To ask wether you had the flu jab in pregnancy

[Ilovechocolatetoomuch]

Hi.
More of a what do you do.
I am not anti vaccine, however for some reason the flu jab does not sit right with me. I didn't have it with my first.
What are other people's thoughts on it?

[SomethingNastyInTheBallPool]

I did. Why wouldn't you?

[crazypenguinlady]

I had it last year when I was pregnant with my son.

[Getsorted21]

I did but unsure if I would do again. First pregnancy I came down with a cold which then developed into a severe chest infection (needed antibiotics to clear) & got another chest infection later on. 2nd pregnancy caught a cold which developed into pneumonia. Spent a week in hospital on IV antibiotics that were potentially harmful. Clearly this is anecdotal & might have no relation to the jab but both illnesses occurred soon after the jab. Would I have got so ill if I'd not had it? I didn't appear to benefit from it.

[toolonglurking]

Just had it today, and I had it last time. What's your concern?

[Crispyturtle]

I had it in both my pregnancies, I’ve had it every year since 2010 as I’m a HCP. I had it because flu can be much more serious in pregnant women than in non-pregnant people (and it’s bad enough even then), and I didn’t want to take the risk of becoming very ill. I’ve never had any problems with the vaccine, either when pregnancy or not.

[StudentMumArghh]

No I didn't have it, I didn't get ill.

[Joeywhitter]

Yes and I have no idea why you wouldn't - but then I also pay for it when I'm not pregnant and have done for years. After having proper flu once, I will take any opportunity to avoid getting it again

[AndInShortIWasAfraid]

Had it last week. I've never had the flu bit have been hospitalised loads this pregnancy and don't want to risk It!

[AprilShowers16]

Yes I had it. It's not a live vaccine so can't give you flu but I think I understood correctly from my nurse that you can sometimes feel a bit rough a few days after as your immune system is heightened. It's worth it though to protect you, your baby and people around you

[Dreams16]

I had it would rather that than have the flu

[Wolfiefan]

Yes. Both pregnancies.

[Witsender]

I haven't in this one.

[ChocolateButton15]

I've just had it (2nd trimester) I was unsure about it for a few reasons but got it done. Not sure if I would have it again as feeling very rubbish now - swollen arm, muscle aches, high temp.

[IndianaMoleWoman]

I did. My husband forgot, got flu and wasn’t allowed on the maternity ward.

[LadyLouJo]

I was reluctant to have it, it just doesn't sit well with me either. The nurse guilt tripped into though whilst having whooping cough jab though - it's not a live vaccine, it can't possibly make you ill. Guess what - I was so ill for two and a half weeks I thought I was dying - first bout of illness ALL YEAR!

I've had flu once in 37 years, so god willing there is a baba #2 one day, I won't be having it again.

[Sammysquiz]

Yes, absolutely. If you get the flu whilst you're pregnant it can cause serious complications for your baby, and even lead to still birth.

[Laurah1979]

Pregnant women are a high risk group if they contract flu and it can be fatal. This is the reason it is advised antenatally.

[iamdivergent]

Yes I had it.

[Sammysquiz]

Also, there are no active viruses in the flu vaccination, so if you're ill with flu-type symptoms afterwards it is either unrelated or you've had an allergic reaction.

[Callamia]

Both times I had it shortly before I got pregnant, but I would have had it anyway.

A friend lost twins after contracting a flu virus in her second trimester. Flu can be devastating. Of course, it's not likely that something so awful happens, but it's possible.

[NerNerNerNerBATMAN]

Yes I have and I will get the flu jab every year, even if I have to pay for it myself.

It takes two weeks to develop a full immune response to the flu jab, so for all of you saying that it gave you flu/flu like illness, this is not true. You will have been incubating flu or a flu like virus that will have come out during that two weeks after having the vaccine. Timing wise I can see why you would think the vaccine would have caused your illness, but it's an inactivated virus so it's impossible to cause flu.

It's a common misconception of the flu vaccine, and perpetuating the myth on Internet forums doesn't help.

Flu is a very nasty virus that can kill. I would strongly urge anyone who is eligible to get the vaccine for free from the NHS.

[Moanyoldcow]

Yup. And whooping cough - both last week at 21 weeks pregnant. I'm asthmatic so have it every year. I've not had flu for years.

I had it with my last pregnancy too. My arm didn't even hurt.

[Mandraki]

I was booked in for it but gave birth before the appointment came round (and then was in hosp so missed it).

[BeeFarseer]

Yes, of course I did, in all my pregnancies. Why wouldn't I? Vaccines don't magically become dangerous during pregnancy. I wanted my baby to have my immunity, since newborns can't be vaccinated against flu. It was very important to me to get it done.

[StepAwayFromGoogle]

OP, I'm 11 weeks and having it this week. Did the same with DD (now 2). Not worth taking the risk imo.