I've never had the flu and I've never had a flu shot. This will be the first year I get the shot, DH gets it every year. It's not just my health I have to consider this upcoming flu season.
Yep I will be. I always worry Texas will have another outbreak of swine flu. Probably ridiculous but why chance it?
Pregnancy #1 DD 08.30.2007 Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014 Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015 Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019 Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
I have never gotten a flu shot, but I plan on asking my doctor what she suggests. I only got sick really bad the first year I was married. Every year since then, never got the flu shot, but never got sick and subbed a lot. I do take two vitamin C chewables, a multi-vitamin, and a folic acid every day, so I think that helped.
I know people who got the flu shot, then got sick still. So I am skeptical. But like I said, I am asking my doctor what she suggests and following her suggestion.
I'll admit there was a very small brief moment in time when DD was a baby and needing vaccinations and I thought should I be doing this. Then I realized all the things that could potentially happen if I didn't and I let them. I think it was the best choice I ever made as a parent.
I normally never get flu shots but this being Texas and me working in a school I won't hesitate for them to juice me up.
Pregnancy #1 DD 08.30.2007 Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014 Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015 Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019 Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
While I fully respect the right not to vaccinate I an so happy to see so many pro-vax Momma's. As of 2001 the CDC reported that thermisol was removed from or drastically reduced in all vaccines except the flu shot. For those who do not trust CDC for whatever reasons can also find great information on the Mayo Clinic site, from the WHO and from the NIH. You can also find vaccination information on the American Academy of Pediatrics site.
Whether you vaccinate or not it's great to do the research and know the facts about vaccines. If you don't trust American based research you can google research from European or South American universities. Being informed is key.
The whole anti-vaccs crowd is a sad product of our society's lack of general scientific knowledge and thinking. That is precisely why our LO will be raised with a scientific mindset. Even if they choose another career path, they will at least be equipped to know wtf is actually going on.
I will get vaccinated. I think that children who are not vaccinated should not be allowed to attend public school, participate in publicly funded programs or have play dates with my future child!
Give me a break! It's not the non vaccinated that cause epidemics. FYI the people that acquired German measles and whooping cough lately WERE vaccinated.
The whole anti-vaccs crowd is a sad product of our society's lack of general scientific knowledge and thinking. That is precisely why our LO will be raised with a scientific mindset. Even if they choose another career path, they will at least be equipped to know wtf is actually going on.
Actually most anti vax parents are EXTREMELY educated and have read ALL the research. It's closed minded people like you that don't take the time to talk to them to find out why.
Pregnancy #1 DD 08.30.2007 Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014 Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015 Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019 Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
Big pharma didn't invent vaccines. I don't generally read anti-vax propaganda because it just pisses me off. If you actually do the research from reputable sources you would only find the amazingness of vaccines. Any who, I'll for sure get the flu shot. I'm a pharmacist and work in a hospital and don't desire to get the flu.
I was hesitant when I got one while pg with DD but it is required for my job. Also they had the preservative free kind so I felt better with that. I also realized that I needed to put trust in my OB and listen to her req.
After the development of vaccines, the average life expectancy increased by 30 years. Diseases like diphtheria, measles, and polio became virtually eradicated after introducing routine vaccines. Was that a coincidence?
I am not trying to convince those that are clearly antivax and are not going to change their minds despite overwhelming scientific evidence and just plain logic supporting vaccinations. I am only biting on this argument in case there are those on the fence about vaccinations.
There are many children who cannot receive vaccinations due to illnesses, allergies, etc. Their lives depend on those around them having received vaccinations (group immunity). My friends daughter has a serious white blood cell disorder and cannot be vaccinated. If she contracts one of these extremely preventable and previously virtually eradicated diseases she will almost certainly die.
This decision to vaccinate your children does not only affect your family. Please don't be so selfish just because of conspiracy theorists without credible evidence.
The whole anti-vaccs crowd is a sad product of our society's lack of general scientific knowledge and thinking. That is precisely why our LO will be raised with a scientific mindset. Even if they choose another career path, they will at least be equipped to know wtf is actually going on.
Actually most anti vax parents are EXTREMELY educated and have read ALL the research. It's closed minded people like you that don't take the time to talk to them to find out why.
I'm really not looking to get into a pissing contest, or change your mind-- nor will you change my mind. But please define 'research'? Jenny McCarthy, anecdotal evidence and non- science/ evidence based explanations won't suffice.
Married 12.14.12 TTC 01.01.14 BFP 02.26.14 MC 03.07.14 TTC again 05.01.14
BFP 05.27.14 Beyond excited and giddy with anticipation! EDD 2.2.15
"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight." } BFP #1: 6/10/11 Natural m/c 6/20/11 BFP #2: 8/30/11 Vanishing Twin diagnosed at 8 weeks, DS born 5/6/12 BFP #3: 5/24/14 stick, baby, stick! Beta 1 (16dpo): 645, Beta 2 (18dpo): 1652
This got ugly fast! Fwiw, I think both camps vaxers and nonvaxers make their decisions based on what they truly believe is best for their children. While nonvaxers are in the definite minority, you'll find that many holistic care providers don't vaccinate. I'm speaking primarily of chiropractors but also of holistic pediatricians who have a medical degrees (including our own), chinese medicine doctors (also degreed), and functional medicine doctors among others.
I used to take antibiotics, synthetic vitamins, otc drugs, etc. After dd was born I had a major health crisis and I learned a lot about my body and how it's designed to express health if I support it correctly. The vaccine issue is just a part of all of that. But surely before dd was born and I felt well enough, I would've been right there with you on the flu shot.
This got ugly fast! Fwiw, I think both camps vaxers and nonvaxers make their decisions based on what they truly believe is best for their children. While nonvaxers are in the definite minority, you'll find that many holistic care providers don't vaccinate. I'm speaking primarily of chiropractors but also of holistic pediatricians who have a medical degrees (including our own), chinese medicine doctors (also degreed), and functional medicine doctors among others.
I used to take antibiotics, synthetic vitamins, otc drugs, etc. After dd was born I had a major health crisis and I learned a lot about my body and how it's designed to express health if I support it correctly. The vaccine issue is just a part of all of that. But surely before dd was born and I felt well enough, I would've been right there with you on the flu shot.
Your body is definitely designed to support itself, but there are things bigger than your immune system can handle, that's where vaccines come in.
I got one in the first trimester with my DD and will likely get one in October with this pregnancy (as will my DH and DD). You have to get the shot though, b/c the nasal spray has live virus and isn't safe for pregnant women.
But @annagrya I don't care or judge you for almost everything you said except the vaccinations because it doesn't just affect you and your children. That's the larger point here. The fact that an increased number of people are choosing not to vaccinate is alarming and dangerous for those with compromised immune systems.
The flu shot is not the hill I'll die on, but the growing number of people not getting any vaccines that is seriously endangering vulnerable children.
I understand being skeptical of synthetic things. I eat mostly organic foods, don't use plastics, etc. I understand being very careful about what you put in your body. But the benefits of vaccines drastically outweigh the risks on this one. This is not the same as not taking vitamins, etc.
I am getting the flu shot because I work in healthcare and I study these issues, have been trained on how to take a critical eye to a study (i.e. determining if the authors used junk science or have a weak statistical analysis or didn't use sound methods when conducting their study). As such, I like to think I am well-informed on the risks and benefits of vaccinating for the flu during pregnancy. It is safe for pregnant women to get the shot, but NOT the intranasal vaccination.
To each her own on whether or not to get vaccinated. But I would like to make it clear that you CANNOT get the flu from the shot, and getting the flu shot cannot make you sicker if you do get the flu. CAN.NOT.
I understand how you feel and why it would upset you. My point with the vitamins etc is that conventional medicine advocates a lot of drugs that we take without question because it's accepted, not necessarily because it's safe or right.
@Ducktale here's an article that addresses herd immunity and why I don't feel my kid poses a threat to any vaxed kid.
https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-herd-immunity-myth-and-how-it-pits-parent-against-parent/
I understand how you feel and why it would upset you. My point with the vitamins etc is that conventional medicine advocates a lot of drugs that we take without question because it's accepted, not necessarily because it's safe or right.
@annagrya the only source cited in that article was one person's opinion book. I skimmed but I'm not even going to bother reading the whole thing since it's as credible as a blog post.
And I'm talking about the threat to kids (and adults) who cannot receive vaccinations due to medical conditions.
Conventional medicine doesn't promote vitamins. Guidelines are built on evidence based medicine. Without medications many people wouldn't be here today; including people who are lucky enough to live in an age with vaccines. Instead of banging my head against this wall I'm taking my nauseated ass to bed.
Just as an aside, there are people making money (probably lots of money) off the anti vaccination movement as well. Think of all the books, blogs (with advertising!), speaking engagements, etc.
This got ugly fast! Fwiw, I think both camps vaxers and nonvaxers make their decisions based on what they truly believe is best for their children. While nonvaxers are in the definite minority, you'll find that many holistic care providers don't vaccinate. I'm speaking primarily of chiropractors but also of holistic pediatricians who have a medical degrees (including our own), chinese medicine doctors (also degreed), and functional medicine doctors among others.
I used to take antibiotics, synthetic vitamins, otc drugs, etc. After dd was born I had a major health crisis and I learned a lot about my body and how it's designed to express health if I support it correctly. The vaccine issue is just a part of all of that. But surely before dd was born and I felt well enough, I would've been right there with you on the flu shot.
Your body is definitely designed to support itself, but there are things bigger than your immune system can handle, that's where vaccines come in.
Not sure you can "support your body" enough to ward off bacterial infections without antibiotics in all instances. I get everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And my opinion, being a pharmacist, working in a hospital setting, you should vaccinate & realize you are not above modern medicine. Pretty sure that's why people died from common diseases prior to modern medicine.
It's ridiculous this is even a debate.
*******Siggy Warning*******
*Married since 11/20/10*
*TTC since 1/12*
*Me - PCOS * DH - Azoo*
*IUI clomid 5/13 - BFN*
*IUI clomid 6/13 - BFN*
*IUI clomid 7/13 - Cancelled due to poor response*
*IUI follistim 9/13 - Cancelled due to over response*
*IVF #1 - 13R, 5M, 4F, 2 transferred on day 3 - BFN & nothing to freeze*
*IVF #2 - 7R, 4M, 4F, 2 transferred on day 3 - BFP!!!!*
To me, vaccination is an active thing you do to protect your child's health and well-being. Like buckling a kid safely into a seat, it's an action you take to protect your child. The threat is real, just like a car accident, to them and to others – as a parent and as a member of society, it's my responsibility to minimize those risks.
Awaiting our bundle of cute chaos.
F15 January Siggy Challenge: What You're Looking Forward to Most after Baby Arrives
Yes, myself and my family will get the flu shot. Last year we got the flu shot and still got a few stomach bugs, but didn't get the flu. Yes there is a difference. Most of the time when someone says they got the flu shot but still got the " flu ", they usually mean they still got a stomach bug because they think they are the same thing and they are not.
I also want to add that I grew up in an anti vax family. My father is a chiropractor and I didn't begin getting vaccinated until I was an adult and yes I was brought up to believe that regular adjustments and vitamins was enough to keep me from getting seriously ill.
I don't hold those beliefs anymore and feel extremely lucky that I didn't get sick while I was a child.
@Ducktale I'm glad you're here as a voice of reason! You rock!
I just want to clarify something: the epidemiological transition occurred *mostly* because of the development of more hygienic water and sewer systems combined with better personal hygiene practices (washing hands) and food storage and preparation practices. The introduction of most vaccines occurred shortly after the actual increase if mortality (and decrease in morbidity) due to the factors above. The classic paper on the factors causing the epidemiological transition (explaining the vast improvement immortality and morbidity) is McKinlay and McKinlay 1977. Vaccines were accountable for something like 3% of the rise of life expectancy. Medicine and Pharma often get credit for the increase in life expectancy that happened just shortly before and during the time vaccines were introduced but sadly it was mostly engineers that we have to thank for that.
Now before anyone hijacks this information to support not vaccinating their kid - do some research! The epidemiological transition takes into consideration all ages. After the epidemiological transition death rates for infants as an age group were still relatively high, in comparison with 30 year olds. Likewise death rates for other groups like the elderly and ... Dumm dum dum : women of childbearing age were high. It is for these groups of people, particularly infants that the introduction of vaccinations introduced the most improvement. It's simple historical science, if you want your kid to live vaccinate them against the scary stuff (and yourself since a lot of it can't be given to infants)!
So don't arm flail! Vaccinate your kids (unless they have a rare medical condition that prevents vaccines from being right for them). Having n ignorant parent is not a medical condition but it can turn into one.
And the poster who mentioned that vaccinations were developed well before Big Pharma was also correct. Knowing that demand that you explore medical history outside of North America. Inoculations (the parent of modern vaccines), for example, were first introduced in places in China and India a long long time before the UK and North America caught on.
Sorry this is long but I'm pretty passionate about vaccinations (because I have read a lot on it).
Abso-freaking-lutely. I had my first ever flu shot when I was pregnant with baby #1. I had my second when baby #1 was an infant, and I'll have another this time around. Husband and baby are getting them as well, especially since BABY #2 is due during FLU SEASON.
This got ugly fast! Fwiw, I think both camps vaxers and nonvaxers make their decisions based on what they truly believe is best for their children. While nonvaxers are in the definite minority, you'll find that many holistic care providers don't vaccinate. I'm speaking primarily of chiropractors but also of holistic pediatricians who have a medical degrees (including our own), chinese medicine doctors (also degreed), and functional medicine doctors among others.
I used to take antibiotics, synthetic vitamins, otc drugs, etc. After dd was born I had a major health crisis and I learned a lot about my body and how it's designed to express health if I support it correctly. The vaccine issue is just a part of all of that. But surely before dd was born and I felt well enough, I would've been right there with you on the flu shot.
Your body is definitely designed to support itself, but there are things bigger than your immune system can handle, that's where vaccines come in.
Not sure you can "support your body" enough to ward off bacterial infections without antibiotics in all instances. I get everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And my opinion, being a pharmacist, working in a hospital setting, you should vaccinate & realize you are not above modern medicine. Pretty sure that's why people died from common diseases prior to modern medicine.
It's ridiculous this is even a debate.
@weansworld09 I completely agree with you! I suppose if the anti-vax people worked in a hospital and saw the things we see they would be more open to modern medicine. My pedi said if your neighbor suffered from the effects of polio you wouldn't think twice about the polio vaccine. The only problem is there aren't many people around today that had polio, thanks to vaccines. Our generation takes things for granted, like vaccines and antibiotics.
I was really hoping someone was going to post this video. If you hadn't I was going to! It's such a great graphic way to explain what little sense it makes to not protect your child from preventable diseases.
I've never had the flu and I've had maybe one cold in the last 4 or 5 years so the flu shot has always seemed unnecessary. I have no idea what the pros and cons of it during pregnancy are, though....I need to add that to my list of things to research.
This. I have never had the flu or the shot, so I kind of want to stick with what has worked for me. As far as the baby is concerned, I need to do more research.
Re: Flu shot?
Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014
Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015
Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019
Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014
Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015
Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019
Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
Whether you vaccinate or not it's great to do the research and know the facts about vaccines. If you don't trust American based research you can google research from European or South American universities. Being informed is key.
Give me a break! It's not the non vaccinated that cause epidemics. FYI the people that acquired German measles and whooping cough lately WERE vaccinated.
Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014
Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015
Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019
Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
BFP #2 11/6/13 - EDD 7/14/14 - blighted ovum discovered @ 7w - natural m/c @ 10w3d
BFP #3 5/25/14 - EDD 2/1/15 - Hoping this is our 2nd little owl
A/S findings: Baby is a girl! EIF found on heart
but maternit21 came back neg for chromosome disorders!!
BFP 6/15/14 EDD: 2/24/15
I'm really not looking to get into a pissing contest, or change your mind-- nor will you change my mind. But please define 'research'? Jenny McCarthy, anecdotal evidence and non- science/ evidence based explanations won't suffice.
Married 12.14.12 TTC 01.01.14 BFP 02.26.14 MC 03.07.14 TTC again 05.01.14
BFP #1: 6/10/11 Natural m/c 6/20/11
BFP #2: 8/30/11 Vanishing Twin diagnosed at 8 weeks, DS born 5/6/12
BFP #3: 5/24/14 stick, baby, stick! Beta 1 (16dpo): 645, Beta 2 (18dpo): 1652
Married 12.14.12 TTC 01.01.14 BFP 02.26.14 MC 03.07.14 TTC again 05.01.14
Awesome.
BFP 6/15/14 EDD: 2/24/15
I used to take antibiotics, synthetic vitamins, otc drugs, etc. After dd was born I had a major health crisis and I learned a lot about my body and how it's designed to express health if I support it correctly. The vaccine issue is just a part of all of that. But surely before dd was born and I felt well enough, I would've been right there with you on the flu shot.
BFP 6/15/14 EDD: 2/24/15
https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-herd-immunity-myth-and-how-it-pits-parent-against-parent/
I understand how you feel and why it would upset you. My point with the vitamins etc is that conventional medicine advocates a lot of drugs that we take without question because it's accepted, not necessarily because it's safe or right.
@annagrya the only source cited in that article was one person's opinion book. I skimmed but I'm not even going to bother reading the whole thing since it's as credible as a blog post.
BFP 6/15/14 EDD: 2/24/15
It's ridiculous this is even a debate.
I just want to clarify something: the epidemiological transition occurred *mostly* because of the development of more hygienic water and sewer systems combined with better personal hygiene practices (washing hands) and food storage and preparation practices. The introduction of most vaccines occurred shortly after the actual increase if mortality (and decrease in morbidity) due to the factors above. The classic paper on the factors causing the epidemiological transition (explaining the vast improvement immortality and morbidity) is McKinlay and McKinlay 1977. Vaccines were accountable for something like 3% of the rise of life expectancy. Medicine and Pharma often get credit for the increase in life expectancy that happened just shortly before and during the time vaccines were introduced but sadly it was mostly engineers that we have to thank for that.
Now before anyone hijacks this information to support not vaccinating their kid - do some research! The epidemiological transition takes into consideration all ages. After the epidemiological transition death rates for infants as an age group were still relatively high, in comparison with 30 year olds. Likewise death rates for other groups like the elderly and ... Dumm dum dum : women of childbearing age were high. It is for these groups of people, particularly infants that the introduction of vaccinations introduced the most improvement. It's simple historical science, if you want your kid to live vaccinate them against the scary stuff (and yourself since a lot of it can't be given to infants)!
So don't arm flail! Vaccinate your kids (unless they have a rare medical condition that prevents vaccines from being right for them). Having n ignorant parent is not a medical condition but it can turn into one.
And the poster who mentioned that vaccinations were developed well before Big Pharma was also correct. Knowing that demand that you explore medical history outside of North America. Inoculations (the parent of modern vaccines), for example, were first introduced in places in China and India a long long time before the UK and North America caught on.
Sorry this is long but I'm pretty passionate about vaccinations (because I have read a lot on it).
This is exactly the same as me!
I completely agree with you! I suppose if the anti-vax people worked in a hospital and saw the things we see they would be more open to modern medicine.
My pedi said if your neighbor suffered from the effects of polio you wouldn't think twice about the polio vaccine. The only problem is there aren't many people around today that had polio, thanks to vaccines. Our generation takes things for granted, like vaccines and antibiotics.