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

Original poster

too late at 39 weeks for flu jab?

11 replies

ReshapeWhileDamp · 17/12/2010 04:19

I feel so stupid. Sad I knew the combined flu jab was being offered to pregnant women this time and I didn't go for it because (crappest excuse ever) I am needle-phobic. Blush

Now the flu and swine flu cases are starting to mount up in the UK and I'm terrified. I'm right at the end of pregnancy (39 wks on sunday), which I know is the worst time to contract it. I'm due on the 26th but it could be, potentially, two weeks after that before I give birth. If you don't get full immunity for two weeks after the vaccine, that's still a week to go, isn't it?

I am freaking out at the very idea of someone sticking something in my arm Blush but the idea of losing the baby at this stage is unbearable. And getting it while nursing a newborn isn't much fun either.

Someone give me a slap, tell me to book it tomorrow and hold my hand? Grin

OP posts:
Highlandgirl · 17/12/2010 09:34

Hi Reshape...not going to slap you Xmas Smile i hate needle etc etc too.

I'm 30 weeks and GP has 'advise' me to have the combined jab but i'm not keen either. It's a personal choice, but I think (for peace of mind) book an appointment at the GP's and have the jab.

In a few week/s you are about to before a Mummy Xmas Grin Xmas Grin a quick injection should be easy..!!

Make the appointment you'll feel much better once it's sorted.

VegasBride · 17/12/2010 11:15

Just had mine at nearly 38 weeks, you can get it anytime and it has been on the news
recently. combined vaccine is dead and a small dose.

sotough · 17/12/2010 12:07

hi, if i were you i'd get it. i just had mine at 36 weeks. wasn't going to do it as i tend to think the less vaccines the better, but got a bit freaked out by tales of people dying of swine flu, and also read with interest the thread on this board about the importance of getting it. flu is utter misery - pregnant or not - and i reckon it is worth you getting immunised even at 39 weeks. after all, how much worse are the early weeks with your new baby going to be, if you're really ill? believe me, a tiny pin prick is nothing compared to what you're going to go through with childbirth!

ANTagony · 17/12/2010 12:12

I had mine a couple of weeks ago, I'm now 34wks. Usually I bruise and I'm sore after injections but I have to say this one was tiny. I looked away and didn't even realise it had been done - I thought she'd just wiped over my arm and then she said all done!

No pain or after effects this time. I hope you can just go for it.

GlitteryBalls · 17/12/2010 12:25

Read this

Says ALL pg woman should get jab at ANY stage of pg. And you can't get more official than what D0H is telling Drs/MWs. Do it now!

ecuse · 17/12/2010 12:54

Interestingly my GP was really reluctant to give it to me, but I pushed based on that letter and the NHS website. They agreed in the end, after initially saying they didn't offer it to pregnant women, but were asking me in a confused way "why do you want it, you don't have asthma or anything?". Basically treating me like a hypochondriac!

stegasaurus · 17/12/2010 16:06

I just rang my GP surgery to make an appointment. They hadn't contacted me at all but I'm 20 weeks pregnant and my job is almost certain to expose me to flu. The receptionist booked me an appointment for Tuesday, then asked if I had had a letter. I said no but told her I'm pregnant and she sounded confused, put me on hold, came back and said she would have to check with the nurse if that is ok and will ring me back on Monday! So, it seems my GP surgery is also reluctant and doesn't know who is eligible for the jab.

CapsizeQueen · 17/12/2010 16:53

I rang my surgery and they don't know if they can give me it yet or not and would have to get back to me! They haven't yet set up a clinic for it so...

Original poster
ReshapeWhileDamp · 17/12/2010 18:10

Just had it done! Xmas GrinXmas Grin I feel SUCH a fool - it was so minimal, if I hadn't known I was having it, I would hardly have noticed. Arm is a bit sorer now than when she did it!

I rang up this morning to get an appointment, and though they tried to get me one on monday, I asked if I could be done today, so I wouldn't spend the weekend obsessing Blush. And they fitted me in! I asked afterwards what the take-up was with pregnant women - the nurse said I was only the second pregnant woman she'd done this season, and she's already done two big flu clinics. Shock She also said that seasonal flu and probably swine variant were already doing the rounds locally. I'd better stay out of the supermarkets for the next few days until my immunity is built up!

Thanks for all the support and handholding. Smile

OP posts:
GlitteryBalls · 18/12/2010 02:42

Take a copy of that letter on that link Stegasaurus.

lee69 · 20/12/2010 14:21

hello I have just booked my jab for tomorrow and Im 39+1 weeks, I now feel very worried I am doing the right thing Confused is this ok for the baby? Spoke with the Doc this morning while booking the appt, but she did not have much info for me Xmas Hmm

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