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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

I'M SORRY

214 replies

xkatyx · 19/12/2010 15:34

this thread has proberly been done to death, i really do appologise.

I'm freaking out about the flu/swine flu jab.

I know it is only my choice but i feel alone with it and would like to just talk to anyone who is struggeling with the same choice.

OP posts:
1Catherine1 · 19/12/2010 20:29

thelizard, just go in and get it. Colds in pregnancy are horrible because they just don't go away they stay persistently mild for the duration. Although out of pregnancy they are just as bad you control them with drugs and only feel bad for a day or two. It sounds like you only have the left over of a cold anyway tbh rather than still being ill.

fannybaws · 19/12/2010 21:14

Hi OP am 32 weeks pregnant with DC5 and had the vaccination 2 weeks ago, I am a midwife and we had two maternal deaths last year so I would not like to run the risk.

ReshapeWhileDamp · 19/12/2010 23:49

TheLizard, they will ask before giving the vaccine if you're well. Normally, a cold isn't enough reason not to vaccinate but they may want to hold back a few days. I had mild sniffles Grin and had the vaccination on friday anyway.

I think we pregnant women should remember that there is plenty of documented evidence that flu and particularly swine flu can be massively dangerous to you when you're carrying a baby (and to the baby too, of course Sad), but that there don't seem to be any documented reasons why not to have it while pregnant.

BTW, had it on friday. Felt a tiny bit cold-y friday night and saturday. Today just felt wiped out (but am approaching my due date!) and my arm is a bit sore, nothing much.

SerenaJoy · 20/12/2010 09:59

I had the jab at approx 10 weeks, and had my 12 week scan a couple of weeks later. I had a sore arm for a few days afterwards but that was it, and everything fine with baby so far.

I was a bit concerned too, but I figured any risk from having the jab was tiny compared to the risk of not having it, and me being extremely ill with the flu. I had it years ago, and it's seriously unpleasant - I can't imagine having to cope with that whilst pregnant.

owlbooty · 20/12/2010 11:30

Just thought this might be useful for anyone who wanted more information - clearly my GP had not read it as I asked her about the jab and she had to go off and check!

Letter sent to surgeries from DOH

suedehead · 20/12/2010 11:40

hi xkatyx

i had the combined flu / swine flu jab about 3 weeks ago. i was invited for it when i was about 10 weeks, but was a bit nervous, so hung fire until i was about 17 weeks to have it.

i'd already had one pesky winter cold that just didn't seem to go (am normally a dose myself up and carry on kind of girl, so was a bit fed up on the paracetamol and honey and lemon!)

had the jab, and had a bit of a headache that day but nothing more. about a week later, i suddenly got what i'd describe as mild flu symptoms (fever, headache and achey limbs). they came really quickly and i came home from work straight to bed. this just turned into yet another winter cold.

i remembered the nurse saying i may still get flu, but it would be v mild, and that i definitely wouldn't get swine flu. all in all, i'm really grateful i just got one day of mild flu-ey-ness (sp?!) - i put this down to having the vaccination.

just get the jab - there are people dying from swine flu at the moment. you asked for reactions, so here's mine, but it honestly wasn't that bad. i know it's a big decision, but i trust the experts at the moment on this.

good luck - let us know what you decide x

Liloosmum · 20/12/2010 13:48

I had both the flu jab and the swine flu jab while pregnant last year. I had a bit of a sore arm after them, but no other problems. DD is fine. My Midwife and the Doctor who gave me the flu jab said that they couldn't tell me whether to have them or not, but they both said if it was them that they would have it!

I wouldn't hesitate to have them again.

SemperEadem · 20/12/2010 13:53

I've just had mine today!

I took my ds in for an appointment as he has a lingering cough and brought up the issue of swine flu jabs and before I knew it the Doctor had marched me round to the nurse insisting I need it doing for me ASAP (33 weeks pregnant) as there is so much flu around at the moment.

I am currently under the weather with a heavy cold but they still thought it was worth having it there and then. It was only a few hours ago but so far so good. I will update you if anything changes.

SaraL77 · 20/12/2010 13:57

I had the flu/swine flu jab with this pregnancy (now 34wks) no side effects at all- I'd definitely go for it- it also means your baby is covered for the first few months after they arrive- surely important if they're going to be born in winter. Risks from the flu itself far outweigh any potential risks from the jab (According to what I've read)

Adair · 20/12/2010 14:00

I'd not heard of it. Am 8 mths pregnant. Haven't heard anything about swine flu or that I am supposed to have the jab.

Am I living in a bubble? Confused

littleomar · 20/12/2010 14:10

i had it last year when i was about 8 months pregnant. felt rough the next day. baby is perfect.

there's no evidence (that i could find anyway) that the jab can harm you or the baby. there is, however, evidence that catching flu could harm both of you and at the very least give you a very miserable time of it.

ChessyEvans · 20/12/2010 14:11

I didn't get any contact from my GP but it's in all the papers saying it's advised for all over 65's and pregnant women. Am having mine on Christmas eve (after phoning GP and reminding them of my existence!) so am hoping there won't be too many side effects. Just thought it would be better safe than sorry as I'll be travelling around visiting people over the Xmas break.

Adair maybe you should ring your GP to check, but as far as I'm aware it's recommended for all pregnant women as we're higher risk.

MainlyMaynie · 20/12/2010 14:24

I've just decided to have it after reading about the risks. My instincts were not to, as I don't like the idea of having something unnecessary when I'm pregnant, but the risks of not having it just seem too high.

thelizard · 20/12/2010 14:32

Just had vaccination a couple of hours ago. Nothing much to report so far apart from a sore arm, glad I have done it now. Thanks for all advice.

Adair, I did not receive letter from surgery asking me in for it, I rang them after hearing on news. They said campaign has been going for ages and there were at the end of their supplies, but they found me one and wanted me in next day for it! Suggest you call your surgery? Xxx

Whitethorn · 20/12/2010 14:40

I had it a couple of months ago. Am asthmatic and pregnant so it was a must for me. Hated doing it but have been regularly scanned and so far so good. I tend to put my faith in medical profession although the word thalidomide jumps into my head every time i think of the jab so I understand how scared you are

PassionKissUnderTheMistletoe · 20/12/2010 14:41

I had it at 19 weeks last winter - DD is now 8 months and perfect Smile

Sassles · 20/12/2010 14:41

Hi All. My little one is now 7 months today. I had the swine flu jag last November (3/4 months pg). I too tossed and turned with the decision and read tons of literature on it. From what I remember the parts of the jag that people were worried about were in normal flu jags. The concern was that the jag was fired out without proper testing on pregnant ladies as there wasn't time in response to the swine flu (supposed) epidemic. As these elements were in normal flu jags that have been used for years and on pregnant women with just the element targeted to the specific strand of swine flu being new, the advice was that this was safe.

I was on a commuter train each day filled with school children and worked in a large office building with air conditioning pumped around and my worry of catching swine flu whilst pregnant won out over worries of the jag. There was no evidence to suggest that the jag would have any negative effect on your child and was endorssed by WHO and NHS, but there was evidence that catching swine flu when pregnant could harm you or the baby.

It is totally your own decision and no-one can make it for you. I really agonised over it last year, but once I had the jag I no longer cringed on the train everytime I heard a cough or a sneeze. The jag didn't hurt. My arm felt quite tender for the next day or so as if you had overused the muscle, but I had no signs of cold or flu. My wee baba is absolutely perfect and bright as a button.

Good luck with your decision and congratulations on your pregnancy!

EauRudolph · 20/12/2010 14:54

I had the jab last week but for some reason I didn't even think about getting DD done Hmm ah well, back to the surgery!

I had a sore arm for a couple of days but feel fine, I'm glad I had it done.

Mahraih · 20/12/2010 14:55

I had the jab at about 28 weeks - no side effects apart from it making my existing (mild) cold a little worse (and my GP warned me about this, we discussed it etc), but it was absolutely fine.

Just had an antenatal class and all the ladies there were having the same dilemma - the midwife said that they haven't seen problems with the flu jab. However, it only protects against swine flu and ONE strand of flu (the seasonal one), so sometimes women have the jab, get ANOTHER strand of flu, and blame the jab.

Basically, I chose to have it because I couldn't find any evidence I trusted (i.e. from a reputable source) that gave me cause to worry, and the benefits seemed clear. I haven't taken paracetamol or anything else during pregnancy, but made an exception for this.

silasmarner · 20/12/2010 15:04

I am 34 weeks pregnant and wondering whether it is worth getting it now as I know I'll be havig elective c section in 4 weeks.

I generally fairly relaxed about jabs (or not hugely anti) but midwife (naughtily) advised me against it which made me dither.

Does it take a few weeks to kick in?

KaraStarbuckThrace · 20/12/2010 15:10

I've been debating this as well, I am reassured by the fact so many of you have had it with out any problems.
I have my 16w appt with my MW tomorrow so will see what she thinks, also will ask just how prevalent it is in our area. We weren't affected by swine flu too much this year.

Only thing is I have a nasty cough at the moment, is it better to wait until this is gone before having it?

KaraStarbuckThrace · 20/12/2010 15:12

Silas - thing to consider is, do you really want to risk ending up with the flu when you have just had the baby and are recovering from a c-section?

SemperEadem · 20/12/2010 15:24

Is anybody's GP'S offering it to under 5's? Mine say they aren't doing so anymore and I would really like ds done.

He missed out on it last year due to one gp surgery refusing to give it to him until all the over 65s were done, then we moved and the pandemic was over and my new surgery said wait till winter time and now they won't give it to him!

EauRudolph · 20/12/2010 15:31

Semper, I just tried to book DD in and was told that they only do 'at risk' under 5s and as she doesn't have asthma or anything like that then they won't give her the jab. Hopefully as I'm still BF her that will help a bit if she does get flu.

Pacita · 20/12/2010 15:35

Silas, like yours, my midwife was quite dismissive of the jab, so I did not get it. However, after reading this thread I've just been on the phone to the surgery and booked in to get the combined flu jab after my next MW appointment this Wednesday.

The thought of getting the flu (let alone swine flu, which I've seen DP suffer from first hand and is horrendous) while pregnant, AND having to look after my 2 yo DS is too scary. Plus I agree that you need all your strength to breast feed, which I should be doing fairly soon, as I'm 36 weeks pg!

Thanks xKaty for posting this thread. You've forced me to get a move on!