Did you get a flu shot?

PenelopeSnuz77 · December 2013

I have not gotten one since college, but felt a ton of pressure on Thursday to do it at my first appointment and got the shot.

Now I'm being a huge idiot and reading about all the terrible things it's going to do to my baby. I'm feeling some regret.

Anyone else get one while pregnant?

RachaelandCarl · December 2013

I've gotten them during all three pregnancies now and never had a complication.

honeybee434 · December 2013

I will, but my OB told me not until I'm 14 weeks, so have a few weeks to go.

1982Babies · December 2013

I did, because work pretty much requires it (hospital). I got it about the time the little seed implanted (about a week before my BFP).

RichLab · December 2013

I can't because my body react violently to it, but if yours doesn't, it shouldnt be much of an issue. The OB i was seing told me that if i didnt get it, and i was infected with the flue, horrible things could happen...apparently "violent reaction" is not horrible enough. I switched to a MW and she said that i had to listen to my body. Now, there is a heck of a lot of good but scary information, and the information is based on years of research and focus groups that are gathered to represent the general population, but rarely do. I guess next time let your practicioner know that you need to research before you let them poke you with anything.

iris427 · December 2013

I got one yesterday. Pregnant women are at high risk for flu complications if they get it. The shot won't harm your baby, but getting deathly ill from flu could.

youreggoispreggo · December 2013

My OB recommended getting it as well. I think I probably will go ahead and do it, just haven't ever gotten one where it wasn't provided by work so I haven't looked in to where/how to get one.

mrscurlygurl · December 2013

My office wants me to get it after first trimester...but it needs to be done before December is over apparently. I'll have a short window.

pantherRN · December 2013

Yes, and everyone else who is able to, should as well.

This article was post on NBCNews this week and cites facts and figures from the CDC.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/flu-vaccine-kept-80-000-out-hospital-last-year-cdc-2D11732362

runrinserepeat · December 2013

Yup. Got one at my first OB appointment a few weeks ago. I doubt they would have suggested it if it were dangerous. I'd rather have the shot than the flu any day, and especially when I'm pregnant.

[Deleted User] · December 2013

I haven't yet but I have my first appt. with the doctor on 12/30 so I'm sure we'll talk about it then.

am7rice · December 2013

Never have and never will. I've never had the flu. But DS got his shots.

brooklynesque · December 2013

I got mine a month before my IVF transfer. (TDAP, MMR, too.)

Pregnancy suppresses the immune system. Unless you've reacted badly in the past it's a good idea to get one.

reils500 · December 2013

I had one with DS without issue & got one at my first appointment with MW.

TricksyPixie · December 2013

Haven't gotten one yet... I am still pretty early, and I'll be 13 weeks by the END of December. 14 in January. May be a waste of my energy. I don't want to do anything potentially harmful to my kiddo, so..

pantherRN · December 2013

TricksyPixie said:
Haven't gotten one yet... I am still pretty early, and I'll be 13 weeks by the END of December. 14 in January. May be a waste of my energy. I don't want to do anything potentially harmful to my kiddo, so..

It is not potentially harmful.

cakebatter27 · December 2013

I got my first one ever at 4 weeks. No side effects.

V1981 · December 2013

I got it right before my BFP. Why chance the flu? But I guess same arguement could be made for all the vaccines.

RoxanneA · December 2013

Always have, always will. What a pp said, if you DON'T get the flu shot and get the flu while pregnant worse things could happen. This time I happened to get it the week I conceived but the OB said that was fine.

michellexm · December 2013

I've had a few vaccines, including the flu vaccine, during my first trimester (we recently found out I hadn't responded at all to a few key vaccines in the past and I work in healthcare, so I'm working to get caught up).

You are fine with most vaccines if they aren't live vaccines, for the most part. Always check with your OB, but flu vaccines are something you definitely want to get. Don't get the nasal mist though; that one is live and you should avoid it if you're pregnant. The injection is not a live vaccine though, and is safe and highly recommended.

Ecomom17 · December 2013

Yes, of course. Got it several weeks ago. It's very important to protect yourself and the fetus from potentially dangerous flu complications.

shamyfowler · December 2013

I haven't yet, but I'm sure they'll give me one at my appointment. I got one when I was pg with DD.

Emorylaura · December 2013

I'm a teacher so I feel like getting the flu shot is a must each year, so I got mine back in October when they came to school and gave it to everyone for free.

pfeilele · December 2013

Every year I get the flu shot, I end up getting sick a couple months later. I'm still gonna get one, but damn I have bad luck.

PregsMcSnoozalot · December 2013

my OB heavily recommended the flu shot, but i'm on immune suppressing medicine with my fertility doc, so i'm going to check with him before i get it. also, waiting until the second trimester just seems like a good idea

Athenanolen · December 2013

OB told me to wait until my 14 week appt

cookieinva · December 2013

Absolutely, probably about 3 weeks ago. Did the same with my previous pregnancy and every year thereafter; haven't gotten the flu since. I was given the preservative-free one since i am pregnant which is preferred nut not necessary. I think the benefits of getting the vaccine (for those who are able) far outweigh any possible or supposed risks.

LuluPMW · December 2013

I need some distance from all the jabs before, during and after ivf in order to work up the courage to submit to another stab. So hopefully early in the second tri.

Erin1510 · December 2013

I got one before I knew I was pregnant. It was right around the time I would have conceived though. I'm a teacher so I get one every year because kids are germ factories!

Teachermom09 · December 2013

I am a 1st grade teacher so get one every year. I got mine the day before my BFP. I got one with DS too.I have never had a problem

nicole336 · December 2013

Every time I've had a flu vaccination my lupus has flared. Since my docs want me to avoid steroids during pregnancy I am going to avoid the flu shot for now (I need steroids before and after).

youreggoispreggo · December 2013

What convinced me wasn't just the fact that my immune systems aren't as strong but that if I get the flu later in pregnancy when my lungs/organs are all smushed already it could be even more difficult to breath. That does not sound pleasant or safe!

PenelopeSnuz77 · December 2013

I have no idea if mine was preservative free or not, that is what concerns me most.

Thanks for the responses - I don't know why the hell I get on Dr. Google and do this to myself time and time again. Dumb!

[Deleted User] · December 2013

I'd never had one in my life until I got pregnant. No adverse affects- feel great and have a bit of comfort that I'll be a little protected going into flu season! Anyone know if it's safe to take Airborne while pregnant??!

iris427 · December 2013

The preservative is not going to hurt your kid. All those anti vax articles are full of fear mongering and junk science.

Dream123456778 · December 2013

I keep forgetting to ask what to do. I always get sick after taking it with flu like symptoms including fever. I will go with what my OB tells me to do.

PenelopeSnuz77 · December 2013

I'm not anti-vax. And I actually read several studies done in Europe, not an anti-vax article or blog post. I am educated and know the difference.

Do I know that the risk is small? Yes. But it seems off to me that we are warned to not consume mercury all over the place, then my doctor gives me tons of pressure to inject mercury into my body via the flu shot.

SimpleComplexity · December 2013

I work in healthcare and they don't take kindly to you not getting it. I got mine either the week I conceived or the week after.

iris427 · December 2013

PenelopeSnuz77 said:

I'm not anti-vax. And I actually read several studies done in Europe, not an anti-vax article or blog post. I am educated and know the difference. Do I know that the risk is small? Yes. But it seems off to me that we are warned to not consume mercury all over the place, then my doctor gives me tons of pressure to inject mercury into my body via the flu shot.

The form of mercury in flu vaccines, ethylmercury, does not bioaccumulate in the body, at least not in the small dose used in a vaccine. The kind of mercury you are told to avoid, like in fish, is methylmercury, which does accumulate. They are different chemical compounds that behave very differently in the body.

pantherRN · December 2013

Exactly everything that iris said. I wouldn't take the chance, but some research even speculates that it doesn't have to be inactive virus.

Also, also, research completed in Europe has different requirements than in the US. I'm not saying don't trust it, just remember that it isn't always relevant. Andrew Wakefield published his "work" in the Lancet, which is a well respected English journal.

KSwen719 · December 2013

My doctor requires all her pregnant patients to receive the flu shot. If you choose not to get it, you need to find another doctor. She doesn't want sick pregnant ladies in her waiting room, passing germs around. I have asthma and get the flu shot every year anyway, so NBD, plus my mom has cancer and is getting chemo, so everyone who comes into contact with her needs to be in tip top shape. There are flu vaccines especially for pregnant women which do not use live viruses and are preservative free, so there really shouldn't be much concern.

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