Are you getting the flu shot?

heddy79 · September 2012

Flu season is drawing near, but I haven't had a flu shot since I was in elementary school and I haven't had the flu since then either. I know that its recommended that pregnant women get the shot, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that. I hate to even take Tylenol when I get a headache. I just want my LO to be safe. What are your thoughts?

SewSewBlessed · September 2012

I never got the flu or flu shot pre pg, but my doc recc it. I got the shot last pg and will this time, too. Apparently, getting the flu pregnant puts the baby at risk and I'm not willing to take that chance. Like I said, I got it last pg and there weren't a side effects and LO is perfectly healthy!

bhession · September 2012

It's a personal decision, but yes, I got it. It's highly recommended bc having the flu when you're pregnant can be quite dangerous. I guess you have to weigh the risks against the benefits. I'm of the mind that I trust my doc completely. He knows far more than I do about what's safe and what isn't. If he tells me to get it, I get it.

KrisM86 · September 2012

Yes. It is highly recommended for pregnant women by my midwife and every other MW/OB I have ever asked. The flu can be much more dangerous for a pregnant woman and the flu shot also protects your baby after he or she is born.

ThereBeDragons · September 2012

I'll be getting it when I recover from my cold/ear infections. It passes the immunity along to baby and when even a simple cold can flatten me during pregnancy- I don't want to take any chances at a more serious illness.

UberBiz · September 2012

Yes. I have always gotten my flu shot, so I will get it this year, too.

lovelyday39 · September 2012

Yes, as soon as my OB's office offers it, I will be getting one.

cvl105 · September 2012

Yes. My Dr highly recommends it.

+RBL+ · September 2012

Yes. I will ask the doctor at my appointment next week.

ekendall09 · September 2012

I've only gotten it over the past three years becuase it is mandatory for work. Like it or not they will make me get it this year too! I have never been affected by getting the shot so there is no reason I won't get it during pregnancy!

Ooglybear · September 2012

Definitely. We have a tot under 2, kid with asthma, and a pregnant woman in our family, which encompasses most of the "at-risk" groups.

rencontrezmoi · September 2012

Yes, I'll get the flu shot, but I hate that I usually feel pretty crappy for a day or two afterwards. I'm a nurse in a hospital, and even though it isn't mandated (yet), I always get it to protect myself and my patients. This year, it's even more important that I get it to protect my LO as well.

MechanicMama1 · September 2012

Yes I am getting it soon

BartonBaby · September 2012

I got mine at my dr appointment on the 11th. i've never had a reaction to my flu shot but this past time i did. i dont know if i already has somthing brewing and thats why it happened or not but the day after i got it i had a fever and was sick in the bed all day. if i could do it again though i would still get the shot because i'd rather have just a small reaction that lasted a day over the full blown flu.. i have three school age children so its bound to hit my house at some point...

kjesmer · September 2012

OK so it looks like ill be the one with the U/O here. I am a biologist who has worked for pharmaceutical companies for the past ten years. My job is to create and test agents for curing cancer or infection. I have constant access to the newest and best scientific research going on in the world and from all of my experience I have not/will not get a flu shot in general but especially when pregnant. I would much rather take the very slim chance of not getting the shot then voluntarily introduce a laboratory mutant strain of a normally harmless virus into my system. There are women all over the world in third world countries that survive pregnancy with none of our modern conveniences and if they can do that I can fight the flu.

Dunkin · September 2012

I nevere got a flu shot until I was pregnant with my son. My whole family now gets the flu shot every year. My son could not get a flu shot until he was 4 due to allergies, so we ALL made sure to get a flu shot to try our best to keep him safe. We never got them growing up, and I was hesitant at first. But if it is going to keep me and the baby safe, then yes. I will get my shot again this year.

kelsea1031 · September 2012

I will absolutely be getting the flu shot. I had one with DD as well. My OB's office offers them starting 10/1, so I'll be getting it at my next appointment on 10/11. DD had hers last week at her 9 month appointment and DH will be getting his next week when his employer offers them.

+RBL+ · September 2012

Grace0609:

kjesmer:
OK so it looks like ill be the one with the U/O here. I am a biologist who has worked for pharmaceutical companies for the past ten years. My job is to create and test agents for curing cancer or infection. I have constant access to the newest and best scientific research going on in the world and from all of my experience I have not/will not get a flu shot in general but especially when pregnant. I would much rather take the very slim chance of not getting the shot then voluntarily introduce a laboratory mutant strain of a normally harmless virus into my system. There are women all over the world in third world countries that survive pregnancy with none of our modern conveniences and if they can do that I can fight the flu.

Oh geez.

You sound pretty important. Too bad you don't sound very smart. The logic behind most of the last few sentences in your post is not sound. Influenza is not a "harmless" virus. Lots of women in third world countries do NOT survive pregnancy.

It is definitely personal choice to get or not get the vaccine, but your reasoning is not sound.

LOL. I work in the pharmeceutical industry too. But I do not understand how your experience in your industry and the access to all this information backs up your argument for not getting the flu shot. You are comparing yourself to an individula in a third world country, which makes no sense.

There may be plenty of women in third world contries that survive flu when they are pregnant, but I am sure there are also plenty of women who do not. I don't have any statistics to say one way or the other, but your argument is flawed.

ETA: I forgot that I quoted Grace because I wanted to say that I agree with you.

AMJ6511 · September 2012

It is so important to get your annual flu shot, especially while pregnant so of course I'm getting one

bionic4me · September 2012

Three years ago, my friends took me to the ER. I wasn't responding to them and could barely move. Ends up I was diagnosed with a bad case of the flu and if I hadn't gone in; it could have turned into a life-threatening situation. Ever since that experience, I have gotten the flu shot every year.

This is the reason why I choose to get the flu shot. I would rather be home in bed for a day or two with a mild case of the flu... then to be taken to the ER again. Luckily, I have never gotten sick with the flu shot.

MrsP7309 · September 2012

My OB office strongly recommends it, so I'll be getting it in their office at my next appointment.

sherbear1322 · September 2012

I'm getting one. My OB's office offers it and explained that the antibodies pass on to the baby, also increasing their protection. I'll be getting one for my son as well.

nikknakk4 · September 2012

Before getting pregnant I had never in my life gotten the flu shot. But at my last Dr appointment last week, my OB highly recommended it. Since it will protect me and my baby I decided to get it

mrhargr · September 2012

I will be getting one. My doc wants be to wait until the second trimester.

cymtz13 · September 2012

I will get the flu shot. I work in a medical office so all employees get them free which is a big plus.

Even if they didn't offer them free here I would get it. I don't want to risk getting the flu. When I was in HS my SIL got the flu when she was in her 5th month. She was extremely sick and unfortunatly, the baby didn't survive it. I don't want to risk it, it was horrible watching her go through that.

magnoliasonfire · September 2012

Yep, I'll be getting the flu shot soon.

tinychefjackson · September 2012

I get the flu shot every year, including when I am pregnant. The shot for pregnant women is preservative-free.

tinychefjackson · September 2012

Grace0609:
kjesmer:
OK so it looks like ill be the one with the U/O here. I am a biologist who has worked for pharmaceutical companies for the past ten years. My job is to create and test agents for curing cancer or infection. I have constant access to the newest and best scientific research going on in the world and from all of my experience I have not/will not get a flu shot in general but especially when pregnant. I would much rather take the very slim chance of not getting the shot then voluntarily introduce a laboratory mutant strain of a normally harmless virus into my system. There are women all over the world in third world countries that survive pregnancy with none of our modern conveniences and if they can do that I can fight the flu.

Oh geez.

You sound pretty important. Too bad you don't sound very smart. The logic behind most of the last few sentences in your post is not sound. Influenza is not a "harmless" virus. Lots of women in third world countries do NOT survive pregnancy.

It is definitely personal choice to get or not get the vaccine, but your reasoning is not sound.

Yes My thoughts, exactly.

meggylake · September 2012

I know of a father of 3 who died suddenly from the flu last year because he did not get his flu shot. That really freaked me out and I will be getting it every year from now on!

kblair · September 2012

I already got mine. I have never received one before but my doctor highly encouraged it.

principessa81 · September 2012

Yep. I got it when I was pregnant with Tony and I'll get it again for this pregnancy.

TeamK07 · September 2012

Once I am out of the 1st tri, 100% yes. I didn't get it my first pregnancy, didn't even think to. I ended up getting a BAD flu at ~36 weeks that almost put me into labor.

curlygirl124 · September 2012

I will! I always have and also have my two kids receive one also. Like any vaccination it doesn't 100% protect you from the flu, but can drastically decrease your odds. I have a few medical professionals in my family and they always recommend people receive their flu shot.

[Deleted User] · September 2012

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danuli8 · September 2012

Yes, I am getting it on Monday at my next ob visit. Here's a CDC link that explains how the flu vaccine is a good idea for pregnant women: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_vacpregnant.htm

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