already comprimised. My husband will be getting his as well this year for the first time just because it should be effective after the baby is born. It is a personal choice but also extremely recommended for pregnant women.

3rdCopelandBaby · September 2011

Everyone in my family is getting the flu shot. And I just heard yesterday on the Today Show that the flu vaccine will last for mom and baby up until the baby is around 6 months old! I just thought it would protect me not the baby, and its perfectly safe from what Ive heard.

Ive never had the flu shot, my kids have..but this year my Dr recommended it since I am pregnant and due in the winter months.

Jen0204 · September 2011

I got the flue shot and the TDAP shot last week, which is a shot that's recommended when you're going to be around newborn babies. I'm going to encourage family members who plan on being around the babies a lot to get both shots as well, though of course it's their decision. Personally with being due in the middle of the flu season I thought it was important to get it.

KimbaleeZay · September 2011

I got it yesterday but I don't typically get it. The only reason I did is b/c I'm pg and it will protect the baby from getting it. Plus the baby can't get it for atleast 6 months and mine will be bore right smack dab in the middle of flu season.

F&G777 · September 2011

I am not getting (nor do I ever - and I will not give it to my kids).

Reason: there are hundreds of strains for the flu...the flu shot maybe protects you from about 30 (give or take) - not good enough odds for me. Plus there are so many disgusting things in the flu shot (antifreeze, formaldehyde, etc) - I do not want that in my body, fetus or child. I've had the flu (once) when I was like 25 on Christmas day - I survived...I just think that if you are healthy human being, you will survive the flu...it's not a big deal....

Gummybear · September 2011

F&G777:
I am not getting (nor do I ever - and I will not give it to my kids).
Reason: there are hundreds of strains for the flu...the flu shot maybe protects you from about 30 (give or take) - not good enough odds for me. Plus there are so many disgusting things in the flu shot (antifreeze, formaldehyde, etc) - I do not want that in my body, fetus or child. I've had the flu (once) when I was like 25 on Christmas day - I survived...I just think that if you are healthy human being, you will survive the flu...it's not a big deal....

I respect your opinion and choice not to have a flu shot, but the bolded is not true. My friend was VERY healthy and her surviving her bout with H1N1 during pregnancy was a fluke. She was treated at one of the best hospitals in the country and her surgeon told her husband that he had been handed a miracle. Having the flu and having the flu while pregnant are two VERY different scenarios.

MrsKujawski · September 2011

I get mine every year... just got mine this morning in fact. I work with kids and they're already coming in with boogers and coughs and gross colds. I would rather be safe than sorry and it's highly recommended.

sfinchWed68665 · September 2011

I had the flu one year and it was the worst feeling in the world! Since then I have gotten the shot every year and I have not gotten it again. I went to the doctor yesterday and I got my shot while I was there, so yes I recommend you get it.

hillbillysunshine · September 2011

Yep. I'll get the therm-free one. And so will my DD. Pregnant, young and elderly get it far worse than anyone else. Talk to your OB and see what s/he says.

pittOPcouple · September 2011

Flu shots are recommended for women who will be pregnant during flu season. I'd never had a shot and never had the flu but got it at my 6 month appointment. Doctor asked my husband if he was getting one (which he is through is work) and she was glad. Your significant other should get one as well. There is the potential that your SO could pass the flu to the baby once he/she has arrived.

NicoleWright8 · September 2011

My son got a lot of colds during the last winter (he goes to daycare so that's expected). I can honestly say that the hardest part of being a mother is having to take care of a sick infant. You know they're miserable but they can't tell you about it and it breaks your heart that there's nothing you can do. Not to mention that it is physically exhausting on you to take care of a sick baby. Knowing that, I do everything in my power to keep my kids from getting sick, including vaccinating them, myself, and my husband.

kcvasquez · September 2011

Gummybear:
F&G777:
I am not getting (nor do I ever - and I will not give it to my kids).
Reason: there are hundreds of strains for the flu...the flu shot maybe protects you from about 30 (give or take) - not good enough odds for me. Plus there are so many disgusting things in the flu shot (antifreeze, formaldehyde, etc) - I do not want that in my body, fetus or child. I've had the flu (once) when I was like 25 on Christmas day - I survived...I just think that if you are healthy human being, you will survive the flu...it's not a big deal....
I respect your opinion and choice not to have a flu shot, but the bolded is not true. My friend was VERY healthy and her surviving her bout with H1N1 during pregnancy was a fluke. She was treated at one of the best hospitals in the country and her surgeon told her husband that he had been handed a miracle. Having the flu and having the flu while pregnant are two VERY different scenarios.

I agree, very healthy people get the flu and can die from it as well. Just because you survived doesn't mean every person will. Also the "things" you say are in shots are not, it's someone's conspiracy theory that has led you to believe that sadly....again I don't care if you get shots or not, but spreading false information like you have been led to believe is just plain wrong. Also you may not want to wear any clothes, eat out of containers or sit on your furniture as that all contains formaldehyde....

sapphirebride06 · September 2011

I got mine last week and so did H and DS - and my mom/dad and FIL - all people who plan to be around the baby often - will get the shot. My son goes to daycare/school and I want him as protected as possible - I can't imagine caring for a sick child and having a newborn - especially with the flu.

Haley.Beth · September 2011

I've never gotten the flu shot before, but I have had the flu, about 4 years ago. That sucked. I am one of those that NEVER get sick, but that crap kicked my a$$. The girl who never gets sick & has never even taken antibiotics in her entire life ended up in the hospital hooked up to an IV because I passed out from dehydration. I haven't gotten it since because I'm stubborn and my immune system usually takes pretty good care of me, even though I've always worked with the public. Also, I am one of those people that just hates putting foreign chemicals & medicines in my body unless necessary.

That being said, I will get the shot this year. Because it's not just me I'm taking care of, that immunity will extend to my baby up to 6 months after she's born in the middle of flu season. My husband will also get the shot because he works in a prison, and the flu spreads like wildfire there every year, we don't want to take any chances.

As for the crap that's in the shots, I hate putting it into my body, but honestly, we do just as bad if not worse every day by eating preserved food microwaved in plastic containers. Our bodies are wonderfully forgiving and are efficient at getting crap out of our systems, given that we only introduce that crap in moderation.

But do your own research, and if you choose to get the vaccine, just make sure to get the shot, not the nasal version which contains the live but weakened virus and can make us sick because of our lowered immune systems.

ablake26 · September 2011

Hey! Thanks everybody for replying to my post. I appreciate all of your feedback. And, obviously this is something I will talking to my midwife about at my next visit. I just like to get a feeling for what all you other ladies are thinking and doing and feeling... as we are going through this together

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