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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Have you had your flu jab?...

19 replies

clarebear1 · 12/12/2010 22:09

Ive been offered it but not sure whether to have it or not.

Anyone have any opinions on this to help me?

OP posts:

fayc84 · 12/12/2010 22:16

I had mine a couple of weeks ago. No side effects other than slight tenderness like the feeling of a bruise for three days (though no visible bruise) where the needle went in. I had a bad cold early in my pg and managed not to take anyting but I felt so awful - there's no way I could cope with full-blown flu.

Why are you not sure whether to have it?

Mumbybumby · 12/12/2010 22:20

I've not been offered one - should I have been? I'm 30 weeks and at he moment have a terrible cough/cold/sore throat thingy and that's bad enough!
My doc's are crap with pregnancy stuff and midwife appointments - I have an appointment for 32 weeks and haven't seen midwife since 24 weeks as they 'can't fit me in' so not surprised about the flu jab.

Original poster

clarebear1 · 12/12/2010 22:23

Im sure from this year they are being offered to pregnant women.

Im trying to google to find out about it, i always thought it gave you flu to fight it but now googling it think im wrong. Think it gives you flu like symptoms, i dont know.

OP posts:

JeelyPiece · 12/12/2010 22:43

Hi clarebear1 there have been a few threads about the flu jab this year but this is the longest one!

It has lots of links on it to articles you can read to get background info.

Short answer - personally would advise you to get it! I did at 17 weeks, had no ill effects at all, now 26 weeks and am relieved to have reduced my risk significantly. Flu can have serious complications in pg women.

stegasaurus · 13/12/2010 09:06

I've not been offered one. I've been expecting to be contacted about it for months but not heard anything. I completely forgot to ask at last midwife appointment but hopefully will remember to ask at the hospital on Friday. Last year at work they were almost forcing flu jabs on us but even there it has hardly been mentioned. If I am offered it, I will have it. I am not generally scared of flu, I work in a high-risk job but don't remember ever having flu, but wouldn't want to put my baby at risk if I do get it this year. I had the swine flu jab at work last year and the only side effect was a sore arm for a day or so. Some people did get mild flu-like symptons but it was nothing like as bad as actually having the flu.

PacificDogwood · 13/12/2010 09:09

I had it last year + swine flu vacc.

The risk of becoming seriously ill (as in 'lifethreateningly ill' not just 'I feel so bad I want to die-ill') with influeza during pregnancy is a small one, but much much higher that any potential risk of a vaccine that has been given to American pregnant woman for many years. IMO a total non-brainer.

FindingAManger · 13/12/2010 12:13

Yes I had it a few weeks ago (at 17 weeks). I was unsure but I got a very mild cold which caused me to have mega breathing issues, so the though of getting properly sick with flu (which I tend to get every year) whilst pregnant wasn't appealing.

It is now being tested as I think DP has the flu (could be a bad cold but it's hard to tell as it's rendered him largely speechless & a moaning mess) - and I really really really don't want it.

The jab didn't hurt & I've not experienced any (known) side effects.

If you've not been offered it you are still entitled if you want it.

Bicnod · 13/12/2010 12:19

I had it at around 6 weeks when I told GP I was pg. He just offered it to me there and then. It includes the swine flu jab. He said his pg wife had had it and that was good enough for me. I travel 2 hours a day across London on public transport so in close proximity to lots of coughing/sneezing people all through winter so thought it was best to get jabbed.

yellowflowers · 13/12/2010 12:21

I had it and so pleased I have - have had a cough and cold for past few weeks and that has been bad enough - to have proper flu would be awful, and baby not even here yet. Can't imagine having to look after newborn while being ill with flu.

GretnaGirl · 13/12/2010 12:45

I had it a fortnight ago when I was 20 weeks, no side effects except tiredness a couple of days later but that could just have been me having a bad couple of days! My in-laws are now both bedridden with flu and I'm SO glad I had the jab as I see them often.

Lulabel27 · 13/12/2010 13:50

Another one here adding to the messages - I had it around 26 weeks and felt no side effects and (touch wood) not had so much as a blocked nose since - not sure if that's related or not!

I had reservations but was practically forced into it by GP so didn't have a choice - glad I did though.

As far as I know even if it hasn't been offered you should be able to call your GP and ask for it as pregnant women are in the "vulnerable" category like OAPs so are entitled to it....

cameli · 13/12/2010 14:41

I had it last week so would have been 15+4. No side effects really except my arm was a little swollen & red until Saturday but I have lots of underlying health problems. Am glad I had it.

bessie26 · 13/12/2010 15:19

I had the seasonal flu jab at 13wks & was fine other than a slightly sore arm which meant I couldn't possibly do the washing up They offered me the original swine flu jab at the same time, but I decided against having 2 jabs on the same day & to have it another time. Promptly forgot about it until today & have just booked myself in for one next monday.

I had flu last winter for the first time & was shocked at how awful it was (I am generally v.healthy) - there is no way I would want to be bedridden with a temp for a week while pg.

We generally go with what the Drs recommend, as we reckon that they know more about it than us & probably have a more balanced opinion than what you'd find on google. We also thought about how we would feel in the worst possible situations - which would be worst, to know that we caused harm to our unborn baby by trying to protect it, or because we had chosen to do nothing to try to protect it.

StrangewaysHereICome · 13/12/2010 17:53

I had mine two weeks ago at 27 weeks. I wasn't offered it so I made the appointment myself. I wanted the jab weeks ago but that was the first available appointment for it. I am so glad to have had it, I have had proper flu twice in my life and it made me feel so awful I couldn't face that while being pg. IMHO the risk of a problem with the jab is far outweighed by the likelihood of flu and the additional risks in pregnancy.

I also heard on the radio the other day that there is swine flu about, so I am glad I feel protected.

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 13/12/2010 17:54

There's another thread - here which might give you another perspective.

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 13/12/2010 17:56

I had mine at 14 weeks (had to initiate it) and I had a sore arm for 3 or 4 days, but so glad I had it. In fact, we've all somehow been vaccinated against swine 'flu and DH has had seasonal 'flu jab (which contains swine flu element) through work.

StrangewaysHereICome · 13/12/2010 17:56

Forgot to add that there were no side effects apart from a slightly sore arm (not as sore as after my Anti-D!)

tlise · 13/12/2010 18:10

All pregnant women should be offered it. It doesn't give you flu, some swear it does give them flu but it doesn't. It does build up antibodies, so you may feel a little achy after a couple days, but I didn't feel anything. Just avoid places with viruses for a few days as you will be more susceptable :)

cherrycobbler · 13/12/2010 19:21

Same story as everyone else but fwiw, I had it at 13 weeks and had no side effects apart from a sore arm.

Like you, I had reservations but the midwife and consultant told me it was a no brainer so I went ahead. Having had proper flu once many years ago, I can't imagine being that ill and being pregnant - it was really horrible. Read an article in the news today about swine flu coming back and pregnant women being most at risk. The new flu jab combines swine flu and normal flu, and I'm very glad now I've had the jab.

I should say that I didn't read the loooong threads on it, or all the articles etc - in the end I just went on what the NHS told me, and my gut instinct.

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