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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To cut myself off from people until December?

40 replies

Biscuitbreaker · 07/08/2010 22:38

Well, obviously that's not a realistic option, but I am struggling to know what to do...
I'm 22 weeks pregnant and being told by my midwife I should have a swine flu and regular flu jab.

I work in a large school, and have an underlying health condition making me very 'at risk' to any swine flu/flu outbreaks that crop up in the Autumn. Even as I am typing this I am thinking "just have the bloody vaccine!"

BUT

I am not convinced by the safety of the vaccine(s) (especially swine flu, as it so new) on me but particularly on my unborn baby. I have been wrestling with this for weeks and reading about the effects on pregnant women and can't seem to find any answer.

I look at my scan pics and can't imagine doing anything that could harm him. If I have the vaccine, this swine flu pandemic may never re-appear or I may not get it, and I risk harming my baby, but then if I don't I am putting us both at risk.

Anybody offer any advice/experience? First AIBU thread, so please be kind.

Thank you

OP posts:

missmoopy · 07/08/2010 22:48

Is this your first pregnancy? It is normal to worry about these things when pregnant and it is a decision only you can make.

I do not trust the vaccine either and would not have had it during pregnancy.

I think you should give it some more thought and consider whether the risk from the vaccine is greater than the risk from swine flu. And the risk that swine flu poses due to your underlying health issue.

Although if you work in a school and didn't get it last year then maybe you have a good immunity?

SingItBack · 07/08/2010 22:53

I had the vaccine last year when pregnant with DS2. He was fine, as was I. Minimal risk really, but on balance yabu not to have it

ElenorRigby · 07/08/2010 23:00

My SIL had it while pregnant, both she and bubba were fine

Original poster

Biscuitbreaker · 07/08/2010 23:03

Really? Examples do re-assure me as I don't know anyone who has had while pregnant. Was this swine flu, 'regular' flu or both?

OP posts:

SingItBack · 07/08/2010 23:05

I had the swine flu vaccine last year, but not the normal flu vaccine.

LaundryLyne · 07/08/2010 23:08

YANBU to think carefully about it and weigh up all the information before deciding. If there is so much left-over vaccine I wonder why it's not being openly offered to women who are planning a pregnancy, so they can have it beforehand?

websticks · 07/08/2010 23:19

I am 21 weeks pregnant and my midwife has said they are no longer giving the swine flu vaccine in my area.

I, like you work in child care and have some concerns about if swine flu does reappear in the winter what would i do. Dont feel comfortable having the vaccine whilst pregnant tho.

So may have to hibernate for winter lol

bluejeans · 07/08/2010 23:21

It's a difficult decision but I thinbk I would have it.

A friend of mine was very worried about it last winter and after doing some research had the jag, she and baby were fine.

There was a MNer last year who contracted swine flu at close to full term and lost the baby

thefirstmrsDeVere · 07/08/2010 23:26

I worried about it when pg with DC5. But I was never offered it, nor was DC4 or my OH and we were/are all in vunerable groups.

They dont seem to be bothering much about it now.

Original poster

Biscuitbreaker · 07/08/2010 23:30

Mrs DeVere - No they don't seem to be, do they. Although, they might be in winter... I know I am vulnerable as well.

OP posts:

thefirstmrsDeVere · 07/08/2010 23:33

I dont know what to say really. I chicken out really because I sat around and waited for the invite that never arrived...

Its very hard to get balanced information IMO. The internet is full of scare stories and propaganda.

My midwive didnt tell me not to have it but she did say she wouldnt.

I am not anti vaccinations at all but I do like to know that they are necessary before I have them or allow my children to have them.

Original poster

Biscuitbreaker · 07/08/2010 23:36

Me too, this is why I just want to hibernate and seal myself off from people! That way I really don't have to choose...

Schools are terrible germ pits...

OP posts:

PotPourri · 07/08/2010 23:39

I got it (swine flu that is) while pregnant and developed pneumonia, and was really really ill. I had 2 xrays, a CT scan (they thought it was a pulmonary embolism originally), 4 lots of antibiotics. I developed asthma as a result was on steriods as well as the standard ventolin inhaler, although it is really mild now that the baby has been born. I think the fact that I had really strong lungs having just run a marathon saved me, I may well have died otherwise- I was really ill and was off work for many many months.

Having said all of this - my swine flu was not officially diagnosed and the consultant said I should have the vaccine. I didn't. the way I saw it, all the things that I had done and had above had all been done or had by other pregnant people many times before safely for the baby - the vaccine I did not know and neither did the doctor.

You need to make a decision and never look back. either decision (do or don't) is a tough one.

lisad123isgoingcrazy · 07/08/2010 23:42

My DH was offered this last year because of the chemo but he didnt take it. He felt the research wasnt clear enough. However, both my girls got swine flu last summer and both were ok within a week. Its been a while since i heard about swine flu TBH I looked at the normal flu deaths and those of swine flu and tbh more die from normal flu every year.

Original poster

Biscuitbreaker · 07/08/2010 23:48

Yeah, I have been told to have normal flu vaccine too (which I have had a few times in the past but not last year as I was poorly on the flu clinic day).

I can't decide. I was in hospital yesterday with a bit of a scare. I was on the labour ward crying and crying as I listened to everyone around me starting their labour to have their babies. Luckily we were fine and I am home, but it scared the crap out of me and it has really made me think about what to do.

OP posts:

Original poster

Biscuitbreaker · 07/08/2010 23:49

missmoopy it is my first pregnancy.

OP posts:

ElenorRigby · 07/08/2010 23:57

My SIL was only allowed to have the swine flu vaccine.
My memory's a bit hazy about this but I think they told her, she would not be able to have the seasonal flu jab in the first trimester. Don't know if she had the seasonal flu jab later on the pregnancy.

Totally relate to worrying during pregnancy, I scared myself witless numerous times!

Ilovemangoes · 08/08/2010 07:42

I am a GP and had the swine flu jab when I was about 22 weeks pregnant - I am fine and so is my 6 month old baby.

I had it because the risk of developing serious complications if a pregnant woman contracts swine flu is higher than if a "normal" person contracts it, and being a GP, I would be exposed to patients with flu-like illnesses, despite all the warnings and advice to patients to phone rather than come in to see the Dr.

The seasonal flu jab has been given to those patients in a high risk group who happen to be pregnant for some time now with no reported adverse effects (being pregnant in itself is not an indication for the seasonal flu jab, unlike the swine flu jab). The "ingredients" in the swine flu jab are the same as those in the seasonal flu jab, it is only the strain of the flu virus that is different.

As you are in a higher risk group I would advise you have the jab, but ultimately it is your decision, obviously.

HTH

strawberrycake · 08/08/2010 10:40

I had swine flu after wavering whilst pregnant. I'm a teacher and two children in my class had it and one of their parents was very ill in hospital with it, he's a big healthy bloke too. I decided the risk of not having it was too great, both to me and my child. My child is rather perfect by the way

Original poster

Biscuitbreaker · 08/08/2010 11:27

Glad to hear your babies are perfect strawberrycake and ilovemangoes!

Do either of you know which make you had?

Do you think there is any mileage in me waiting as long as possible to see if swine flu re-emerges and then at the first sign of it get to the GP quick-smart?

OP posts:

CheeseandGherkins · 08/08/2010 11:28

I wouldn't have it. I'm pregnant too.

passionberry · 08/08/2010 11:44

Another perfect baby over here!

Had the jab at about 20 weeks.

Ilovemangoes · 08/08/2010 11:45

I had Pandemrix. If you're really worried, I don't think it would BU of you to wait to see if swine flu becomes a major problem before speeding to the GP to have it ;)

Original poster

Biscuitbreaker · 08/08/2010 11:50

Thanks to everyone responding. It is helping... not least because my husband doesn't have to hear about it

OP posts:

Bathsheba · 08/08/2010 11:55

Just a quickie as I'm on my phone rather than my computer. I had swine flu while pregnant and I was very ill. Given my time I'd far rather have had the vaccine than the illness

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