Flu shot or not?

bkr88bkr · September 2015

A booklet that I received at my 8 wk OB appt suggested that I get a flu shot. My husband is a teacher and is around kids all day long, and I usually catch 1-2 colds in Sept-Oct, so I know I'm more susceptible than average. I just don't like the thought of putting anything foreign in my body right now. Any recommendations?

sunnygirlkc · September 2015

I personally won't be having it. I've had it twice before as I have asthma and both times I have developed a bad chest infection that takes months to shift and triggers my coldsores which also take months to get under control!

PeggyOlsonFTW · September 2015

I got it when I was pregnant with DS and will this time around too. The flu can kill a pregnant woman. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_vacpregnant.htm

Tippy05 · September 2015

Yes, yes, YES! I absolutely will get the flu shot and I strongly consider you do too (unless, of course, you have a medical condition or allergy that prevents you from getting one).

Not only can the flu be quite serious for a pregnant woman, my Dad has a form of Leukemia and depends on herd immunity. He and others like him who cannot get the flu shot or are more susceptible to illnesses in general depend on the rest of the "herd" to help keep them well.

Please do some research and talk to your doctor.

AmadorRose · September 2015

I will be, partly because I'm military and don't have a choice..partly because I feel strongly about staying current on vaccinations. I will very rarely get a cold after I get the shot, but I haven't had the flu since I was a kid. Also, I work in healthcare and I'm not about to bring my bean to work every day around a bunch of sick, unsanitary soldiers.

kaitlyn592 · September 2015

I will absolutely be getting it. I get the flu shot every year and it is even more important to get it while you're pregnant, especially if you might be exposed from the kids that you mentioned.

Many people are confused about the flu shot thinking it is the live virus being injected into them but it's not. It's a deactivated form that will not harm you but gives your immune system a chance to build up defenses against the latest strain.

I highly recommend you get it. While it may seem strange getting a flu shot, it can save you and your baby if you're ever exposed to the flu. Be on the safe side because there is no harm or side effects from getting it while you're pregnant (as long as you have no allergies which you can check with your doctor).

spatter1 · September 2015

I will definitely be getting my flu shot this year. I certainly understand your concerns, we want to do everything we can to protect the little bean we are growing. The flu is very dangerous for pregnant women and infants. Something that many people don't know is that while flu shots do protect mom, they also protect baby. When you get a flu shot during pregnancy you pass protective antibodies to your baby so they are born with some protection against the flu (babies are at high risk and can't be vaccinated until 6 months).

Also as PP mentions, sounds like you are already at increased risk of exposure with your husband's job (he should get a flu shot, too!). Not to mention pregnant women's immune systems can be suppressed compared to non-pregnant women because of all the changes your body is undergoing to grow a healthy baby.

I strongly encourage you to talk to your doctor about the flu shot if you still have any questions or concerns and really hope you end up getting it.

myndihallberg · September 2015

I got the flu last pregnancy and it was so terrible. I was in the hospital almost developed pneumonia from it. I'm telling you it was a terrible experience. And like PP said it can kill pregnant women because your immune system is weaker while pregnant, it can also harm your LO. I would suggest getting it. Not only is your husband around germ-y children, it's can be fatal for you and baby. Better safe than sorry!

CCLow87 · September 2015

I'm getting one! Everyone here has great points.

jonesl12 · September 2015

No question ! I'll be getting mine Friday

skc040512 · September 2015

The only 2 times I got the flu shot were the 2 years i got the flu. Bad luck? Probably. I'll most likely bite the bullet and get it this time around. Even if you get the flu after having the shot, it's usually not as bad of a case, so it'll be worth it.

Jules08 · September 2015

If I could I would! I have a severe allergy to eggs and the CDC says that I cannot get it. So DH and DS will get it and I hope that everyone else around me will. I need the herd immunity. Pregnant, asthma, & no flu shot = bad combination.

dkny155 · September 2015

Got it with 1st pregnancy and will def get it again! Rather be safe then sorry!

rebelone · September 2015

Nothing changes, yes I'll be getting it.

spatter1 · September 2015

@Jules08 there is a new version of the flu shot that does not use eggs. It's safe for people with egg allergies:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_flublok-vaccine.htm

I would definitely ask your doctor about this!

AliSummer · September 2015

I didn't get a flu shot with my first pregnancy and ended up hospitalized with the flu. I will be getting the shot this time around.

Jules08 · September 2015

spatter1 said:

@Jules08 there is a new version of the flu shot that does not use eggs. It's safe for people with egg allergies:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_flublok-vaccine.htm

I would definitely ask your doctor about this!

Yeah my Dr and I have talked about it and the issue is that it's not widely available yet.

We're hoping that it will be this fall.

spatter1 · September 2015

Jules08 said:

spatter1 said:

@Jules08 there is a new version of the flu shot that does not use eggs. It's safe for people with egg allergies:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_flublok-vaccine.htm

I would definitely ask your doctor about this!

Yeah my Dr and I have talked about it and the issue is that it's not widely available yet. We're hoping that it will be this fall.

Ah I was worried about that! Fingers crossed it's a little more widely available this year. It is still relatively new.

Kimawesome · September 2015

We all get our flu shots every year and this year is no different. My 10 year old son has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and my 16 year old daughter has asthma. So it's important for everyone in my house to be vaccinated.

kmrort · September 2015

I'm getting mine! I work in a courthouse and inmates are transported up and down my hallway. The stuff those people bring in is horrendous.

AnnikaD20 · September 2015

I'm getting my flu shot for sure, probably as soon as they start offering them this fall.

On the subject of vaccines while pregnant, the CDC recommends getting a Pertussis vaccine (TDaP) during the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy, cause it gives your baby some immunity until they're old enough to be vaccinated at 2 months. Pertussis kills babies, and lots of communities have been having whooping cough outbreaks (thanks antivaxxers). So that's something to keep in mind for this spring.

edit: TDaP not DTaP, thanks @spatter1

blonde151188 · September 2015

I will be getting mine, I always have. It is required by my job that I get it, and it would be stupid of me to not since I am in an ER and will be surrounded by it this winter.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

*lurking

Absolutely!!! Your OB will offer you the preservative free shot and it is imperative.

Jhmb2012 · September 2015

My doctor strongly recommended it but not until middle of 2nd tri. She also said to get it at her office (as opposed to Walgreens, etc) because apparently there is a special one for pregnant women. I've never gotten one before but I will this year.

spatter1 · September 2015

AnnikaD20 said:

I'm getting my flu shot for sure, probably as soon as they start offering them this fall.

On the subject of vaccines while pregnant, the CDC recommends getting a Pertussis vaccine (DTaP) during the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy, cause it gives your baby some immunity until they're old enough to be vaccinated at 2 months. Pertussis kills babies, and lots of communities have been having whooping cough outbreaks (thanks antivaxxers). So that's something to keep in mind for this spring.

Great point! And just to clarify, it's the Tdap shot you should get while pregnant, not DTaP. This is an important distinction because DTaP is the shot that children get, and Tdap is for adolescents and adults (including pregnant women). Your husbands, partners, family members, and anyone else who will be around your baby should also get the Tdap shot at least 2 weeks before the baby is born. Even if you got Tdap in a previous pregnancy you should get it again during this pregnancy because of the immunity passed to your baby the PP mentioned.

Check out some great info here: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pregnant/mom/get-vaccinated.html

Ok... stepping off my soap box now!!

amaniupendo · September 2015

definitely. I'm unfortunately relying on herd immunity right now for a different vaccine (and it's beyond terrifying) but I can do my part regarding the flu.

DougalMcG · September 2015

I will be getting every single shot my doctor recommends for all the reasons mentioned above. Every. Single. One.

amaniupendo · September 2015

Plus who wants the flu on top of all the terrible pregnancy symptoms?!?!?

teddib20 · September 2015

I got the flu shot for the first time ever when I was pregnant with DD. I got so so so so sick, for 2 weeks, then I was better, then I relapsed for another 2 weeks. I hope it was just a fluke because my doctor highly recommends it, so I will likely get it again.

karidemers · September 2015

I just got my flu shot today! I'm in college so I need to protect myself as well as my baby from the other college students that might have it. I also have never gotten the flu in my life so I have no clue what it feels like or how bad it is so I always want to be protected from it. I encourage everyone to get it is possible.

cmerribury · September 2015

Absolutely. To me this isn't even a question.

KMorley3 · September 2015

Jhmb2012 said:

My doctor strongly recommended it but not until middle of 2nd tri. She also said to get it at her office (as opposed to Walgreens, etc) because apparently there is a special one for pregnant women. I've never gotten one before but I will this year.

Wait, there is a special flu shot for pregnant women ?

kcbarbo78 · September 2015

My doctor aggressively recommended it. Pregnant women are vulnerable to the flu virus, so I'm not taking any chances. As mentioned also by a couple of others, I'll be getting a booster for pertussis, as will my husband and both sets of grandparents who will be spending a lot of time around the baby.

mrstrax · September 2015

KMorley3 said:

Jhmb2012 said:

My doctor strongly recommended it but not until middle of 2nd tri. She also said to get it at her office (as opposed to Walgreens, etc) because apparently there is a special one for pregnant women. I've never gotten one before but I will this year.

Wait, there is a special flu shot for pregnant women ?

This could possibly be the 4 strain version. Starting a few years ago they started creating a version of the flu shot that protects against 4 different strains of the flu instead of the typical 3. In the fall of 13 it was only offered to pregnant women, elderly and medically needy due to supply in my area - it almost gave away my pregnancy when I told my mom about it and didn't know it was being used so selectively. Hurts like a tetanus booster in my experience but hey, 4 shots at an educated guess is better than 3.

olivemomma · September 2015

Easy answer - yes! It's dangerous to get the flu pregnant. I wasn't a big flu shot person back in the day but have always gotten it since my first pregnancy to protect the kiddo.

kguitarchic18 · September 2015

Has anyone ever had the nasal mist instead of the shot? I have usually gotten the nasal most on the years that I got the flu vaccine, just wondering if the shot or mist is better.

UnbreakableKimmySchmidt · September 2015

I actually just asked my doctor about this at my 6 week appointment the other day and she said the earlier you get in pregnancy the better. She was able to give it to me that day. Of course, you should check with your doctor first!

AmadorRose · September 2015

The nasal mist is the live virus, albeit weakened, and not recommended for more susceptible populations. The shot is an inactive virus that allows a vaccinated person to build antibodies, though it takes a bit longer than the live vaccine to my understanding.

Edit: words are hard

queen_frostine · September 2015

I read that the nasal mist is NOT recommended for pregnant women.

I never get a flu shot - I don't tend to get sick very often. BUT I will get it this year, assuming my doctor recommends it (which I expect). I do teach college, so I'm sure I get germed.

spatter1 · September 2015

As PP said, the nasal mist is not recommended for pregnant women. Please talk to your doctor about this! I think the "special" version of the flu shot another PP may have been referring to is actually the thimerosal-free version. Thanks to the anti-vax community some people think that thimerosal, a mercury compound used as a preservative in only one kind of flu shot, is unsafe. However no studies have linked thimerosal to bad pregnancy outcomes or birth defects. Again, please talk to your doctors about the right flu shot for you!

P.S. there is more mercury in a tuna sandwich than any flu shot out there... just to give you some perspective

mumidi · September 2015

I'm a teacher and usually don't get a flu shot, but I did when pregnant with DD and will again. Getting the flu can b really serious while pregnant.

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