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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Warning!! Flu Jab...

49 replies

argylesocks · 13/12/2010 16:38

I don't mean to freak anyone out and certainly not telling you what to do if you're debating getting a flu jab but I just thought I'd share what I just went through...

I was never offered the jab at my appointment (I'm 17 weeks) so I didnt ask and didnt get one.

Umm, I really wish I had now. I just got back from spending 4 days in hospital isolation with a really, really bad flu and it was the most miserable 4 days of my life (so far :)).

The doctors kept saying how serious it was for pregnant women and I was monitored pretty much round the clock by specialists who seemed unnervingly concerned. Not only was I feeling horrible like you would with the flu anyway, I couldnt breathe, they made me wear a mask, i was kept awake for 36 hours with tests. They made me have a chest xray.

Since my immune system was so low they kept me completely isolated in case i picked up anything else. My poor dp could only visit me for 2 hours a day and had to wear gloves and a mask.

I wouldnt even take a paracetamol before this since i got pregnant so having IV drips of antibiotics, anti-blood clotting meds, and all kinds of stuff was really really scary.

Thankfully, they've been monitoring the baby and everything seems OK but it was absolutely miserable and I so, so wish I was just offered the damn jab and didn't have to go through that.

They're not kidding when they say the flu is serious for pregnant women. I think it's more of a risk for the mother than the baby but I can tell you that it's no fun.

I know it could have been a whole lot worse, and the important thing is the baby is fine, but if all this could have been avoided with a vaccine... i'm going to remember that next time!

OP posts:

goodlifemummy · 13/12/2010 17:21

Good grief - that sounds awful. Very glad you are on the mend. Were they talking about a regular flu jab, or swine flu jab? I haven't been offered a flu jab, but was offered swine flu at the beginning of my pregnancy, but I didn't take it. Interesting to hear your story and glad you had a good outcome.

lucybrad · 13/12/2010 17:26

the jabs have been combined. It says on BBC news today in northern ireland that they are calling for pregnant women to be vaccinated after some have fallen very ill recently.here

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 13/12/2010 17:50

The seasonal 'flu jab contains the Swine flu vaccine. I had the swine flu vaccine at 14 weeks and reading this, I'm glad I did.

I'm glad you're feeling better now - it must've been awful for you.

StrangewaysHereICome · 13/12/2010 18:01

Goodness how frightening for you, I am so glad you are okay. I had my jab two weeks ago (swine and seasonal combined). I wasn't offered it but asked for it myself and I am glad I did.

tlise · 13/12/2010 18:08

They wrote to me and offered me it as they said they were to all pregnant women. I figured it must be important if they were willing to fund it. Glad I did. Also made me realise ds hasn't been offered one so booked him in as he has asthma.

Glad you are feeling better!! what an awful time for you xx

Original poster

argylesocks · 13/12/2010 18:16

they did a swine flu test on me but the results take days to come back so I don't know yet if it is but they've had me on tamiflu anyway since Saturday. The specialist said he really didn't think it was swine flu but they wanted me on it anyway just in case.

OP posts:

Applemuncher · 13/12/2010 18:41

I'm 26 weeks and haven't been offered it - is this a standard thing? How come some people are offered and other aren't?

jasmine51 · 13/12/2010 18:49

argule Had my flu jab today after reading your story. I wasnt offered it either but just phoned the surgery, said I was pg and they offered to do it straight away. Thanks for reminding me
x

Sufi · 13/12/2010 18:55

I had the combined jab at around 20wks. Swine flu is especially severe in pregnant women, so my surgery told me, due to the restricted lung capacity you have during the final trimester/risk of pneumonia-type complications. As my final trimester is during peak flu season (ie now), I decided to have it. Really glad I did now! Hope you recover well and speedily, and thanks for posting.

sarahscot · 13/12/2010 18:58

Wow, what a story, so glad you and baby are okay.

I wasn't offered the jag but there was a leaflet in my pack advising pg women to get it so I phoned the surgery and got it.

lucybrad · 13/12/2010 19:22

i had to ask for it, i asked when my children were called for theirs.

whomovedmychocolate · 13/12/2010 19:24

I'm glad you are well, however five of ten of the people who died from swine flu last week had been vaccinated.

NorthernLurker · 13/12/2010 19:39

And 5 hadn't. At risk groups are more likely to be vaccinated. They are also the most likely groups to have fatalities because they are at risk!
The case for vaccination in pregnant women has been well made and I personally think it's reckless to refuse it if you're offered it.

whomovedmychocolate · 13/12/2010 20:11

Very true NorthernLurker however I don't think the vax is a guarantee (though sensible if you are temporarily in the high risk groups). :)

NorthernLurker · 13/12/2010 20:19

Absolutely it doesn't remove the risk - but it does reduce it and it gives a woman the knowledge that she has tried to act. If anything goes wrong - in any way and you've refused the thing that might have helped - well I suspect that is really hard to live with.

tlise · 15/12/2010 09:50

None of them are guaranteed to work 100% no matter what you have, there will always be some who succumb anyway, but at least its a chance.

EauRudolph · 15/12/2010 10:01

I am reconsidering getting mine now, I thought about not bothering because my immune system is practically bullet proof and I don't come into contact with that many people anyway but as has been pointed out, I may as well get it done just in case.

For those that had it done, were there any side effects? I already feel like crap (general pregnancy aches and pains) and I'd like advance warning if it's going to get worse

mousymouse · 15/12/2010 10:04

not pregnant but had the flu jab a couple of months ago and had no side effects whatsoever. (normal seasonal flu jab with swine flu included)

AllBellyandBoobs · 15/12/2010 10:06

I had mine done about 5 weeks ago now. Had no side effects at all, just a red lump where it had been administered which lasted a couple of days. Have since had a cold which has been awful to contend with simply because I haven't been able to take anything and it's really taking ages to clear from my chest. I dread to think how the flu would leave me feeling! I would have also described my immune system as fairly bullet proof, but pregnancy has definitely changed that

nocake · 15/12/2010 10:13

Can I add that if others in your house get the vaccine as well it reduces the risk of you getting flu. I had it this year for the first time for that reason.

ledkrsbellyislikesantas · 15/12/2010 10:14

havent been offered it and i am 33 wks.I have a bad cold/chest at the mo but seem to be ok so far.seeing dr on Friday.

itsTwiiiiitmaaaaasss · 15/12/2010 10:16

hmm, I'm about 10 weeks, should I be looking at getting the jab as well, or is it more for those further along?

What an awful time you had, I'm glad all is well now and thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Mumbybumby · 15/12/2010 10:34

Sorry you had such a rough time. I hope you feel better now and thanks for posting your story - I am 31 weeks pregnant and hadn't been offered the jab but have had it his morning because of your post.

ledkrsbellyislikesantas · 15/12/2010 10:43

sorry to hijack but i am worried now,should i be seeing someone?I have cold and cough and very sore chest and throat,drs app Friday for ante natal-i have no fever tho.

camdancer · 15/12/2010 11:32

I've just got back from the doctors. I've got flu. Had it for 12 days. Because I waited so long there is nothing they can do even though I'm not keeping any food or drink down and feel like crap. The antivirals only work if started within 48 hours.

The moral of the story. Go to the doctor quickly rather than waiting.

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