@smorzandoj yes, the flu shot is HIGHLY recommended. It can be very dangerous to LO to come down with the flu while pregnant.
I'm actually nervous because for the last three years I've gotten the flu shot and for the last three years I've gotten the flu that had me bedridden with a fever for at least 4 days. Of course the last three years they've said "Oopsie. This flu shot isn't covering the strain of flu that's going around."
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DD born 04/28/2002 Married DH 03/25/2017 1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017 BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
@smorzandoj My doc told me I had to get the flu shot, and I hate it. I got one once and it gave me the damn flu!
Me: late 30s | H: early 30s TTC #1 since April 2015 RE Dx: Fibroids, surgery Jan 2016 IUI #1 and #2, Nov/Dec 2016, BFN IVF March 2017: ER - 5R/3M/3F, 1 PGS normal Polyp removed May 2017 FET May 2017 - BFP! Baby boy born 2/2/18
@smorzandoj not to be a fear monger, but the flu can cause preterm labor/delivery and high fever associated with the flu can lead to birth defects and miscarriage. Risks I'm personally not willing to take for the minor inconvenience of having a flu shot.
@eggplantface you actually can't get the flu from the flu shot, since it's not a live virus. Because it can take some time (up to two weeks) to build the requisite immunity, some people will get sick shortly after getting the flu shot, but it's not from the flu shot. There are also minor side effects associated with the shot -- like achiness and tiredness -- that can mimic mild flu symptoms, but are not the flu.
Yeah what I had was not mild flu symptoms. 101 degree fever, sore throat, body aches, cough that never produced anything...for 3-4 days. I could not get out of bed because my joints pained me to move. My friggin HAIR hurt. But like I said, they haven't been great on covering the actual virus strain that's making the rounds the last few years. And since I actually got the shot I have zero idea if I would have been as sick without it or not.
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DD born 04/28/2002 Married DH 03/25/2017 1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017 BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
@rainafire77 I wasn't suggesting you didn't have the flu -- just saying that the flu shot can't cause it. It's still possible to get a strain that isn't covered by the shot, or to pick up one that is covered in the time before the shot builds up enough immunity.
Unfortunately it's impossible to predict which strains will be prevalent and no guarantee that the vaccine will keep you from getting a strain that's not covered... but still good insurance to have, particularly when you're pregnant.
@smorzandoj yes, the flu shot is HIGHLY recommended. It can be very dangerous to LO to come down with the flu while pregnant.
Like what? I never get a flu shot anymore.
Not sure about while pregnant, but my doc says that the flu shot mom gets in the fall is the only protection LO has until they are 6 months and can get their own flu shot. In fact, she said I shouldn't let anyone around this baby unless they've had a flu shot AND a whooping cough vaccine. (Whooping cough is usually combined with tetanus vaccine.). February is a bad time for both and both can be incredibly serious for these babes. @karcerplus3 I can empathize with flu shot aches. I have a mild egg allergy, so that flu shot is a be-otch. Mine is scheduled for Friday, my birthday. Ugh. Happy Birthday to me.
Unfortunately it's impossible to predict which strains will be prevalent and no guarantee that the vaccine will keep you from getting a strain that's not covered... but still good insurance to have, particularly when you're pregnant.
^^^ this pretty much says it all to me. To each their own but I suggest you do your own research then speak to your doctor about it. My doctor was unable to convince me to get one.
Unfortunately it's impossible to predict which strains will be prevalent and no guarantee that the vaccine will keep you from getting a strain that's not covered... but still good insurance to have, particularly when you're pregnant.
^^^ this pretty much says it all to me. To each their own but I suggest you do your own research then speak to your doctor about it. My doctor was unable to convince me to get one.
This is why I always refuse. Why get something that isnt proven. It's ridiculous.
Confession: I am ridiculously afraid of my PP hormones.
@MrsJ2410 PP for me was very similar to my pregnancy hormones. I cried a little easier but I was largely okay. Don't worry about it until it's here! I did have a hard time when I stopped pumping. The endorphins are real!
On the flu shot topic, I never got them and never got the flu. I did get it while pregnant with DD thought. I think we all got it this year too. Her pediatrician got the vaccine and still got the flu which totally sucks AND she was pregnant at the time! We probably won't continue the flu shot for DD now that she's 18 months old. Our pediatrician recommended it because it's hard to force a baby to eat or drink when they don't feel good and then they end up needing IVs. I think we are past that with her now.
DD was sick over the weekend and has graciously passed her cooties on to me and DH. I have a lot sinus pressure and drainage that is making me sick to my stomach. DH is super stuffy and has a cough so he naturally kept me up most of the night. DD has been an absolute dream toddler today. She just wants to snuggle with me and watch shows. I'm so thankful.
Unfortunately it's impossible to predict which strains will be prevalent and no guarantee that the vaccine will keep you from getting a strain that's not covered... but still good insurance to have, particularly when you're pregnant.
^^^ this pretty much says it all to me. To each their own but I suggest you do your own research then speak to your doctor about it. My doctor was unable to convince me to get one.
I know they have varying effectiveness each year. The winter after DD1 was born (2003), there was a serious flu epidemic that was hitting newborns hard. I was terrified. Also, my ex has type 2 diabetes. Anything he gets hits him so much worse than healthy people. A cold is a two week event. He got the flu one year and was sick for a full month. So, to keep my family functioning, I insisted on flu vaccines. It definitely depends on your individual circumstances. But even vaccines that don't end up matching with the strains going around still offer some protection.
The flu shot is proven to reduce your likelihood of flu by 48%. Some years they predict the antigenic strain better and its higher, but the historical average is 48%.
Pregnant and recently postpartum women women and children <6 months have significantly higher complication rates (such as severe croup, pneumonia, encephalitis and myocarditis), including hospitalization and even death from influenza.
Other than an allergic reaction, I can't think of a compelling reason not to get a flu shot.
It it sounds like your doctor did a poor job explaining this to you!
Agree that it's an individual decision, and with everything else pregnancy-related or health-related in general, everyone owes it to themselves and their family to do their research and make a decision together with their provider. Yes, the flu vaccine is a predictive vaccine, meaning that it may not be 100% protective against every potential strain of the flu, but I like my odds of "somewhere-between-.001%-and-100%" protection over the 0% protection you get if you choose not to vaccinate. Again, it's a personal decision, but one I feel that's best for me and my LO (including for the reason @olitwinturbosnprincess mentions above, that the flu can be catastrophic for newborns, who rely on mom for immunity). No side-eye to anyone who chooses differently.
Semi related funny/sad story: When I worked at the hospital 17 years ago, I was helping in the pharmacy get caught up on their billing. It was right across the hall from the ICU and every time the door would open, I could hear an older woman yelling "Help me. Get me out of here." Finally one of the ICU nurses came by and I asked her about it. She said that since there had been a pneumonia outbreak among babies and toddlers in our community, they had six 9 month to 18 month olds in the ICU (we didn't have a NICU) and at least one or two were almost always crying at one time. This poor woman with dementia was convinced that they were kittens mewing so she must be in an animal hospital and being treated by veterinarians so she was demanding to be transferred to a "people hospital". I felt so bad for that poor woman.
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DD born 04/28/2002 Married DH 03/25/2017 1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017 BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
So glad other people are saying they will send their baby to the nursery if they need to. I was wondering if I was the only one.
Im getting the flu shot at my next appointment if this years version is in. To my knowledge it doesn't have any side effects for the baby so I feel like better safe than sorry.
We had our hospital tour last night. They have an anti- baby theft system! They put bracelets on each of the baby's ankles and if someone makes it to the first floor of the building alarms go off and the hospital locks down. My friend said they forgot to cut one off her son and they got stopped by security when they were taking him home. Not sure if I'm impressed by the security or terrified that someone would want to steal my baby!
They have this same system at my hospital. Except at mine, they cannot leave the floor. If you go to close to the elevator, the alarms will go off. Well, my PP room with DD was RIGHT next to the elevator. And, her bracelet kept causing it to go off even though we were sitting in our room. It was super annoying and SO loud!
It was really nice though, because I knew that there was no chance of my baby getting mixed up with another baby, or someone taking her anywhere
I've definitely been MIA lately. The stomach bug hit our household this past weekend. My one year old and 2.5 year old got it bad!
Speaking of MIA have we heard from @meatballs37 yet? Did I miss something. Hope y'all are okay!!
Also, I announced our pregnancy on Sunday. This will be our fourth so we'll have 4 under 5. Needless to say, some of the comments were unexpected. One dude told me I needed to "give that thing a break" It's okay though because my s16 mamas came to the rescue haha!
On a positive note, my oldest DD had her first soccer game this past weekend. She scored two goals! Proud mama moment but she definitely gets her athleticism from her daddy who plays professionally.
I've had my encounters with strangers rubbing my belly. Honestly, I thought it was a joke some people talked about. Nope, so real. I once had a women rub my belly in an elevator. I felt so violated. One time I actually told a stranger I wasn't pregnant when they said in a check out line that it's definitely twins.
If we were FB friends I would have murdered him for you.
We had our hospital tour last night. They have an anti- baby theft system! They put bracelets on each of the baby's ankles and if someone makes it to the first floor of the building alarms go off and the hospital locks down. My friend said they forgot to cut one off her son and they got stopped by security when they were taking him home. Not sure if I'm impressed by the security or terrified that someone would want to steal my baby!
Ours is the same way. You also can't get on the floor unless your know the mom's first and last name. After shit went down with the inlaws after DD2 was born, we had a password added. You had to know my first and last name and the password to get on the floor to see us.
@smorzandoj yes, the flu shot is HIGHLY recommended. It can be very dangerous to LO to come down with the flu while pregnant.
Like what? I never get a flu shot anymore.
Not sure about while pregnant, but my doc says that the flu shot mom gets in the fall is the only protection LO has until they are 6 months and can get their own flu shot. In fact, she said I shouldn't let anyone around this baby unless they've had a flu shot AND a whooping cough vaccine. (Whooping cough is usually combined with tetanus vaccine.). February is a bad time for both and both can be incredibly serious for these babes. @karcerplus3 I can empathize with flu shot aches. I have a mild egg allergy, so that flu shot is a be-otch. Mine is scheduled for Friday, my birthday. Ugh. Happy Birthday to me.
Yesss!! PLEASE have people get an updated pertussis vaccine! My OB recommends getting one if they haven't had one in the 24 months prior to baby's birth. Pertussis (whooping cough) is in the tdap with diphtheria and tetanus.
The hospital I had the boys at had a similar security system to the ones above. There was a tag on their ankle that had to stay on at all times and we had matching bracelets. Somehow #1 and his skinny ankles wiggled out of it and I had an entire floor full of nurses running down the hall to my room to make sure he was okay and still with me. Scared the shit out of me (the mob of nurses) but was strangely reassuring at the same time. We're at a new hospital this time and I'm assuming the security is the same.
Im sorry, I just can't even with the responses on here about not getting the flu shot.
I'm an ICU RN and influenza is no joke. Every year we have completely healthy people in our unit on max life support from influenza. Yes it is not 100% effective, yes you can have side effects that mimic the flu, but no-absolutely freaking not does the influenza vaccine cause influenza. 100% legit not possible,
having a a baby in February is PRIME influenza season, and you getting the vaccine is the ONLY protection your baby will get until the next round of immunization the following year. Even if it doesn't cover the primary strain(s) for the season it will still offer some protection.
Dont not base your decision to not get the vaccine on anecdotal experiences, there is very good evidence that benefits of the vaccine outweighs the risks of the vaccine (less than 1%).
Andrea (31), married Aaron (36) September 2012
Parents to fur babies Tiki and Gizzmo and 2yr old Georgia IF veterans; #1 conceived on second clomid+HCG+IUI, #2 conceived on 1st Letrozole+HCG+IUI EDD: Feb 5, 2018
We had our hospital tour last night. They have an anti- baby theft system! They put bracelets on each of the baby's ankles and if someone makes it to the first floor of the building alarms go off and the hospital locks down. My friend said they forgot to cut one off her son and they got stopped by security when they were taking him home. Not sure if I'm impressed by the security or terrified that someone would want to steal my baby!
Ours is the same way. You also can't get on the floor unless your know the mom's first and last name. After shit went down with the inlaws after DD2 was born, we had a password added. You had to know my first and last name and the password to get on the floor to see us.
If you request it my hospital will tell anyone that calls and asks for you that they don't have a patient of that name. You can also leave names of people at the security desk if you want them to be denied admittance. Thought briefly about screwing my brother and putting his name on that list but DH said no. He didn't think it would be funny.
Funny story about the security anklet things I was having a really bad recovery from a c section so my mom was helping out a lot, well she went to change DS diaper and he shot a stream of pee directly onto his security anklet and so my mom called a nurse to come change it. It was taking way to long for a nurse to come and she didn't want to leave him with pee sitting on his leg so she took it off, a few minutes later a giant security guard comes in (followed by several nurses) and says "well I see the baby" apparently the hospital I go to has a silent alarm that shuts off all the elevators and locks all the doors to exits and stairwells well this happened right as shift change was happening so nobody could leave or come in for their shifts we shut down the whole hospital for a bit lol it was mortifying!!! it's good to know that if anyone tried to take my baby they wouldn't get very far at all though!
@Aeml1985 I tried to go back and reread to make sure but I'm pretty certain no one was genius enough to say the flu shot gives them the flu.
I think someone did say they thought that the flu shot gave them the flu. And I've heard other people say that before. But it's coincidental. Some people already have a cold or the flu when they get the shot and it can make them feel worse.
@Aeml1985 I tried to go back and reread to make sure but I'm pretty certain no one was genius enough to say the flu shot gives them the flu.
I think someone did say they thought that the flu shot gave them the flu. And I've heard other people say that before. But it's coincidental. Some people already have a cold or the flu when they get the shot and it can make them feel worse.
No what I said was that I got the flu shot and got the flu anyway because the vaccine didn't cover the strain that was going around. I clarified this twice but I still don't think it was read right. And I said that I was still getting the shot even though I didn't trust I would be covered for whatever strain is going around.
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DD born 04/28/2002 Married DH 03/25/2017 1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017 BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
One of our hens hatched a chick! What's funny is...thays not her chick. She's a buff orpington and the chick is a leghorn. Lol She's being all mama hen and uber protective.
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DD born 04/28/2002 Married DH 03/25/2017 1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017 BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
One of our hens hatched a chick! What's funny is...thays not her chick. She's a buff orpington and the chick is a leghorn. Lol She's being all mama hen and uber protective.
Me, it was me who said "the shot gave me the damn flu." I should clarify: I got the shot on Wednesday, and on Saturday I got the symptoms of the flu: 101 degree fever, body aches, chills. It went away by the next day so, no, not the actual flu. Just felt like it for a bit. Sorry for the dramatic phrasing. I don't want to go through it again, but I will get the flu shot.
Me: late 30s | H: early 30s TTC #1 since April 2015 RE Dx: Fibroids, surgery Jan 2016 IUI #1 and #2, Nov/Dec 2016, BFN IVF March 2017: ER - 5R/3M/3F, 1 PGS normal Polyp removed May 2017 FET May 2017 - BFP! Baby boy born 2/2/18
Re: Randoms 9.10
DD born 04/28/2002
Married DH 03/25/2017
1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017
BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
TTC #1 since April 2015
RE Dx: Fibroids, surgery Jan 2016
IUI #1 and #2, Nov/Dec 2016, BFN
IVF March 2017: ER - 5R/3M/3F, 1 PGS normal
Polyp removed May 2017
FET May 2017 - BFP!
Baby boy born 2/2/18
DD born 04/28/2002
Married DH 03/25/2017
1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017
BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
Unfortunately it's impossible to predict which strains will be prevalent and no guarantee that the vaccine will keep you from getting a strain that's not covered... but still good insurance to have, particularly when you're pregnant.
DD born 04/28/2002
Married DH 03/25/2017
1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017
BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
On the flu shot topic, I never got them and never got the flu. I did get it while pregnant with DD thought. I think we all got it this year too. Her pediatrician got the vaccine and still got the flu which totally sucks AND she was pregnant at the time! We probably won't continue the flu shot for DD now that she's 18 months old. Our pediatrician recommended it because it's hard to force a baby to eat or drink when they don't feel good and then they end up needing IVs. I think we are past that with her now.
DD was sick over the weekend and has graciously passed her cooties on to me and DH. I have a lot sinus pressure and drainage that is making me sick to my stomach. DH is super stuffy and has a cough so he naturally kept me up most of the night. DD has been an absolute dream toddler today. She just wants to snuggle with me and watch shows. I'm so thankful.
Pregnant and recently postpartum women women and children <6 months have significantly higher complication rates (such as severe croup, pneumonia, encephalitis and myocarditis), including hospitalization and even death from influenza.
Other than an allergic reaction, I can't think of a compelling reason not to get a flu shot.
It it sounds like your doctor did a poor job explaining this to you!
DD born 04/28/2002
Married DH 03/25/2017
1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017
BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
Im getting the flu shot at my next appointment if this years version is in. To my knowledge it doesn't have any side effects for the baby so I feel like better safe than sorry.
older siblings: ds 16 dd 14 ds 13 dd 11 dd 7
matching bracelets. Somehow #1 and his skinny ankles wiggled out of it and I had an entire floor full of nurses running down the hall to my room to make sure he was okay and still with me. Scared the shit out of me (the mob of nurses) but was strangely reassuring at the same time. We're at a new hospital this time and I'm assuming the security is the same.
I'm an ICU RN and influenza is no joke. Every year we have completely healthy people in our unit on max life support from influenza. Yes it is not 100% effective, yes you can have side effects that mimic the flu, but no-absolutely freaking not does the influenza vaccine cause influenza. 100% legit not possible,
having a a baby in February is PRIME influenza season, and you getting the vaccine is the ONLY protection your baby will get until the next round of immunization the following year. Even if it doesn't cover the primary strain(s) for the season it will still offer some protection.
Dont not base your decision to not get the vaccine on anecdotal experiences, there is very good evidence that benefits of the vaccine outweighs the risks of the vaccine (less than 1%).
IF veterans; #1 conceived on second clomid+HCG+IUI, #2 conceived on 1st Letrozole+HCG+IUI
EDD: Feb 5, 2018
DD born 04/28/2002
Married DH 03/25/2017
1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017
BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
And some people are also morons. But we all knew that.
Different topic...this B at work told me I was getting fat. She clearly hasn't looked in the mirror lately. At least I'm pregnant.
DD born 04/28/2002
Married DH 03/25/2017
1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017
BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
Also - @smorzandoj how did you keep from throat punching?
DD born 04/28/2002
Married DH 03/25/2017
1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017
BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
DD born 04/28/2002
Married DH 03/25/2017
1st MMC 08/13/2016 2nd MMC 02/14/2017
BFP 06/16/17 Rainbow DS Born 02/05/2018
Me, it was me who said "the shot gave me the damn flu." I should clarify: I got the shot on Wednesday, and on Saturday I got the symptoms of the flu: 101 degree fever, body aches, chills. It went away by the next day so, no, not the actual flu. Just felt like it for a bit. Sorry for the dramatic phrasing. I don't want to go through it again, but I will get the flu shot.
TTC #1 since April 2015
RE Dx: Fibroids, surgery Jan 2016
IUI #1 and #2, Nov/Dec 2016, BFN
IVF March 2017: ER - 5R/3M/3F, 1 PGS normal
Polyp removed May 2017
FET May 2017 - BFP!
Baby boy born 2/2/18