Are you getting the flu shot this year?

bumpuser1282882 · September 2013

The flu shot thread got me thinking - will you do it this year?

Shobb414 · September 2013

I never have, are there scientific studies either way on pregnant people whether they should or should not ?

[Deleted User] · September 2013

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Mrs.N.H. · September 2013

Yes, but I will wait until the second trimester.

SVas1020 · September 2013

I was just at the dr yesterday getting lectured about getting the flu shot. Inlet her go through the whole lecture, then I said, "You don't have to worry about getting it, I make it so I am kind of obligated." And as info for other ladies- there are two different kinds of flu shots- a "preserved" and a "non-preserved". While pregnant it is recommended that you try to get the "non-preserved" although neither one will be harmful.

dancer7889 · September 2013

SVas1020 said:
I was just at the dr yesterday getting lectured about getting the flu shot. Inlet her go through the whole lecture, then I said, "You don't have to worry about getting it, I make it so I am kind of obligated." And as info for other ladies- there are two different kinds of flu shots- a "preserved" and a "non-preserved". While pregnant it is recommended that you try to get the "non-preserved" although neither one will be harmful.

What is the difference?

pattipants · September 2013

I have gotten it religiously every year since 2007, when I ended up in the hospital hooked up to an IV with the worst flu of my life. It's totally worth getting, IMO. I was at my Target pharmacy a couple of days ago and talked to them about it -- I plan on getting mine this month (I've heard Sept. is the best time).

bumpuser1282882 · September 2013

Shobb414 said:

I never have, are there scientific studies either way on pregnant people whether they should or should not ?

I was told by my family doctor that I should get it because I am pregnant. Because fever sometimes accompanies the flu, the risk of having an elevated temp while pregnant is not good.

BabyVDM · September 2013

I had a flu shot and the pneumonia shot the day we saw the heartbeat during my 2nd pregnancy. I ended up with a cellulitus infection at the injection site of the flu shot, was in hospital that evening with fever so bad that I was shaking involuntarily. I thought I was going to loose my arm. 5 days on iv antiboitics and I lost the baby.

If you get a flu shot make sure the nurse follows the correct technique and keeps the site sterile.

We now have the option of a nasal spray vaccine, so I'll be opting for that again this year.

I have never had a bad reaction to the vaccine, just the sloppy nursing.

memali26 · September 2013

It's highly recommended that pregnant women get the flu shot because our immune systems are compromised during pregnancy, which makes us more susceptible to illness.

I am not great about getting it every year, but I always make sure I get it when I am pregnant, and my kids always get it every year.

KariB509 · September 2013

When I was pregnant with DS my family doctor recommended I get a flu shot so I did. I didn't want to risk getting the flu (with accompanying fever) during pregnancy. Earlier this year, I got the flu for the first time ever and it was very miserable. Terrible body aches, fever with chills, unable to get out of bed... Definitely wouldn't want to deal with that while I'm pregnant.

fish8412 · September 2013

Yes, I am a teacher so I always get the flu shot. My doctor said it is safe and agreed that I should get it because I am a teacher.

TradeMama · September 2013

pattipants said:
I have gotten it religiously every year since 2007, when I ended up in the hospital hooked up to an IV with the worst flu of my life. It's totally worth getting, IMO. I was at my Target pharmacy a couple of days ago and talked to them about it -- I plan on getting mine this month (I've heard Sept. is the best time).

Really? My doc said to wait til October or risk getting it late in the season.

SVas1020 · September 2013

BabyVDM said:
I had a flu shot and the pneumonia shot the day we saw the heartbeat during my 2nd pregnancy. I ended up with a cellulitus infection at the injection site of the flu shot, was in hospital that evening with fever so bad that I was shaking involuntarily. I thought I was going to loose my arm. 5 days on iv antiboitics and I lost the baby.

If you get a flu shot make sure the nurse follows the correct technique and keeps the site sterile.

We now have the option of a nasal spray vaccine, so I'll be opting for that again this year.

I have never had a bad reaction to the vaccine, just the sloppy nursing.

The nasal spray vaccine is live virus, compared to the shot that is inactivated an split virus. You definitely do not want to get the nasal spray of you are pregnant.

SVas1020 · September 2013

dancer7889 said:

SVas1020 said:
I was just at the dr yesterday getting lectured about getting the flu shot. Inlet her go through the whole lecture, then I said, "You don't have to worry about getting it, I make it so I am kind of obligated." And as info for other ladies- there are two different kinds of flu shots- a "preserved" and a "non-preserved". While pregnant it is recommended that you try to get the "non-preserved" although neither one will be harmful.
What is the difference?

The difference between preserved and non-preserved is that the preserved comes in multidose vials and contains a chemical called Thimerosol that helps stabilize and preserve the vaccines. The non preserved does not contain Thimerosol and is all if your single dose vaccines.

mamamia866 · September 2013

BabyVDM said:
I had a flu shot and the pneumonia shot the day we saw the heartbeat during my 2nd pregnancy. I ended up with a cellulitus infection at the injection site of the flu shot, was in hospital that evening with fever so bad that I was shaking involuntarily. I thought I was going to loose my arm. 5 days on iv antiboitics and I lost the baby.

If you get a flu shot make sure the nurse follows the correct technique and keeps the site sterile.

We now have the option of a nasal spray vaccine, so I'll be opting for that again this year.

I have never had a bad reaction to the vaccine, just the sloppy nursing.

I was told not to get the nasal spray because it is live, as opposed to the shot, which is not.

mamamia866 · September 2013

I have never gotten the flu, with or without the shot, but working in healthcare, it is strongly suggested.

Hrose7091 · September 2013

Nope. Not getting it. Never have and pregnancy doesn't change that. Didn't get it with dd either.

ufsandra85 · September 2013

I work in a hospital. I got mine last month

huskymomma94 · September 2013

I will not be. I've never had it and I'm not comfortable getting it for the first time while pregnant. My DS had one last year at 6 months and he'll get another one this year.

bumpuser1282882 · September 2013

I really can't decide what to do. I haven't had it since I was about 10, and ultimately I really don't want to, but I'm worried I'd be putting the baby at risk if I didn't. I'm going to mull it over until October.

BabyVDM · September 2013

SVas1020 said:

I had a flu shot and the pneumonia shot the day we saw the heartbeat during my 2nd pregnancy. I ended up with a cellulitus infection at the injection site of the flu shot, was in hospital that evening with fever so bad that I was shaking involuntarily. I thought I was going to loose my arm. 5 days on iv antiboitics and I lost the baby.

If you get a flu shot make sure the nurse follows the correct technique and keeps the site sterile.

We now have the option of a nasal spray vaccine, so I'll be opting for that again this year.

I have never had a bad reaction to the vaccine, just the sloppy nursing.
The nasal spray vaccine is live virus, compared to the shot that is inactivated an split virus. You definitely do not want to get the nasal spray of you are pregnant.

Crap! I don't think I can mentally/emotionally deal with getting the shotagain when I am pregnant. I know the risks of another infection are slim, but I just can't risk it.

I always get the vaccine, ALWAYS, every year, because I don't want to get sick or spread the illness if I do. Crap, I thught the nasal spray was going to be my solution.

ugh.

laurstarx · September 2013

I already got mine. My OB kept telling me to make sure I get it. I work at a drug store and I got mine for free there

legallyginger · September 2013

I've never had one, as far as I know, but I'll be getting it this year. I've had the flu twice and it was absolute hell each time. My asthma has been worse than usual since getting pregnant, so I don't want to risk getting the flu and aggravating it. My sister has bad asthma and when she gets the flu she ends up in the hospital- no thank you!

Sarajoy317 · September 2013

Shobb414 said:
I never have, are there scientific studies either way on pregnant people whether they should or should not ?

Yes, there are LOTS of studies that say you should (just ask your doc). Be wary of anything you read to the contrary. You may also refer to cdc.gov for more info.

SVas1020 · September 2013

BabyVDM said:

SVas1020 said:

BabyVDM said:
I had a flu shot and the pneumonia shot the day we saw the heartbeat during my 2nd pregnancy. I ended up with a cellulitus infection at the injection site of the flu shot, was in hospital that evening with fever so bad that I was shaking involuntarily. I thought I was going to loose my arm. 5 days on iv antiboitics and I lost the baby.

If you get a flu shot make sure the nurse follows the correct technique and keeps the site sterile.

We now have the option of a nasal spray vaccine, so I'll be opting for that again this year.

I have never had a bad reaction to the vaccine, just the sloppy nursing.
The nasal spray vaccine is live virus, compared to the shot that is inactivated an split virus. You definitely do not want to get the nasal spray of you are pregnant.

Crap! I don't think I can mentally/emotionally deal with getting the shotagain when I am pregnant. I know the risks of another infection are slim, but I just can't risk it.

I always get the vaccine, ALWAYS, every year, because I don't want to get sick or spread the illness if I do. Crap, I thught the nasal spray was going to be my solution.

ugh.

There may be another option for you- there's a shot called an Intradermal shot that is a tiny tiny needle that only goes into the skin, compared to the "regular" flu shot that goes into the muscle. It's a smaller volume too and the only side effect I personally had was a small bump for 24hrs that looked like a mosquito bite.

I hope you find something to work for you!

FitMamaInProgress · September 2013

I'm a teacher- I should get it. I get the shot maybe every other year but usually get the flu anyway. I'm very much against medicine (ironic- my family owns a pharm company) even when not preg unless necessary. I think I'm going to opt NOT to get the flu shot and hope for the best with vitamins , hand washing and a clean diet. ... Just my choice

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