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Pregnancy

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

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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:

wigglesrock · 20/12/2010 19:49

32 weeks, had combined vaccine last week, my sister was rushed to A&E on Friday evening, couldn't control her temp, on paracetamol drip all night. Diagnosed with flu, on antibiotics, she can barely move, had to move home with my mum for a few days(tbh this is her worst nightmare ) She looks worse than death, so glad I had the jab now. She is healthy, 34, no kids, there's no way I could cope with being that ill, with 2 under six and pregnant

naturalbaby · 20/12/2010 19:59

i've not been told anything about the jab by gp or midwives and now have really bad cold/mild flu. my boys had the jab last year when gp sent out a letter so am going to get checked up at gp tomorrow and ask about having it.

pickleplusone · 20/12/2010 20:05

I had the jab last year at about 15 weeks. DD2 was born in June and is just perfect.

Like others, I finally based my decision on already having another DD and I didn't want to run the risk of depriving her of a mum.

I had a blooming sore arm for a few days afterwards but no other side effects for either me or DD2.

brillopads · 20/12/2010 20:15

I was at a party on Friday night and a guy there was insistent that I get the swine flu jab! Just moved house last week, so sorting out a new GPs is on the seemingly-endless list of "things that need updating with new address details"

itwascertainlyasurprise · 20/12/2010 20:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

funtimefairyintinselledwincies · 20/12/2010 20:23

Another adding experience of having the jab last year at 36/37 weeks pg. No side effects and ds2 (just turned 1) is fine.

The girlfriend of a colleague of dh's unfortunately died of swine flu , although her baby, delivered by emergency cs, survived.

If it's offered to my 2 ds' I'll take up the offer.

bedhed · 20/12/2010 20:39

This is such a hard decision. I had it last year at 37 weeks after a lot of anguish. In the end I researched the literature and decided that it was weighing up a small but real risk of serious complications from swine flu compared to a small but unknown risk of damage to the fetus from a new vaccine - which was using tried and tested ingredients and techniques. I realised that it is more difficult to do something that you feel may not be good for you baby i.e. actively go out and have a jab rather than 'catch' a disease IYSWIM.

The thing that decided it for me was reading a case series in the medical literature of the first pregnant women in the US to get swine flu that were hospitalised. it seems that it really does have adverse effects on pregnant women that other flu strains do not.

Baby is a healthy happy girl, just had her first birthday. If i got pregnant tomorrow I would not hesitate in having the vaccine again.

myhandslooksoold · 20/12/2010 20:59

I had it last year when pregnant, now have a perfectly healthy 6 month old. My two DC's also had it and we were well all winter apart from the usual colds. I can't even remember if there were any side effects, so if I did they were mild enough that I've forgotten about them.
I'd have it done again. HTH.

dippywhentired · 20/12/2010 21:03

Also, just wanted to add that a friend of mine was also pregnant last year when I had the jab, and she had it as well. She and her husband are both doctors, so I found it reassuring that they were taking their own advice!

LittleJingleBellsMum · 20/12/2010 21:04

Like most on here, I had it earlier this year when pregnant with DC3, DC2 had it at the same time. All three of us are fine ( but my arm did really hurt afterwards - I complained more than the 4 year old!)

Haven't noticed it protecting the baby from colds though and she has already had pneumonia but would certainly make the same choice again. Lady in my sisters village didn't have it when pregnant and lost the baby - that helped me make my mind up

cupcakebakerer · 20/12/2010 21:10

Do it. Don't over think it. I had it at 13 weeks and all is fine. I read a story in The Sun that really made me glad I did - pregnant woman in hospital, don't know if they will be able to save baby etc.

beaner07 · 20/12/2010 21:24

Another one here that had it last year when 22 weeks pg with DS3, he was born in March, is absolutely perfect and has been my best baby yet ;).

Only side effect for me was a really, really sore arm for a few days. DS1 also had it last year as he has asthma, he didn't have any side effects either (not even the sore arm).

One of the things that made my mind up was reading somewhere that the baby would get some protection from it via me, not sure if that is true or not.

bluebeach · 20/12/2010 21:25

Really understand your dilemma as I was really unsure about the jab and felt incredibly torn about whether to have it. I decided to go ahead with it but even for a day or so afterwards I felt as though I had made a terrible mistake. However now, after hearing of people getting really sick with it again this year I am pleased I had it.

At 29 weeks now, I feel reassured that I've had it and it's made me so much less paranoid of being in public places!

Don't feel pressured into making a decision you're not happy about making but have a real weigh up of pros and cons.

vez123 · 20/12/2010 21:49

I had it last year at 17 weeks pregnant. I was struggling with the decision to have it as the vaccine was so new but at the same time there were soo many cases of swine flu and a lot of scaremongering in the media. Was glad I had it in the end and DS (nearly 7 months now) is absolutely fine. Like many others I had a sore arm for a few days.

This year I would not hesitate to have it if I was pregnant.

oska · 20/12/2010 21:56

If you are pregnant and worried about mercury, might be an idea to check which jab you are having - see this article... albeit from last year

www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/5269468/the-flu-jab-choice-the-department-of-health-might-not-tell-you-about.thtml

FunnysInTheGarden · 20/12/2010 22:13

had the jab last year at about 30 weeks and all was fine with me and DS who is now a massive 10 month old! Don't worry, all will be fine. Best be safe than worrying about swine flu on top of everything else

TerrysNo2 · 20/12/2010 22:31

Has anyone had it before 12 weeks? I was going to get it today but the doc said maybe to wait until after 12 weeks (am currently only 5). But we are in the middle of flu season. What should I do??

JetLi · 20/12/2010 22:54

I had mine - I was about 18 weeks I think.
In my last pregnancy I was hospitalised for regular flu when it sent my asthma downhill. I wasn't taking any risks this time. I had the swine flu jab before TTC baby #2 & then had combined vaccine a few weeks ago.

Prinpo · 20/12/2010 23:02

Terry, I'm in the same position as you. Went for jab today, having been convinced of the merits, only for the nurse to say that they weren't immunising in the first trimester (I'm 10 weeks). This seems to go against the DH advice, which is to immunise all pregnant women, irrespective of stage.

I know that I'll be told that it's up to me but it's hard to make a decision when the DH says one thing and the GP says another.

Eagerly awaiting tomorrow's webchat...

Prinpo · 20/12/2010 23:02

DH being Department of Health, not the normal DH .

beijingaling · 21/12/2010 00:36

I'm 37 weeks and had mine as soon as it was offered in the private clinics out here. Think I was about 24ish weeks. No problems other than a painful injection site for a couple of days.

I understand it also gives imunisation to the baby for the first 6 months of it's life so to me it really was a no brainer especially after I had a bad summer cold in earlier pregnancy and I felt wretched on that. Couldn't imagine being preg with full on flu.

mjinsparklystockings · 21/12/2010 00:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

snowcake · 21/12/2010 07:43

Thanks for bringing up this thread xkaty.

Very interesting to read all of the experiences. Most of you seem to have had it later on in your pregnancies. I am currently about 6 weeks. Should I wait? I am abroad in a warm climate (UAE) but getting lots of Brits coming for visits/returning home after hols and my eldest is in nursery. My other baby is just 4 month old now.

KaraStarbuckThrace · 21/12/2010 07:54

Msupa - mercury is a toxic substance as defined under COSHH. So to imply that it is not harmful is a little bit misleading. I presume you are talking about mercury with respect to the quantities it is used as a preservative?
It is classified as toxic and as a class 3B carcinogen. The main danger with mercury is bioaccumulation which can lead to long term affects.
This is why pregnant women are advised to limit their intake of certain types of fish because they may contain trace amounts of mercury.

Mercury safety data card

There is probably only miniscule amounts of mercury in the vaccine, however given the choice between one containing mercury and one that doesn't I know which one I would choose - and it is not as though the DoH don't have any stocks of the latter.

SickOnMyShoulder · 21/12/2010 09:45

I had it last year when pregnant, I am healthy, so is DD. Will get it again for all the family this year.

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