Are you getting a flu shot?

ShannonSky · September 2013

And if so, when? I usually get mine when my girls get theirs at their annual check-up, but this time I won't be out of the first tri and that makes me nervous. What are you all doing?

Peaceb0ne · September 2013

I've never gotten one before, but I'll most likely be getting a flu shot. I have an appointment next week, and I plan on asking my Dr. when I should plan on getting one.

spacepotatoes · September 2013

I'll be discussing with my doctor as well. I'd really prefer to wait until I'm out of 1st tri.

caybeh · September 2013

I'll get one. I don't know when. I got my flu shot last year in Jan, so probably before Jan! I'll see what my doctor says at my appointment in Oct, and if not then, then Nov.

melissamello · September 2013

I've never received a flu shot in my entire life, and I've never had the flu. Although, now that I'm working with the public (dental) I might reconsider. I don't know, I'll have to see what my Dr. thinks.

katesy21 · September 2013

I am. I'm an RN and the hosptial system I work for mandates them for all employees unless you are allergic or have religious reasons not to get one. If you don't get one you have to wear a mask the entire flu season and that would really suck. I would get one anyway but I don't really have a choice now.

sparklingdiamond · September 2013

I get one every year and plan to get one this year as well. I am going to talk to my doctor about it at my appt on Monday.

Empireceo · September 2013

Maybe this should have been my UO. I've never gotten the flu shot and don't plan on it now.

runningyogimama · September 2013

I will be. The flu shot is like any other vaccine, where you don't only get it to protect yourself (which you should when you're pregnant), but to protect those around you who can't for whatever reason and are extremely vulnerable (very young, very old, immune compromised, etc). Just because you never get the flu doesn't mean you're not a carrier getting other people sick.

ABColeslaw · September 2013

I'm getting it as soon as I can.

Snowflake312 · September 2013

It is much safer for your baby to get the flu shot and is absolutely recommended in pregnancy.

I'm getting mine tomorrow morning.

Please consider the evidence and get vaccinated.

From the CDC:

Flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant. Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women more prone to severe illness from flu as well as hospitalizations and even death. Pregnant woman with flu also have a greater chance for serious problems for their unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery.

Flu shots will protect pregnant women, their unborn babies and even protect the baby after birth.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/pregnant.htm

"Pregnant women who received the flu vaccine were one-third as likely to get the flu as were unvaccinated pregnant women."

"Getting the flu appears to nearly double a pregnant woman’s risk of having a miscarriage or stillbirth, data from Norway during the 2009-2010 global flu pandemic show."

"The researchers calculate that women who got the flu were almost twice as likely — 91 percent — to lose the fetus than were uninfected women."

https://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/347630/description/Flu_shot_during_pregnancy_is_safe_but_flu_isnt

Health complications from influenza, such as pneumonia, can be serious and even deadly, especially if you're pregnant. Pregnant women who get influenza are more likely than women who don't get it to have preterm labor and premature birth. These are labor and birth that happen too early, before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Premature birth can cause serious health problems for your baby.

Influenza can be harmful during pregnancy because pregnancy affects your immune system. Your immune system is your body's way of protecting itself from illnesses and diseases. When your body senses something like a virus that can harm your health, your immune system works hard to fight the virus. When you're pregnant, your immune system isn't as quick to respond to illnesses as it was before pregnancy. Your body knows that pregnancy is OK and that it shouldn't reject your baby. So, your body naturally lowers the immune system's ability to protect you and respond to illnesses so that it can welcome your growing baby. But a lowered immune system means you're more likely to catch illnesses like influenza. Another reason influenza can be harmful during pregnancy is that your lungs need more oxygen, especially in the second and third trimesters, for you and your baby. Your growing belly puts pressure on your lungs, making them work harder in a smaller space. You may even find yourself feeling shortness of breath at times. Your heart is working hard, too. It's busy supplying blood to you and your baby. All of this means your body is stressed during pregnancy. This stress on your body can make you more likely to get an illness like influenza.

https://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/influenza-and-pregnancy.aspx

According to new research, if a woman develops influenza during pregnancy, her child has almost a 4-fold increased risk of developing bipolar disorder later in life.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglatter/2013/05/10/influenza-in-mom-during-pregnancy-linked-to-increased-bipolar-risk-in-children/

meli1025 · September 2013

I have never gotten one but I plan to get one now that I'm pregnant. The last time I had the flu was in 2002 and I can't even imagine feeling like that while pregnant and what it could possibly do to the baby. Having a high fever is really scary and risky during pregnancy, I don't want to take a chance. I'm going to talk to my doctor about waiting until the 2nd trimester though and see what he says.

MrsT2008 · September 2013

Yes, whenever my OB offers it to me.

awc1986 · September 2013

I'm booked in for mine next Wednesday. I'lk be 9wks 3 days and they know that. I don't think it matters about what tri you're in. All they inject you with is a deactivated version of the flu virus, so i imagine it would be worse to pass it up and actually end up getting an activated version of the virus.

Magheeta · September 2013

I'm the same as @sparklingdiamond. I get one every year through my work, and since my first appointment is before the scheduled date to get them at work, I'm going to ask about it then.

Unknown · September 2013

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SweetTea420 · September 2013

Yes I am getting one. It.is mandatory at my work. I plan on getting it in the 2nd trimester, I know they say you can have it any time but I would be more comfortable if I waited.

Chellbell20 · September 2013

I have gotten them since my first pregnancy. I am a teacher, so I can easily bring home germs I don't want to get sick from or pass to my daughter to get her sick.

kramja01 · September 2013

I got mine already! I called the OB nurse just to be sure, and she said it was absolutely safe in the 1st tri. The pharmacist I got the shot from says it takes about 3 weeks for the shot to become fully effective, so I got mine sooner rather than later since flu season around here pretty much starts in October.

KcashRN · September 2013

I'm a RN too. Mandate to get flu shot but even if I wasn't you bet I'm getting one. Flu season hit our hospital hard last year!

kristine526 · September 2013

I would really prefer not to. My doctor said he won't "make" me, but that he recommends that I get it anyway. I'll probably be a good girl and do it.

PikaPikaChick · September 2013

Absolutely, 100% getting one. I just have to figure out if my work is offering a clinic this year. Otherwise I'm going to gather up the family and go get them at the grocery store.

typeset · September 2013

I'm strongly considering not. I have a vague concern about maternal autoimmune response to the vaccine.

deanna1313 · September 2013

I was a daycare director up until last year and never had a flu shot even though I was around those germy kids. My primary doctor is not a fan and has never had a flu shot either. This makes me really unsure of what I should do. I want to talk it over with my OB at my first appt.

Janette631 · September 2013

Yes I will be getting one...just need to remember to actually go get it. I'm very bad with this.

Unknown · September 2013

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rak123 · September 2013

I will be definitely getting a flu shot.

alyssajanell5 · September 2013

My doctor said he will give me my flu shot at our next appointment. Oct 17th. Ask at your first check up. They can do them there.

SMM1986 · September 2013

I have to for work, I think I'll be out of the first tri (or very close) by the time they administer them.

jane8188 · September 2013

@typeset - I am currently trying to decide on weather im going to get the shot, I've never gotten one before. Can you explain more on the autoimmune comment? I have auto immune issues that I am not on medication for. I've been trying to do research on this as my rheumatologist recently moved. She had told me not to do anything that could stimulate my immune system.

ckandi007 · September 2013

I plan on getting one--probably the end of next month when I'm in 2nd tri.

ecinereb · September 2013

Yes but not sure when. I'm going to ask the RE next week at my appt.

typeset · September 2013

jane8188 said:

@typeset - I am currently trying to decide on weather im going to get the shot, I've never gotten one before. Can you explain more on the autoimmune comment? I have auto immune issues that I am not on medication for. I've been trying to do research on this as my rheumatologist recently moved. She had told me not to do anything that could stimulate my immune system.

Like I said, they're vague. There's a strong familial history of autoimmune disorders (RA, AS) and I have thyroid issues. My son has ASD. I can't find concrete research to support my position, but I'm reluctant to do anything to get my system going while pregnant. Obviously full-blown flu would be worse than any reaction to the shot.

mblaine512 · September 2013

I have never got the flu shot and last time I was prego I didn't get one either. People always get sick after getting them!

mrstengallonhat1 · September 2013

I didn't even think about this! I'll definitely get one, but I'm going to ask my OB if I should wait until I'm out of first tri before doing it. It may actually defeat the purpose though, as it'll almost be November by the time I get the shot.

Etta07 · September 2013

Nope. I haven't had a flu shot since I was 6 and I'll never get another one DS has never had the flu shot. We have all our other vaccines but I won't do the flu shot.

lrmrtn · September 2013

Yes, but going to ask my ob when I should. He is a huge advocate of getting the flu shot.

yvanehtnioj · September 2013

Dang I have never even considered the flu shot cause I rarely get sick but all this talk is making me want to run out and get one and stop using public transportation. I had to sit between two coughing people this morning. I was getting super annoyed.

bowerjoy · September 2013

I did yesterday

Mlewis2319 · September 2013

The first time I got the flu shot was when I was pregnant with DS and I've gotten it every year since, this year will be no different. DH will also get the shot as well as most of the grandparents.

deanna1313 · September 2013

@carabiner252 all if the children were required to get flu shots because young children, elderly And pregnant are most susceptible. not arguing with you, but just telling you the companies logic. I never thought of it before, but what your saying makes sense. I believe most daycare centers are the same way. Also, if it is against your religion or whatever you don't have to get one for your child in a daycare either. At least not this one. We were pretty strict with staff being out when sick and being sent home. Yes, I had regular contact with the children. I just believe a healthy adult body should be able to fight it on its own. My doctor is shockingly against the flu shot,also. It makes me wonder why!

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