flu jab

[nearlymumof3]

Just wondering who's had the flu jab and did you feel ok afterwards?

TIA

[Mitsouko]

Hi, I had it at 16 weeks and felt fine afterwards.

I caught the flu (maybe swine flu?) over the holidays last year and was really, ill for a week. The fever was horrible and made me shiver and sweat for nights on end. I got very confused and wasn't sure what was going on for a couple of days.

I didn't want to risk something like that again while pregnant as it could be very dangerous for the baby.

[MrsHoarder]

I've had it (at my booking appointment), felt fine apart from the "bruised" arm feeling. I then saw a hint on here that if you're sleeping on your left atm then you can ask them to give you the jab on your right arm.

[Nanny01]

I had my jab the other week 28 weeks and was fine.

[saltyair]

I've been wondering about this - does being pregnant put you into a group who should have the jab? My M/w hasn't mentioned it...

[YaMaYaMa]

Just had it at 16 weeks. Did the same last year at about 6 months or so. No probs at all.

[IssyStark]

saltyair yes being pregnant put you into the high-risk group and you should get the flu jab offered to you. It is usually organised through GPs rather than midwives, so phone your GP and ask about it (make sure to mention you are pregnant).

nearlymumof3: I had mine a couple of weeks ago at 29w and was fine afterwards. Didn't even get the sore arm.

[BeyondLimitsOfTheLivingDead]

I had it Saturday and I'm dying [hsad]
I was ill last pregnancy after the Swine Flu jab too, so not convinced its a coincidence...

They've added the H1N1 vaccine into this one, just in case anyone didnt know that (if I had earlier, not sure I would have had it done!)

[moominliz]

I had mine last week, my arm was a little bit tender (but I suppose thats to be expected) but felt totally fine otherwise

[YaMaYaMa]

Oh hang on, is H1N1 swine flu?

[Crosshair]

''is H1N1 swine flu?''

Yep. Im having mine next week, had to ring my gp hasnt been mentioned by mw or anyone.

[Sandra2011]

My arm was a bit tender for few days but that's all. Not other problems.

[YaMaYaMa]

Last year when pregnant I was given the normal flu jab and I asked about the swine flu jab and was told I was not a priority for that as I didnt have other indications, like asthma etc. But now it seems that's changed then?

[nickelbabe]

I wanted to know about this too!
Tehy only started mentioning it about 2 weeks ago (not to me, but in general, on the news and telly) saying that old people, people with asthmas etc and pg ladies should get it.

I haven't, mainly because I'm now 35 weeks, and I don't think i'm going to be pregnant long enough to worry about it affecting me.

I don't know what effect it has on the baby, and whether me having the jab would protect it.
Am I only at risk while i'm pg?
would there be any point to me having it so late in the pregnancy?
I've normally got a very godo immune system, and very rarely get ill, so why am I suddenly more vulnerable? Surely it would only have benefits to me and the baby if it were much earlier in the pregnancy?
Esp as they go on about certain problems being a problem for baby in the first trimester and for mum in the last trimester.

[Crosshair]

Its all in the one jab now.

[notcitrus]

They've decided this year that pregnant women are a significant risk group who should have the jab - I had mine this morning. No reaction so far.

Given that the H1N1 vaccine has been around longer than the rest of the flu vaccine which changes every year, it's probably the safest part!
The GP's won't do it if you're allergic to eggs though.

[saltyair]

Thank you Issy - have booked appt...I do hope i don't get ill, I'm only just getting over morning sickness!!

[Crosshair]

Pregnancy weakens your immune system, I think I've heard somewhere that having the jab can help protect your baby for so many weeks after birth, Im not certain on this, so worth doing your own research.

[GuillotinedMaryLacey]

I had it a couple of weeks ago and was fine apart from a bruised arm. I was really ill last winter and lost a baby in the middle of it. That was enough to convince me this time.

[nickelbabe]

this is the official nhs info - it doesn't answer any of my questions!

[BeyondLimitsOfTheLivingDead]

Nickelbabe I read (cant remember where sorry, baby brain! [hgrin]) that it protects the baby for 6 months from the date its given, which is why its worth having in the 3rd trimester?

Plus, yep you're more vulnerable because your immune system is repressed by the baby to make sure that your body doesnt reject it.

YaMaYaMa - I had it the other way round with last pregnancy, told I needed swine flu (H1N1) but not the "general" flu jab! How peculiar!!

[duckdodgers]

"They've added the H1N1 vaccine into this one, just in case anyone didnt know that (if I had earlier, not sure I would have had it done!)"

I vaccinated some of my colleagues last week at work and asked Occupational health for some info about the vaccine - the strain of flu caused by H1N1 is now what we would classify as seasonal flu - as it is most commonplace. So yes vaccine does cover the strain H1N1 but this is the seasonal flu now. And apparently will be according to them for the next 30 odd years.

There is a version that is produced in an egg free solution for anyone who is allergic to eggs as well.

[nickelbabe]

6 months is a good reason, then.
But surely if my immune system was that repressed, the flu jab would make me mega poorly?

[nearlymumof3]

thanks for replies. "Beyond limits" can i ask what symptoms u have? do u regret having it?

[nickelbabe]

ah, that's reassuring. I might ask about it then.
(albeit reluctantly)