Swine flu jab- what are you doing?

[AmIGoingMad]

Hello!
My doc phoned me the other day to ask me to go in for the flu jab. I'm nearly 36 weeks pregnant and just don't feel right about having the jab- not sure why but it's just the way I personally feel. Is it really daft for me not to have it?

[CrazyChristmasLady]

Personally I think you are daft.

I had the swine flu one before it was combined and I am having the normal flu one next week when I will be 35 weeks.

Just not worth the risk IMHO.

[CrazyChristmasLady]

Also, I ended up in hospital xmas day (nothing to do with flu) and the MW was asking who has had the swine flu jab and I was the only one. She said she is getting fed up of pregnant women not having it and we should be and she is telling everyone to get it done.

[debka]

Had it just before Christmas. All those horror stories on the news got to me. And there are no documented risks to pg women or their babies, whereas we are DEFINITELY at increased risk if we actually get flu.

[jasmine51]

I think it is very much personal choice. You can read every view possible and you wont be any better advised. Even on this forum you will get people giving scare stories either way. The news headlines do sensationalise it but I think you have to weigh up your own personal risk.
I was due to come into contact with alot of children over christmas, my husband is a paramedic and likely to also be in contact with flu cases, and I was already feeling rundown so took the decision to have the jab. Others have decided their risk is much lower and are unhappy with the (lack of) research into the long term effects of the jab so dont want it - no judgement, each to their own.
Sorry, that probably hasnt helped!

[spikydahlia]

I had my jab last week as soon as I heard about it in the press. I would have had it earlier if I knew I was at risk. Hmm...bit of a cold 'V' a possible stay in intesive care. Bit of a no-brainer I'd say!

[flowerfairy]

Had mine today at 31 weeks after putting it off after initial invite to have flu jab though no-one from gp surgery or mwsaid i should have it. Took the decision after all the press coverage plus i work in a school and decidied i wouldn't take the risk now

[Petalouda]

I had my flu vax last thursday at 27 weeks. No-brainer for me - it's an inactive virus, your immune system does all the work. If you get a bad reaction to the vaccination, you'd get a far worse result from the actual virus. And since it's got about 4 strains in it, that's 4 types of flu you could get.

I'm struggling with being 28 weeks pregnant, couldn't handle being ill on top of this uncomfortable though relatively straightforward situation!

Oh, and absolutely no symptoms from the vax itself either.

[kiwijesta]

I had mine last week too, wasn't going to but with all the goings on in the media I decided that it would be a good idea. Only side effect was a heavy arm for a couple of days. I've also had a couple of colds, and they were bad enough so I def wouldn't want the flu. I also read somewhere that the baby will be protected for 6 months after it comes out (don't quote me on that though)

[Janus]

I too had mine about 10 days ago, had absolutely no side affects, no aching arm, etc.
I had to see my GP with one of my children anyway and asked him if I should have it and he very adamantly said yes, if you get swine flu there's a much higher risk of added complications if you are pregnant. I absolutely don't want to take any risk and very much trust his judgement so had it without hesitation.
It's just this time of year that you are likely to get it so you probably run the risk for at least another 4 weeks of coming into contact with someone who is coming down with it. (btw, I had swine flu last winter, never knew who I got it from, I have 3 children and I actually had to get my other half to come home for 3 days as I couldn't physically get out of bed and that was with taking loads of painkillers, cold and flu remedies, etc, which I now wouldn't be able to take. Flu itself is hideous and I don't want to take the risk of even getting normal flu this year.)

[nancy10]

I booked mine this morning and will have it next Wednesday. I can't wait to be honest and I'd have it done right now if I could. You here so many horror stories about different vaccinations that fail to mention the consequences if you don't.

[nancy10]

Hear not here!

[je1945]

I think it's a personal choice. I was advised by my GP not to have it. I also asked my MW and she felt "unable to recommend it" and said it was a matter for each individual to decide. My GP said that he was aware that was not the 'official' line but that there really was no research on pg women so he did not feel able to tell me it was perfectly safe. He went as far to say that if his wife was pregnant he would not want her to have it and that was good enough for me as I already had a strong feeling I didn't want it. I reacted badly to vaccines when I was a baby apparently and other family members have had bad reactions to the flu vaccine previously. I also don't work in a high risk environment and have only had proper flu once in my life, so after weighing it all up I decided not to have it. But no judgement on anyone -everyone must do what they feel is best for them.

[Wigeon]

Just had it today (am 20 weeks).

Have you read this webchat with the Department of Health Director of Immunisation? Gives clear reasons why the vaccine is safe and not having it isn't.

[wigglesrock]

I am 33 weeks, had mine at 31 weeks, chased midwives for it, had to practically sign my life away to get it!!

Was in with my GP this morning, she asked had I got it, I said yes and she was "thank God, so tired of seeing ill pregnant women now worried sick about swine flu" Have posted this a couple of times but my very healthy, young, carefree sister spent one night in A&E the week before Christmas with the flu, couldn't regulate her temperature, was on a drip. It was scary for all of us, she was in so much pain, so tired etc, the thought of going through that while pregnant and having other small children at home, had me practically kissing the ground that I had decided to get the jab.

[RayeB]

Hi, I had mine at 30 weeks, Sore arm for a couple of days but it was okay. My 2.5 yr old daughter has a horrendous cold over Christmas and I've picked up the tail end of it, that's bad enough. I wouldn't be able to cope with full blown flu (not that I've ever had it but imagine it's bad). Plus have to think about what would happen to my little one if I went into intensive care. My doctor told me it was 100pc safe, and I trust their opinion. I'd say go for it. Also you don't want to risk getting flu when you've just had your baby - at least if you have it now you are protected. I don't think non pregnant non risk people can have it at the moment if you left it a bit later on after baby.

[fallingandlaughing]

I usually have flu vaccine because of other health conditions. I am covered for swine flu from last year's jags but not oth3er flu strains. My Obsetrician has advised me to wait until the end of the first trimester to have flu vaccine, so I will be having it mid-January.

[DiscoTex]

I had the flu jab at 40+2.

Very glad I did after a couple of my friends now have suspected swine flu, or at least the flu. We saw them and didn't catch anything, I will give the flu jab the credit for that...

[KnackeredNigella]

I had the jab as we had an epidemic at work last year and I wanted to stay clear now I'm pregnant. I was about 20 weeks.

Fat lot of good so far - it definitely doesn't protect you against the dreaded Christmas cough/throat/snots and tears lurgy!

Might not have swine flu but I'm still bloody miserable!

[highheelsandequations]

The reason there is no research on the effects in pregnancy is that you cannot ethically do medical research on pregnant women. The flu jab has however been used on pregnant women for many many years and there has been no recordings of any problems. I had the jab at 11 weeks, nurse said that the old guidelines stated administer after 10 weeks and the new ones state administer at any stage. I had no reaction to the vaccine and am glad to have some protection before going back to work and all the bugs after the school holidays.

[Pinetreeland]

I am 33 weeks now and I had mine about 5-6 weeks ago through BUPA. I too initially was a bit sceptical about it as the jab hasn't been around long enough. But after looking at the potential complications if I did get swine flu, I decided the jab worth the risk.

I had no side effect, babies kicking fine afterwards and still going strong at the moment so I am pleased I had myself covered. Doctor just called me 5 minutes ago asking whether I would like the jab as a few women was admitted into my local hospital over xmas weekend.

Also apparently they said if you have got flu jab during pregnancy the immunity will be passed onto the baby, which, to me, sounds like a good thing.

[fannybaws]

Had it at 30 weeks am also asthmatic so it was a no brainer.
I am a midwife and we had a mum in with it last week who was coughing so much and was soooooo miserable and tired I really felt for her.
Also babies will get 5 months or so immunity after birth if you have it so you can worry about one less thing.

[bessie26]

I had the seasonal jab (Inc SF) at around 14wks - no side effects other than a slightly sore arm. Am now 25wks, all fine.

I am never usually ill, but had flu (or at least flu like symptoms) last Feb. A week of raised temps & barely able to get out of bed, despite being dosed up constantly on paracetamol & ibruprofen. I don't want to imagine feeling like that while being pg.