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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Flu jab - What would you do?

34 replies

1Catherine1 · 09/10/2010 11:27

I booked to have my flu jab a week ago for today with the intention of doing plenty of research and thinking about whether I should get it or not. Unfortunately I completely forgot until about 15 minutes ago and my appointment is in less than an hour so I must decide quick.

I am a teacher and catch every bug that's going around every time. I have had swine flu, I got it last year and was bed bound for a week on all the medicines I could possible take. I know this flu jab is for more than just swine flu but I'm still concerned for my baby.

Are the possible side effects of the jab worse than the side effects of any flu I could get? I don't know and hate making uninformed decisions.

OP posts:

SaraL77 · 15/10/2010 10:41

I had the swine flu jab whilst pregnant with DS1, my question is do I need the normal flu jab now? I'm pregnant again with DC2, midwife gave me the flu jab leaflet but I didn't think about this till someone mentioned it in this thread.

I was thinking about getting the jab as a friend of mine had flu whilst in labour and it was awful for her and her baby...

me23 · 15/10/2010 12:58

On the nhs website it says this flu jab is only being offered to pregnant women who haven't had the swine flu jab here www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu-jab/Pages/Whyitshouldbedone.aspx

I'm 17 weeks and nobody has offered me the jab? even though I know I don't need it as has the swine flu jab last year DR OR MW don't know that though as it's not on my medical records (done through work) so guess it's a bit hit and miss depending where you are.

SaintAva · 15/10/2010 13:12

Hi,

I'm currently just coming up to 6 weeks pregnant and my doctors have written to me and booked me in for flu jab next Tuesday.

I had the swine flu jab last year when I was 8 months pregnant and having just looked at the NHS Choices (thanks me23 for the link) it says that they are offering the swine flu jab to pregnant women not in the high risk groups who have NOT previously been vaccinated against H1N1 (swine) flu.

Therefore, do you think that I need the jab. I am quite happy to have it, but not if I don't really need it, IYSWIM?

mejon · 15/10/2010 13:20

I'm having mine next week SaintAva. I normally have the seasonal flu jab as I have asthma and I had the swine flu one in December. I checked with the GP yesterday whether it was ok for me to have the combined one next week and they said yes. I didn't have any reaction last time so I'm hoping it'll be the same one. I'm just entering the 3rd trimester and according to the information sent by the GP the last 3 months are the most dangerous in terms of contracting swine flu and as DD has just started school where there's all sorts going around I want to try and minimise the chances of getting flu as much as I can.

oggybags · 16/10/2010 20:14

I cannot get ANY guidance, I asked the mW who said to defo have swine flu jab but need to check with gp for reg flu jab - so tried to book at desk, to be told they dont do swine flue jabs theyre conbined - SO - asked if I should have it and they couldnt say, & no drs were aviablable to check with
At hosp next day (BIG mat wing of hosp)they didnt know, she went to ask the MW bank - who said I need to ask GP as they cant advise on medica things only baby things
TBH i only want a simple yes no or its up to you... I'm non wiser yet, will try and get telephone appt with GP... wish me luck!
will be watching this with interest!

luckykitty · 16/10/2010 20:16

I had it this morning, Im have asthma and had the flu jab last year with no side effects so my midwife said it would be a good idea, especially given that I work in very close proximity to the public and everyone at work always gets every illness going!

EauRouge · 16/10/2010 20:26

I'm 22 weeks and I still can't decide . My MW is otherwise very good but she's been useless about the flu jab with no advice at all other than a reluctant-sounding "well... it's up to you".

My immune system was bullet-proof when I was expecting DD and I'm a SAHM so I don't come into contact with a lot of people. But I'm (probably unreasonably) worried about getting ill and something happening to DC2. DH thinks there's no point bothering with the jab. He works from home 4 days a week so doesn't come into contact with that many people either.

KirstyJC · 16/10/2010 20:42

I'm not sure about this jab, either. I work in a hospital so we are always offered the normal flu jab, and last year also the swine flu jab. I declined both last year as I don't suffer too much with cold/flu anyway...and then a few months later got flu! Not sure if it was swine flu or not, but actually I wasn't that ill and seeing as a colleague was more ill as a result of the jab itself I feel I made the right decision.

However, I am now 17 weeks pregnant and am not so sure this time around. My instinct is to not have it but I can't decide. I don't have another MW appointment until mid-Dec so might have to phone them for advice if the jab offers come before that (which I think they will) but she is reasonably newly-qualified, so she still does things very much 'by the book' so I can guess what her answer will be.

nannyl · 27/10/2010 20:42

wahoo...

dr has re-read my medical notes... realised that I -do- did have asthma 10 years ago, and let me have the flu jab

i have had it today and plan to start TTC in 6 weeks time, so hopefully it will be out of my system (but the immunity IN my system) by then

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