Flu jab in early pregnancy

[firstpregnancy]

Hi,

I am 7 weeks pregnant with my first child and have always had flu jabs (I have asthma, although it's fairly mild). I was just wondering if anybody knows how safe it is to have the jabs before 12 weeks. I can't find any stats on flu jabs & MC, so wondered if anybody could offer any advice please? I think if the benefits outweigh the risks I am inclined to have it (I have the appointment booked for 2 weeks today - will be 9 weeks then), but want to be certain that I am doing the right thing.

Thanks!

Hi, I'm 8.5 weeks and had the jab at 7.5 weeks last Saturday. The literature given to me before the jab said it was fine in pregnancy. Being a fool I didn't do any further research - I figured after a year or more of the swine flu jab being around, any bad effects would have shown up. Then when I got the leaflet after the jab it said not to be given in the first trimester except under strict medical advice. They knew I was only in the first trimester but nobody had warned me. I was pretty annoyed.

Now, I have no idea why it says that. Maybe it's because the risk of miscarriage is so much higher in the first trimester they don't want people blaming the jab - I'm hoping that's all it is.

Statistically from the research I then did, there's no real evidence that the jab does anything, although there's plenty of anecdotal stuff on various forums which I took with a pinch of salt.

Thanks for that Sparklies. I think I will keep the appointment for now as I figure I've got 2 weeks to change my mind. I'm hoping that if it was a complete no-no, then they would make it more public.

I asked my obstetritian today and was told that unless one use tube or works in crowded places aka airports/hospitals/schools, there is no need to do a flu shot...

I have two DDs, both of whom are in nursery, so usually whatever they bring home (which is everything going around!) we all end up getting!

I think I probably had swine flu last year, which they had first, but no way to know for sure. It was very mild for DH and me, but definitely real flu for the little ones.

I'd rather be safe than sorry given the stuff they've brought home - I caught measles from DD1 just before she got vaccinated when I was pregnant with DD2. Not a stress I wish to repeat, thankfully all was fine. Having said that I had the measles jab as a child as well as measles so it was a bit of a surprise!