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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Are you having FLU jab?

19 replies

AnytimeNOW · 14/01/2011 10:53

Just wondering what to do regarding flu jab.

I'm 11 weeks pregnant after 3 losses in the last 9 months...my consultant says he's not keen on me having it because of my m/c's.

GP recommends I don't have it either?? because I am otherwise in good health.

So totally confused, and worried as there has been some really tragic losses in the news this week.

What is everybody else doing? any advice greatly appreciated .

OP posts:

mynameis · 14/01/2011 10:59

Hi I am currently 18 weeks and like you have had 3 losses prior to this pregnancy.

I had the jab at 14 weeks on my consultants advice, he never mentioned any link at all to miscarriage.

I work in a maternity ward and have seen a massive increase in the amount of woman coming in with suspected swine flu, so I don't regret having the jab at all.

littlemissw · 14/01/2011 11:00

I think it is very much personal choice & down to individual circumstances. After weighing everything up I went ahead and had mine at 7 weeks.

Newmummytobe79 · 14/01/2011 11:06

My GP pretty much sprung it on me when I went to see her to confirm my pregnancy. She told me there were no side effects and that it was highly recommended - I was in a bit of shock so just let her do it. I was around 5.5 weeks when I had mine done.

I really don't know if there are side effects or not?

PrincessScrumpy · 14/01/2011 11:08

I tried to have the jab but they've run out and am now just recovering from flu. Only got bfp yesterday but on sunday I was very worried my temp would cause mc. Am now just tired but wish I'd had the jab.

lollyheart · 14/01/2011 11:10

I've also had it done.

I had it done at 4 weeks, I called to ask what the doctor advised and had the jab an hour later.

JBrd · 14/01/2011 11:59

I'm having it done tomorrow, had to wait a bit because they had run out of the vaccine. My midwife very strongly recommended having it, and so did my GP. I'm just 23+4.

Janus · 14/01/2011 12:10

I have one child (7) home with suspected swine flu, half the school are off, I'm not joking. She has been a complete mess this week, been sleeping in with me all week.

I had my jab before Christmas and so glad I did, I don't know how I'd cope with it, looking at how ill my daughter has been.
As far as I know, there are no associated risks of miscarriage and I have had a miscarriage in the past and was completely fine this time (was about 21 weeks when had it done).
I just wish they would offer it back to under 5's as I have one at home who is, obviously, being exposed every day and likely to get it from her sister which terrifies me.

ChessyEvans · 14/01/2011 12:34

Same as Janus, I had mine done at about 20 weeks just before Xmas as I knew I would be travelling around and seeing relatives etc. I don't think there have been links to miscarriage as it's not a live virus (I'm in no way medically qualified!) so from what I've heard it's strongly recommended for all pregnant women. Confusing for you to be getting different advice though

Re side effects I had a bit of a bump and a sore arm but no side effects in relation to feeling fluey or anything.

Perhaps the GP and midwife are covering themselves so that if you did have another mc you wouldn't automatically assume it was down to the jab? But you're v nearly at the "safe" stage now anyway in terms of statistics? Maybe ring back and ask them why they aren't recommending it as their advice does appear to be against the majority

sloathy · 14/01/2011 12:58

My GP and midwife were also reluctant to recommend it - mainly because they honestly could not tell me 100% that it was safe because there is no research done on pregnant women for obvious reasons. They can say, however, there are no indications that there are any adverse effects etc and you will find a lot of anecdotal evidence from mothers who have had it who have had no problems with it.

So at the end of the day it's a personal choice for each woman to take I think. I chose not to have it because I m/c the baby before this one (am currently 25 weeks), reacted to vaccines badly when a baby myself and have family members that have had very bad reactions to the flu jab in the past. So all in all I decided not to - but as I say, it's a personal choice.

meg89 · 14/01/2011 13:17

i wasnt going to have mine,as thought im in good health otherwise and hadnt heard of much of it going around where i live. Plus im at home with my ds most of the time so not at much risk of catching it through mixing with lots of other people. And was slightly concerned at the fact it obviously hasnt and cant be tested on pregnant women and swine flu and the jab are relatively new..so you wonder whether they would no of any adverse effects yet. However at my last doctors appointment,i had a throat infection, the gp highly recommended that i have it once i was better,and that it was safe, and there havnt been any reported side effects. It is a difficult one to way up,but i now no its going round in my area and people have been really unwell. So had it done yesterday,didnt think it was worth the risk. Also wish they were offering to under 5s,im so worried about my 3 yr old,if one of them gets it at playgroup then thats it they will all have it..

Darlingdamsel · 14/01/2011 13:29

Hmmm ...

No side effects?

I had mine on Tuesday evening and was so darn ill on Wednesday that I literally could not move the WHOLE day (and I had a deadline on Thursday).

I don't regret having it - but they should have said something (and it looks like some are being misled). I know everyone is different, but I would have held off until today had I known how horrible it would make me feel 24 hours.

(sorry ... that was a bit of a rant. Smile).

Cyclebump · 14/01/2011 13:29

I had mine at about 12 weeks as I qualify for a jab every year (apparently I have asthma, but I've never used an inhaler).

Went to my 28-week check yesterday and they were desperately trying to get every woman who came in vaccinated. My DP had what we think was swine flu over Christmas and we very nearly had to get him into hospital he was so ill.

Is it worth you talking to your antenatal clinic/mw about it?

rasta · 14/01/2011 13:36

Yes I'm getting it done. I've however been on a waiting list for the last 6 weeks. Am still waiting to get it

meg89 · 14/01/2011 13:41

when i say side effects/adverse effects im meaning in terms of baby and the pregnancy. Not feeling ill,having a sore arm etc.. They told me that i may have either these for a couple of days. But thats expected and normal with flu jabs anyhow.

CrapBag · 14/01/2011 19:53

I had it. Being healthy normally isn't a reason and I am surprised the GP said this. Pregnant women are in a high risk group.

Obviously your decision but to me its just not worth taking that chance. Healthy people have been very ill with it.

The MW at the hospital did tell me she is getting strict on telling pregnant women that they should be having the jab.

Greenmantle · 14/01/2011 20:36

I had mine last week (at 34 weeks) as there was a confirmed case of swine floor at my work place and that put the frighteners on me. No side effects other than some tenderness around the site of the injection for a couple of days.

camdancer · 14/01/2011 20:47

I'm getting mine done next week. My consultant advised it at my last appointment before Christmas but it is only just now that I'm well enough to get it.

I got flu at the beginning of December (possibly swine flu but not confirmed). As a result of the flu I had a chest infection, pneumonia and also pleurisy. So far I've had to take paracetamol, ibuprofen, 2 courses of amoxicillin, codeine, clenil and ventolin. Over the past week I've had a chest x-ray and a vq scan where they injected me with radioactive isotopes.

So the possible side effects of the flu jab aren't really worrying me. I'm more worried about the very real possibilities of birth defects and other problems from all the medications and tests I've had.

It's up to you if you get the flu jab or not but thought you should know what you risk if you don't get it.

backintraining · 14/01/2011 20:54

I had mine done this week (I'm just coming up to 6wks pg). The nurse who did it said that I may feel like I was "coming down with something" a couple of days after, I now have a stinking cold but nothing too major. It's just a bugger because you can't really take anything when you're pg - I'm usually the Sudafed queen...... now I'm just bunged up!!

Original poster

AnytimeNOW · 14/01/2011 21:11

Thanks Everybody for advice and sharing your experiences.

Hope those who are suffering and, with young children who are poorly with flu get better soon.

As for me still undecided really...may try and wait just a few more weeks till I'm over well over 12 weeks, and speak to my consultant again.

Thanks again Ladies x

OP posts:

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