Flu Shot - my Dr is recommending it - help!

[DebBKNY]

Anyone get the regular flu shot? If so, did you end up getting sick at all from it? Ive never gotten a flu shot nor had the flu before so Im really hesitant to get one during my pregnancy in fear that I will end up getting sick or even worse - something negative happening to the twins...Ive read some scary info online about the contents of the flu shot and really dont want to get it but also don't want to put the twins at risk bc I didnt get it and ended up catching the flu Im really confused!

[lighthouse830]

From what I read about the regular flu shot (from the cdc website and from a recent baby magazine- can't remember which one), a pregnant woman who gets the flu will have a much higher risk of having complications that require hospitalization. Having the flu shot will obviously decrease (but not eliminate) the chance of a pregnant woman getting the flu.

The preservative in the flu shot, thiomersal, is necessary to prevent other bacteria from breeding in the flu shot. (there is a thiomersal-free vaccine made in single dose vials rather than a large batch, but it is harder to come by) It does contain mercury, but it is not the same form of mercury that builds up in your system (like found in fish sometimes). People are leery of having mercury in their vaccines and though there was no proof that it caused any issues, it has been phased out of most vaccinations. It is a very small amount (much less than the level of mercury thought to cause issues) that you are actually injected with.

You won't get sick with the flu from the inactivated flu shot (the nasal flu vaccine is not recommended since it does contain live virus). The virus is stripped of all its components that would normally make you sick. It is left with just enough of the inactive parts of the virus for your body to make an antibody (as my daughter puts it, the ninja fighters of your immune system!) to it so that if it sees that part of the virus again, it knows how to fight it. It takes a couple weeks for your body to be able to fight off a flu infection after getting the vaccine, so it is still possible to contract it from other people during that time.

My youngest daughter ended up in the hospital a couple of years ago from getting influenza type A (when she was 3). It was a scary experience and since then I have been a strong advocate of the flu shot.

Do some research about it, but make sure that the articles that you are reading are in fact valid. Some good sites would be the cdc (center for disease control), or who (world health organization). There is a lot of information out there, but unfortunately it is not all true. It's like that saying "I read it on the internet, so it must be true!"

We all make this decision for ourselves, and no decision is the wrong one if you feel it is right. It is something that you have to think about and decide what is best for you and your babies.

[bebehope]

I agree...every woman has to make her own decision on this.

I already posted this link in another thread about the swine flu shot, but here it is again (Dr. Sears):


AskDrSears - The Vaccine Book

[HCJ]

I also agree that every woman needs to make a her own decision on this. I personally did get the flu shot (at the recommendation of both my OB and the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist) and outside of a slightly sore arm, didn't get sick. I also plan to get the swine flu vaccine as soon as it's available.

[tdg119]

I got the flu shot at Walgreens and I did not get sick from it. I did not ask whether there was Mercury in it or not (since it was hard enough for me to find a local place to get the shot) My arm was sore for a day, but that was it.

I had never gotten the flu shot before either (at least not that I can remember)

[AriRedEagle]

I've been going through the same quandry for the same reason.

If it makes you feel any better, my OB says the flu shots for his pregnant patients are thimerisol-free. They make special batches just for pregnant women. I'm not convinced myself whether or not I will get the shot, but I have decided I am NOT getting the swine flu shot. I don't feel comfortable getting a shot that could potentially cause a neurological disorder and hasn't had much testing. Even on the CDC website it states it is unknown whether or not it could cause fetal harm...
I'm probably just going to take great care of myself and keep my kids clean. If I do get sick, I will see my acupuncturist to keep my lungs healthy and clear. Over the years, that is what has worked best, so I will keep doing that. If worse comes to worse, there is a anti-viral nasal spray for pregnant women if the worst case scenario shows up. But, that's my humble opinion. I'm not against all vaccines, but I do my own research and weigh the risks.

[LinaStar]

I was PG w/twins this time last year. I got the flu shot at 16 or 18 weeks. I was super nervous about getting it as I had never gotten one before. But my OB said that my babies would receive immunity from it up to six months after their birth. Knowing that my babies would probably come early, I went ahead and got the shot.

My girls ended up coming two months early and I'm glad I got the shot.

[em4444]

The shot is totally safe for pregnant women. I got it with my pregnancy 2 yrs ago, last year while I was breastfeeding, and this year while I a pregnant with twins. We get it as a whole family now. It is a dead virus so you don't get sick from it, just a sore arm

The nasal spray is NOT safe for pregnant women, husbands of pregnant women, or people with small childern. It is a live virus that you will get a mild case of the flu with so you build up the antibodies.

[triciaism]

My OB gave me my flu shot when I was preg. w/the girls. He gave me the preservative free one I believe. For me it was worth it to not get that kind of sick. had no problems w/the shot. Something to consider - while pregnant your immune system is working overtime so you are more suseptible to getting ill.

Tricia