Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask wether you had the flu jab in pregnancy

115 replies

Ilovechocolatetoomuch · 16/10/2017 17:34

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?

OP posts:
SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 16/10/2017 17:44

I did. Why wouldn't you?

crazypenguinlady · 16/10/2017 17:46

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

Getsorted21 · 16/10/2017 17:46

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 · 16/10/2017 17:46

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

Crispyturtle · 16/10/2017 17:47

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 · 16/10/2017 17:48

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

Joeywhitter · 16/10/2017 17:48

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 · 16/10/2017 17:49

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 · 16/10/2017 17:50

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 · 16/10/2017 17:51

I had it would rather that than have the flu

Wolfiefan · 16/10/2017 17:51

Yes. Both pregnancies.

Witsender · 16/10/2017 17:51

I haven't in this one.

ChocolateButton15 · 16/10/2017 17:51

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 · 16/10/2017 17:52

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

LadyLouJo · 16/10/2017 17:52

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 · 16/10/2017 17:57

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 · 16/10/2017 17:58

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 · 16/10/2017 17:58

Yes I had it.

Sammysquiz · 16/10/2017 18:00

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 · 16/10/2017 18:01

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 · 16/10/2017 18:08

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 · 16/10/2017 18:15

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 · 16/10/2017 18:16

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

BeeFarseer · 16/10/2017 18:18

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 · 16/10/2017 18:20

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