flu vacination?? anyone had it as advised by midwife?

[woodhj]

Im in two minds about the flu jab the midwife advises you have. Im fit healthy and as we all think made of strong stuff.
Anybody had the jab and any side effects? general thoughts on it?

[AlwaysDancing1234]

I was in two minds about it and read a lot of (often conflicting) medical reports and advice. Having seen both my DS and MIL go through having real awful flu and pneumonia a couple of years ago I decided it was the right thing for me to do and had the jab. Had a sore arm for a couple of days but no other side effects and this is the healthiest winter I've had in years. I think do what's right for you, speak to your GP and midwife if you need advice.

[loopylouu]

My midwife/hospital are shockingly rubbish so they haven't even mentioned it!

Personally, I wouldn't have had it anyway. I'm not keen on vaccinations (for myself, my dc have them) and I wouldn't want any vaccinations while pregnant, it just doesn't sit right with me.

[crazykat]

I had the flu jab and whooping cough vaccine just before I had ds2. I had sore arms for a couple of days like with any injection. I did feel ill that night and went to bed as soon as DH got home and felt a bit off it (like the start of a cold) the next day.

I think I felt so bad that night as I had both vaccines together but for me it was worth it to know ds2 would be protected as I've never managed to ebf due to low supply so didn't want to take a chance that I'd be able to ebf with him.

The other deciding factor was my mum having advanced cancer and me having 3 older DCs to look after and not wanting to risk getting full blown flu and not being able to look after them and having to miss precious time with my mum.

[CaptainFabulous]

I had it with DC1, was absolutely fine, no side effects. Oh, and the swine flu jab too!

[ChicaMomma]

What loopylou said..

Plus, in 37 yrs i've never actually had the flu- so doubt i'll be getting it now either (and yes, i know your immune system is compromised while prego)

If your gut says to go for it, then go for it. My gut told me not to, so i didnt!

Also, my midwife, who herself is early stages of her first pregnancy, didnt and wouldnt have it. But all of that said, she said to me that there is no reason to not have it either.

[Amo101]

II had it last week - sore arm for two days but that was it!

[BlueChampagne]

Yes and swine flu with DS2, but I am asthmatic.

[Elliejmulligan]

I had it back in October. It was brilliant!not been ill since not even a cold!

[PenguinsDontEatKale]

I had it with DD2 because it was the year of all the panic around swine flu. This time round I haven't got around to it. Not so much because of any objection to it, but I haven't got around to it yet. I haven't had proper flu for about 20 years plus, so I'm not thinking it's that likely that this will be the year...

[firsttimekat]

I had it in November, felt rubbish for a couple of days but since then fine and hardly a sniffle since which given how ill my DH has been recently is a miracle. It was the right decision for me, I can't imagine having flu when your immune system is weaker and when there are limitations on what drugs you might feel comfortable taking.

[lilyaldrin]

I had it, sore arm but no reaction. DS had the toddler vaccination too with no reaction (nasal spray not injection).

[mrsmugoo]

I had it back in October - I get one every year as I have asthma so I get it free.

It does not contain the live virus, doesn't hurt and I had no side effects.

I have had real flu in the past and I would not wish it on my worst enemy!!

I had whooping cough vaccine 2 weeks ago, bit of a sore arm after that one for a couple of days. Would not want my newborn getting WC so to me it was a no-brainer.

[ChicaMomma]

Re the issue of 'compromised immune system'- i cant say i agree with that, purely anecdotally- i've never felt healthier but maybe i'm just lucky! All things being equal, are our immune systems weaker?

I think the only thing traditionally that has compromised my immune system is too much vino, so now that is out of the picture, i've never felt better (crossing all available limbs) and have never been eating more healthily either.

[Mummytobe2014]

I had the flu jab in Dec and had no side effects, i have it every year since having flu over xmas one year - it was awful and could not face doing that again. I have also had whooping cough jab and no side effects from that either.

[PenguinsDontEatKale]

Chica - yes, your immune system is affected. It basically shuffles about its priorities to protect the baby, downshifts in certain other areas (so as not to attack the baby as an infection) and is working hard on other bits. If you have a google there are some quite technical explanations

[eurochick]

chica the immune system has to let down some of its defences when pregnant so as not to reject the embryo - which is 50% "foreign" DNA. The stats for things like listeria and flu do show that they disproportionately affect pregnant women. I am currently bearing this out. I am very rarely ill, but currently surrounded by a mountain of snotty tissues and suffering through the worst cold I have had in years.

[ChicaMomma]

Thanks Penguin and Euro- makes sense.

[Cuckoo82]

I had it in October - midwife hadn't mentioned it but I knew from posters/adverts etc. that pregnant women are advised to have it so just booked it with the nurse. No side effects apart from a sore arm for a day. I've never had flu before and am generally healthy but didn't want to risk getting it while pregnant.

[Wombat79]

I had my jab in November and only had a slightly achey arm. Unfortunately, I caught another strain of flu last week and can honestly say its been truely awful. I have been so scared for my little one (I'm 36 weeks) and still have a high temp and awful chest now a week on (on antibiotics now). I do not know what I would have done without my DP as I have been incapable of getting out to buy food/drinks/paracetamol to try and get me through.
I would not recommend this to anyone and would therefore recommend the jab so that you avoid as many strains of flu as you possibly can.

[Writerwannabe83]

I had my flu jab when I was about 16 weeks pregnant and my whooping cough jab (4 in 1) when I was 30 weeks pregnant. Everything was fine apart from sore arms

[BlessedAssurance]

I had it with DC1 and was fine. Had it this time around 16weeks. I was sore and tired for a couple of days but have been fine ever since. I took it because i have hade flu twice before DC and i thought i was going to die. There was no way i would have wanted to go through the same when pregnant. The funny thing is i normally get colds easily but have been fit and no sniffs at all..

[ChicaMomma]

Blessed, i'm the same- normally i'd get the odd chest infection and lots of sniffles during the winter. This year, nothing. (Mind you it's only late Jan so let's not count our chickens!!) I'm convinced though it's because i'm eating so well, not drinking, and pumping myself with vitamins.

[RaRa1988]

I've had it. I didn't really want to, but the GP basically said I was putting myself and my baby in particular at risk if I didn't as the flu would be worse for me than for a non-pregnant person and could compromise my ability to look after my baby properly. I felt like shit for a week or two after it though - but being pg has made me pretty ill at times despite being usually an extremely fit and healthy person, so all in all I'm glad I had it.

[MolotovCocktail]

I had it when pg with dd2 in 2011.

I have had full-blown influenza (2007) and it was seriously unpleasant. I developed pneumonia 3m later and was very ill (aged 25!!!)

I'd always have the flu jab. Pregnant or not.

[CrispyFB]

I still remember reading about a MNer who lost her baby at term after getting the flu and being hospitalised a few years back (does anyone else remember her?) and that convinced me.

I have a very good immune system aside from stupid coughs that never leave, but I just did not want the risk. Plus I have several younger DC and the thought of juggling them whilst having the flu does not appeal!