Did you get a flu shot?

QSerMama · December 2013

Did you opt in or out? Why/why not? I'm still on the fence about it; almost 15 weeks along.

MrsLabRat · December 2013

Yes- no reason not to IMO. Why are you on the fence about it?

butterflymom2010 · December 2013

I get one every year. I like that baby will also be covered until he/she is old enough to get one- esp since I'll be going back to work at the end of August and he/she will be around other kids and their germs at babysitter and her older sister who goes to preschool.

Rosebud2587 · December 2013

I got one because for the past 5 Christmases I have gotten the flu. I wanted to try to avoid getting sick this year so I got the flu shot for the very first time. No flu over Christmas! However, I still managed to catch a lovely head cold.

QSerMama · December 2013

I'm on the fence because the one year I got a flu shot, I got so sick - worse than I have ever been. It was so bad, they thought I might have mono; thank god I didn't. It could've been pure coincidence, but now I always associate one with the other. I haven't had a chance to do some research in it yet, but def will. My next ob appt is jan. 13, so I'll def ask about it then. Thanks for your input ladies, it def is helpful!

curlylocks3 · December 2013

I did. It's required for work, but beyond that I think it would be irresponsible to work where I do and not get it. Even if my body can fight it off on its own my immune system is weakened by pregnancy and can use some extra help there to protect the three of us!

kimbercash79 · December 2013

Yes I did and recommend others do to protect yourself and your baby. My sister just got the flu at 38 weeks pregnant and went into labor with the flu. No thank you.

hollyfp · December 2013

No, never have.

ETA: I try my best to stay healthy by washing my hands often, minimizing contact with sick people (or people in general? no need to touch), eating healthy, exercising and taking vitamins. It works for me, and my dr did not push it or seem overly concerned.

JelloBean1 · December 2013

I never had a flu shot before in my life, so I did not want to test it out on myself for the first time when I'm pregnant.

Also, if you read the actual vaccine inserts from the FDA, it clearly states: Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pregnant women or nursing mothers.

And, all testing has only been done on pregnant rats, not pregnant women, so the FDA insert also states: Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, the vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Now, what "clearly needed" means is up to your own interpretation I guess.

You can find all of the inserts for all of the flu vaccines on the FDA's website -- they all say the same thing. Here's the link: https://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm093830.htm

I'm not saying you should or should not get one, I would just rather be informed before making a decision.

dragonfly711 · December 2013

No- as of now. Will be getting it later today at my appt.

I waited til 2 nd tri to get it. Dr said ok to wait. Mostly to ease my mind since my Mmc even though he said it would be ok.

Ladybird2014 · December 2013

I have not, but only because I've been sleeping my days away

. I want to get one soon. I have had the flu once and would rather eat rocks than get it again.

kittenslove · December 2013

I have not because my doctor recommended against it last month due to other things happening. Will see what she recommends this appointment, but I have a feeling I will skip this year.

diagonalley · December 2013

hampire said:
I did. It's free at my work. My thoughts are at best it helps me not get the flu at worst it does nothing so what's the harm

People have had some crazy side effects from the flu shot. Not that it is in any way common, but there are definitely worse things that could happen.

I am choosing not to get it at this time. I hardly ever get sick and have been working with people (working in a restaurant, then Build a Bear, and then teaching) regularly since I was 14 so I am really not worried about it. Also my doctor didn't even bring it up and when I asked she said I could but it wasn't absolutely necessary.

lsuhoneybadger · December 2013

I usually do regardless and doc recommended it so I got one at one of my first appt.

katekat8721 · December 2013

Yes, and it's perfectly safe. I got it the day that some jackass walked into work sporting the flu

chaysefaith · December 2013

No. I try to avoid taking unnecessary medications. This includes the flu vaccine as well as OTC pain meds, I prefer to let my body do what it was meant to do and fight infections and pains the natural way. My doctor also didn't bring it up so I've avoided that conversation all together.

JmeJoLee83 · December 2013

I did. My doctor recommended it since I'm a teacher and exposed to all types of illnesses. I've had no negative side effects that I know of.

dvwaldro · December 2013

I did. The doctor basically made me lol. He said if I didn't and I got the flu while pregnant that I could die. Of course it freaked me out a bit lol

shellbell813 · December 2013

I don't get it for multiple reasons. The main being it only protects against about 4% of the "flu" viruses out there, and it's main protection is against the strain that was most popular to contract last year. Meaning, I probably already had that strain and am already protected against it as you only get the same strain once.

Quote Fail: THIS. Also, I was told once before they gave it to me that I shouldn't get it if I had any symptoms, even the sniffles. I didn't get it. I have terrible allergies year-round and CONSTANTLY have sinus issues and such. I know plenty of people who have gotten the flu even after the flu shot, and plenty more that have got marginally sick from the flu shot. I would rather take my chances with the actual flu. It's no fun, but I've had almost every different kind over the years and survived them all.

mek20 · December 2013

dvwaldro said:

I did. The doctor basically made me lol.

Yup, my doctor gave me the option but told me that she strongly advises I get it. I work with K-2 students mostly, who don't wash their hands as much as I would like them too.

babyt614 · December 2013

I have had the flu shot 3 times in my life and all three I have been the 1 in 300 or whatever people who gets a high fever and is out for a few days as my body tries to process it. (one time I even fainted multiple times. My body just does not do well with meds in general though- I had surgery and couldn't keep down the pain killers even with anti-nausea meds etc.) Since then I haven't gotten it and in the 5 years i've only had the flu one time so i'll take 1/5 odds instead of 3/3 odds to protect my little one from the high fever.

AllyTales · December 2013

SNLT1012 said:

No. I try to avoid taking unnecessary medications. This includes the flu vaccine as well as OTC pain meds, I prefer to let my body do what it was meant to do and fight infections and pains the natural way. My doctor also didn't bring it up so I've avoided that conversation all together.

Same

eryale · December 2013

They offered it free through my work when my DH and I were TTC, so I did it... Normally I don't and last year was the only year I recall getting the flu. I was so sick I thought I'd die though. It was miserable, and I can't imagine being that ill while pregnant. That being said, I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable getting the vaccine after finding out I was pregnant though?! So, it's really a personal choice after reading the literature and talking to your doc.

PinkKEL9 · December 2013

My Dr said it was common practice to give them to pregnant ladies. So I got it at my very first apt. I had never had it before in my life.

ElTrain5 · December 2013

My midwives never even brought it up.

iris427 · December 2013

I got it. When you are pregnant, your immune system is impaired, so your body is less able to fight off the flu. Pregnant women are more likely to suffer serious complications from the flu. Furthermore, while there is no evidence that the flu shot increases risk during pregnancy, getting the flu while pregnant significantly increases the chance of fetal death. One study found that pregnant women diagnosed with flu were almost twice as likely to lose their baby:

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/health/study-confirms-benefits-of-flu-vaccine-for-pregnant-women.html?_r=1&

kbellizio3 · December 2013

Doctor recommended it to myself an DH, I've only gotten it once and I got extremely sick. Last time I had the flu I was in 3rd grade. I know that I'm more succeptible to it because I'm pregnant, but that one bad experience scared me from it. DH also doesn't work with customers, so his chances of getting it are much lower. I'm also not fond of vaccines in general, more for personal reasons, and I don't like how the FDA doesn't know how it affects pregnant women. However there are good reasons to get it too.

almendarez · December 2013

Ask for the preservative free flu shot! There is no reason not to get one.

Luna C · December 2013

I got it because I understand basic science and that NOT getting the vaccine puts me and the baby at greater risk as well as the fact there there is ZERO evidence of there being any risk to the baby from the vaccine.

There are a lot of very questionable statements in this thread. I find it hard to believe some of you have done the research you claim to have done. Because if you did, you'd realize it is really stupid not to get the shot when pregnant.

MrsRage · December 2013

I got the flu shot this year for the first time. All of my doctors recommend it for anyone who is pregnant or trying to get pregnant. I got the mercury free one and did not have any side effects. Totally a personal choice, but anything I can do to protect myself and the baby I'm on board.

SarainColorado2013 · December 2013

Oy - yes, so many myths on this thread. This list debunks them all.

https://gizmodo.com/setting-the-record-straight-debunking-all-the-flu-vacc-1455630807

Get the shot...good for you, good for baby, good for your community.

Luna C · December 2013

almendarez said:

Ask for the preservative free flu shot! There is no reason not to get one.

You don't even need to get the preservative free one. Even the most conservative doctor at my practice who frowns on nail polish and hair dye says the shot with preservative is totally safe.

Cherylwang · December 2013

I don't usually get one but at my first apt my doctor offered it so I got it.

Susanrush13 · December 2013

I never get them but my doctor kinda persuaded me into it. I still got sick a few weeks later so apparently my immune system is a big pile of poopy.

MrsNunes · December 2013

Yes. I teach 2nd grade and get one every year because come January/February it becomes a whole epidemic throughout the school for those that don't inoculate their children. No judgements here, I would just rather not have the flu while pregnant...or otherwise. I get it for my 2 yr old as well (though I haven't yet this year)

curlylocks3 · December 2013

joules235 said:

Luna C said:

I got it because I understand basic science and that NOT getting the vaccine puts me and the baby at greater risk as well as the fact there there is ZERO evidence of there being any risk to the baby from the vaccine.

There are a lot of very questionable statements in this thread. I find it hard to believe some of you have done the research you claim to have done. Because if you did, you'd realize it is really stupid not to get the shot when pregnant.

Hello Judgy Judy :-h

Oh please. If you're going to go there at least admit that her statement is no different than plenty that you have made on other topics.

Luna C · December 2013

curlylocks3 said:

joules235 said:

Luna C said:

I got it because I understand basic science and that NOT getting the vaccine puts me and the baby at greater risk as well as the fact there there is ZERO evidence of there being any risk to the baby from the vaccine.

There are a lot of very questionable statements in this thread. I find it hard to believe some of you have done the research you claim to have done. Because if you did, you'd realize it is really stupid not to get the shot when pregnant.

Hello Judgy Judy :-h

Oh please. If you're going to go there at least admit that her statement is no different than plenty that you have made on other topics.

Actually, there are volumes of scientific research backing up what I said. So... my statements are quite different from those of someone who claims she "healed" cavities through diet. The eyerolling is appropriate -- just not on my post.

diagonalley · December 2013

Luna C said:
I got it because I understand basic science and that NOT getting the vaccine puts me and the baby at greater risk as well as the fact there there is ZERO evidence of there being any risk to the baby from the vaccine.

There are a lot of very questionable statements in this thread. I find it hard to believe some of you have done the research you claim to have done. Because if you did, you'd realize it is really stupid not to get the shot when pregnant.

If my doctor felt it was necessary I am pretty sure she would have brought it up or strongly encouraged it when I asked her about it. I trust her opinion considering she is also pregnant.

ElTrain5 · December 2013

@LunaC, legitimate question here, did you come across any studies/articles discussing the effects on a fetus of the flu? All I could find were general "there are effects" statements, but no actual statistics on exactly how the flu effects a fetus. If you've got em, I'm interested

Edit: I ask you specifically since you're one of the few people that when they say they "researched" something, I know you actually did

SarainColorado2013 · December 2013

Here's some interesting studies:

Getting the flu during pregnancy increases your baby's chance of developing bipolar disorder by 400%: https://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1686037.

Getting the flu during pregnancy increases odds of schizophrenia too: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20123911

Flu during pregnancy associated with fetal death, risk declines with vaccination: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1207210

Flu vaccine during pregnancy associated with better birth outcomes: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300606?journalCode=ajph&&

Honestly, why wouldn't you?

SarainColorado2013 · December 2013

@joules235 That doesn't mean you couldn't get it in the future. I've never been in a car crash (knock on wood) but I still wear my seat belt.

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