Flu shot?

karaelaine1991 · September 2016

Have you all decided if you're going to get a flu shot this year? I usually don't; I'm not an anti-vaxxer by any means but I know it only ever covers certain strains of the flu and most of my friends and family who get the shot end up getting it anyway, while those who don't never do. So basically, I usually decide to just throw the dice and hope for the best, but obviously this year I'm second guessing that strategy since LO is going to be born in the middle of flu season and her immune isn't going to be as strong... my only hesitation is that, like I've said, in my circle of friends and family, getting the shot seems to up our chances. Totally anecdotal and I'm sure there is zero research to back up my experience, but it is what it is, so I am hesitant. What have you all decided?

LastMango · September 2016

I'll be getting it on my next visit.

kashock-2 · September 2016

Getting it.

christac1010 · September 2016

I get one every year. Sometimes I still get the flu. I would rather just get it as a precaution though.

juliebird6 · September 2016

I normally do not get one for the same reasons as you listed, but this year I went ahead and got one. I got it in early August and haven't gotten sick yet, despite working with a number of people who refuse to stay home when sick.

emy730 · September 2016

I'll probably get one

KarliQ88 · September 2016

I'm getting it and I'm not afraid to ask my family to do it either. It's flu season right when my baby is born. I work in healthcare. I'll be on maternity leave but i still feel i need to protect myself to protect my baby.

karaelaine1991 · September 2016

Thanks for the input, all! I'll probably get it... just worried that if I do this will be the one year I'll get the flu and then I'll worry that if I hadn't gotten it, I would've been fine. Of course, if I don't get the vaccine and do get sick, I'll be kicking myself, too! Sigh... wish I could look into a crystal ball or something, haha!

TinaBelcher · September 2016

I got mine 3 weeks ago. Remember though that it's for influenza- not the stomach flu. I had influenza once when I was 21 and super healthy and I thought I was dying, I cannot even imagine an infant suffering through that

therealfrizzle · September 2016

I'm in the same boat with the same experiences as you, @karaelaine1991. Still on the fence. Something I was going to bring up at my appointment this week. I've never caught the flu before, but, after having a severe case of bronchitis and nothing I can take to ease it, I'm nervous.

johnnydro · September 2016

I had this conversation with Wifey this morning, we are coming up on the beginning of flu season. I'm going to get one. She says she won't... Hopefully the OB. Can give us guidance on this.

moosette113 · September 2016

I had never gotten a flu shot until last winter- my ILs (slash doctors) were worried I would have a negative reaction and probably get sick since I had never had it before, but I didn't have any issues.

I live in Germany where they don't recommend flu shots for healthy adults, but my OB specifically gave me a pamphlet highly suggesting flu shots during pregnancy. I'm happy they'll offer it to me without any extra hoops to jump through, and am hopeful they'll offer it to H as well.

katesmama0706 · September 2016

I plan on getting it. I usually don't but being pregnant and sick is the worst, and I cannot imagine being sick with a newborn. I'm also planning on putting restrictions on not letting anyone in my house who hasn't had a recent flu shot or TDAP. I didn't worry so much about my July baby, but January has me paranoid.

nolemomma14 · September 2016

I usually don't get it, but will this year in hopes of the baby not catching it when he arrives. My son got the flu his first Christmas and it was awful. He wasn't old enough for the shot yet, and unfortunately almost all of the extended family ended up getting it right around his baptism and he really didn't stand a chance of not getting it. DH gets one every year because he does a lot of work in hospitals and they require it.

Ive heard from a lot of people who might get it from the vaccine that it is not nearly as bad as getting the full on flu. It still stinks to get sick, but the vaccine seems to at least minimize some of the symptoms that come with the regular flu.

mrshuse525 · September 2016

I'll be getting one. I didn't start getting them until my DD#1 was born. The way it was explained to me is that the flu shot is meant for little ones and the elderly since their immune systems are 1. not fully developed or 2. not as strong anymore. So, if you work closely or will be around little ones or the eldery, it's smart to get it.

karaelaine1991 · September 2016

katesmama0706 said:

I plan on getting it. I usually don't but being pregnant and sick is the worst, and I cannot imagine being sick with a newborn. I'm also planning on putting restrictions on not letting anyone in my house who hasn't had a recent flu shot or TDAP. I didn't worry so much about my July baby, but January has me paranoid.

Ugh same here on the paranoia! DH's family in particular isn't great at not coming over when they're sick. They think they are but will brush any cough off as allergies and then without fail DD gets sick a few days later. They also never mention if they feel less than 100% until we actually see them. Just last weekend we went to a family party and DH's aunt said to me - right after giving DD a hug-, "I've had a bad cough for a month, but don't worry! I think it's just allergies." They're the worst about stuff like that!

LoneStar21416 · September 2016

I will be getting it. I will be waiting several weeks though. I just had a cold (I think) and I want to make sure my immune system isn't compromised when I get it.

amaren-2 · September 2016

I'm going to ask my OB tomorrow.for the past few years I have gotten it, but that was because I was travelling a lot or around babies.

I always have a minor reaction to it when I get it, so o hope pregnancy doesn't make it worse. Every doctor thinks I'm crazy, but I get a cough for the rest of the day.

katesmama0706 · September 2016

@karaelaine1991 yessssss they'll be sitting in my house and casually be all "oh we've all had this awful cough/ear infection/stomach flu, but it's fine now" after being there for a while. NO. Get out of my house. It makes me want to spray them with Lysol before even speaking to them because it never fails to get passed on to us. Just recently after a family trip where our niece and nephew were coughing up their lungs with "allergies" we got sick then everyone else caught it too and blamed us. Nope. That's all on you guys and your germs.

colleenkevin · September 2016

I'm planning on getting it next visit (28 weeks) and I'm bringing my daughter in to get hers this weekend. I have to talk to my husband about getting his. I know it only covers certain strains, but if I can cut down on the possibility of my family doing it and giving it to the baby, I'm all about it.

Knottie25816533 · September 2016

I get one every year and will also this year! I like to minimize my chance as much as possible.

nolemama24 · September 2016

I am glad this thread was started because I haven't gotten a flu shot in years & completely forgot about it. Maybe I should now. I will ask my OB at my next visit.

streulim · September 2016

I'm getting mine, which I do every year, but so is the rest of my immediate family. I might make a rule that you can't visit unless you have your flu shot just based on when my little guy is making his appearance. We'll see what happens with extended family.

Kurtni · September 2016

TinaBelcher said:

I got mine 3 weeks ago. Remember though that it's for influenza- not the stomach flu. I had influenza once when I was 21 and super healthy and I thought I was dying, I cannot even imagine an infant suffering through that

Yes! When people complain about getting the flu even though they got the shot, I don't think they realize a stomach bug is not the same thing as influenza.

I got actual influenza once when I was 14- young and healthy- and it was horrible. I've gotten the vaccine every year since. I can't imagine dealing with that 35 weeks pregnant or post partum or spending weeks in the hospital with a sick newborn.

stumptownmama · September 2016

I'll be getting one to protect this baby. I'm a bit nervous though because last time I got it when I was pregnant with my October baby, I got really sick a few days after and ended up in the hospital needing IV fluids. They weren't positive it was directly related to the flu shot but I really don't want to go through that again!

ThePax89 · September 2016

For sure. My husband will be getting one as well, I'm not risking having the flu around my new baby. My OB office hasn't mentioned it yet, but I'll be getting it there.

hayhay2501 · September 2016

My doctor's offers a walk in service for pregnant women to get the shot so I'll be getting it at my next midwife's appt on the 28th. I've never (knock on wood) gotten the flu as an adult but I just don't want to risk it. I'll also be getting a whooping cough shot as those are the two they highly recommend in the UK. Yay shots

sweetyjenj · September 2016

My office has a walk-in service that makes it easy...but I have never done the shot before, so OB (and myself) dont recommend it this year because I don't know how my body will react to it, and while pregnant is not a good time to try new things that could have adverse reactions.

aishmc · September 2016

Yep. We get them at work and I'm going to make sure my husband gets his too.

cjs260 · September 2016

100% for sure. My OB warned me that if I were to get the flu while pregnant, it would mean immediate bed-rest and hospital stay for IV fluids. Also, I'm more nervous about a newborn getting the actual flu than any of the possible (but highly unlikely) side effects of a vaccine.

AlabamaRedhead · September 2016

Nope, not getting it. Never have, son hasn't and DH who is an EMT and worked in doctor's offices has never gotten it. I've heard if you've never received it, you are way behind the game on any immunity it would offer, since it changes from year to year. So, we just don't, but do whatever helps you sleep at night, that's what matters.

canavara · September 2016

Got one for the first time last year and successfully avoided the flu, definitely getting it again this year. I asked the OB at my last appointment about which shots everyone close to the baby should get and she had a list, namely flu for all, the one for pneumonia as well for grandparents (if they're 65 or older), and TDAP boosters as well for pregnant women and anyone close who hasn't had theirs lately (OH's doctor made him get that during a check-up this summer when he told his GP I was pregnant).

KRB22 · September 2016

I don't normally get the flu shot, and will not get it this year either. The 2 times I have gotten it in the past I have had bad reactions, and the only time I've gotten the actual flu was 1 of those years (though I know that could have been a coincidence). Regardless, my doctor said it is best for me to forgo the flu shot while pregnant based on my history.

I also won't get the TDAP booster, as I've actually had pertussis and that provides better, more permanent immunity than the vaccine. My husband will be getting the TDAP booster, though, and likely the flu shot as well.

ceclarlinetlo · September 2016

I'm getting the shot and have for the last 6 years - DH works in a hospital and an out patient clinic so I will definitely come in contact with flu at some point. I have also had the real flu when I was 16 and I never ever want to have it ever again. My ob told me the elderly and pregnant women are the most likely patient populations to end up on respirators when they get the flu.

I can't have the TDaP vaccine because I had an allergic reaction to it as a baby but I'm having DH and grandparents get boosters.

awknyc · September 2016

I already got mine at the OB's office 2 weeks ago. DH got his too last week at work. We also have a 2 yo who will be getting hers next month.

karaelaine1991 · September 2016

AlabamaRedhead said:

Nope, not getting it. Never have, son hasn't and DH who is an EMT and worked in doctor's offices has never gotten it. I've heard if you've never received it, you are way behind the game on any immunity it would offer, since it changes from year to year. So, we just don't, but do whatever helps you sleep at night, that's what matters.

See, this is something that I feel is worth bringing up to my doctor when I bring it up at my next appointment. I know all the benefits it is supposed to bring, but like I said, with the experiences my friends and family have had I'm so hesitant because I almost feel like it'll make me -and therefore baby, since she'll be so attached to me - more susceptible to other strains that aren't in this year's vaccine. I know offering my anecdotal experience isn't really reason not to get it, but this argument makes sense to me. I'm going to ask my OB if there's any validity to this and if she says flat out no then I'll get it and if she kind of blows off the question and doesn't give a real answer, then I won't.

scgirl6113 · September 2016

I usually don't but I do each year when I'm pregnant. I get the Mercury free version. The flu could be super harmful to baby if you do get it while pregnant. I think the benefits of getting the shot far outweigh any risk associated with not getting it.

sagoon · September 2016

I will be getting it. I work in a hospital and it is highly recommended. There is no reason not to get one - you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.

zdmd_14 · September 2016

I generally roll the dice with the flu as well, but I got the actual flu last year and it was AWFUL. Woke up with a 99.5 temp on day and had 103 fever by 2pm. I made my mom take off work and drive me to the doctor 5 minutes away because I was so out of it. The body aches were horrible and I would sweat through my clothes once every hour or so. That went on for almost 3 days. I cannot imagine doing that pregnant or with a newborn. So I'll get the flu shot this year. Otherwise, I'd just chalk it up to part of the human experience.

BriannaE129129 · September 2016

This discussion is great. ..I've had mixed feelings about the flu shot. I've had it once but never again and I've also never had the flu. I'll get it if it's best for my baby but I know my father will refuse to get it, he's old school and doesn't "believe" in such things. Anyone else have this problem? I can't not let him see the baby but if he's healthy then I assume it wouldn't matter and we'd be safe?? Am I wrong?

Teach123 · September 2016

Yep, I don't always get one, but I will this year just to be safe. I'll hope that it covers the strand of flu going around. I also had the flu once at 18. I couldn't even get off the couch I was so weak. It was terrible.

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