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

Original poster

Dr wants me to have the flu jab. Would you/have you?

38 replies

Flightty · 04/05/2012 16:13

I'm not sure what to do. I'm only just pregnant, and it's nearly summer (well sort of!) but he thinks it is a good idea to have the flu jab.

I don't have any other medical conditions. What would you do - is anyone else in this situation?

thankyou

OP posts:
georgee · 04/05/2012 16:25

Hi. I had it in my last pregnancy when swine flu was rife. I had it at 21 weeks but my friend had it before 12 weeks. I did worry a lot at the time because the jab was new. Both babies were fine and I didn't catch flu. Someone in my antenatal class did and had a bad time of it (although her baby was fine too).

AdiVic · 04/05/2012 16:32

I personally would not, but it is a personal choice. There are some who are very for, and those who are against. I used to work for a co who sold into the NHS and my job involved going into Dr's surgeries and Hospitals every day, and I fell pregnant all 3 times in September, so nearing the start of the flu season. Some would say I was irresponsible not having the jab/protection, but I felt very strong and healthy and chose not to, as did some of my colleagues who were in the same boat. My Dr & MWs NEVER ever pushed it. I made sure I kept my hands clean and didn't touch surfaces.

How P are you? Will you still be P in the winter? Would your job/lifestyle put you at risk? I would look up arguments for and against online and do some research to satisfy your own mind, then you and you alone can make up your mind without the influence of the press, or folk who may feel very strongly one way or the other. What does your heart/mind say?

Good luck:)

ragged · 04/05/2012 16:35

probably yes, I would. To prevent exposing DH to flu virus if nothing else (he gets respiratory problems at least once a year).

ghosteditor · 04/05/2012 16:36

It's your choice; I had the flu jab last year while pregnant with DD. it's an inactive vaccine, but provides some measure of protection against some forms of flu, and gives the baby a measure of immunity for a short while after birth. DD has a bad cold at the moment and trust me, you wouldn't want to risk flu with a very small baby - the cold is bad enough.

Original poster
Flightty · 04/05/2012 17:25

Thankyou very much everyone. Adivic, I'm unsure whether I should ask but I am interested in your reasons not to have it...I was suspicious of the other one but the one for pregnant women sounded a bit less scary when it all happened a few years ago. Not sure if I imagined that Smile

I will still be pregnant in the winter, baby is due in January. So I'm only, what, 3 weeks at the moment! (and feeling very sick already). I think I might wait till the first few months are done with, in case it has any side effects that make me feel any worse.

Then go from there.
Thanks again for the replies.

OP posts:
ghosteditor · 04/05/2012 17:32

Congrats OP! DD is a January baby. I had full blown flu the month she was conceived and it was absolutely dreadful - I'm asthmatic so normally have the flu jab annually with no ill effects (I missed it the year I got flu). If I were you I'd wait for the flu season and go for it. Good luck!

Flisspaps · 04/05/2012 17:42

I wasn't even offered it in my second pregnancy (DS was only born last month).

First time round was when Swine Flu was just getting going, I chose not to have the vaccination as it was so new and I chose to run the risk of SF than definitely having such a new jab. I got SF at 28w, I felt fucking awful but DD suffered no ill effects. I know others weren't so lucky but like so many things it's a choice you have to make yourself.

mangomadness · 04/05/2012 18:05

Sadly I got flu a month before the jabs were available at work. This was in my first trimester. I ended up in a&e veey seriously ill. As soon as I was able I had the jab. Luckily my husband is a microbiologist so I have a brilliant resource on hand! It's an inactive vaccine.

ninipops · 04/05/2012 18:14

I did twice! It was towards the end of pg with DD (Nov or Dec and she was born in Jan) and I was pg again with DS by the following flu season so had it again. No problems and both babies are fighting fit. Well apart from the chicken pox at the mo but I don't think I can blame the flu jag for that!

Birdies · 04/05/2012 18:30

i did. i think the risk to baby of getting the flu was worse than risk of jab (it was winter though). Worried about side-effects beforehand but not only did it not hurt, i didnt feel any different at all afterwards

Doodlegoogle · 04/05/2012 18:30

I don't normally bother with the flu jab but did this year because I was pregnant. Your immune system is weaker when pregnant so you can get the more serious complications. Sadly I know someone who was on intensive care during her pregnancy in the swine flu pandemic and though she survived, her baby did not make it. :(
There is also evidence that flu in the later months of pregnancy causes an increased risk of schizophrenia in later life.
I do wonder when the best time to have the jab is though - I think your immunity decreases (so you need a jab each year even if they are vaccinating with the same strains) and I don't know when they decide on what strains they'll vaccinate with - maybe discuss with your Gp about whether to wait until autumn or have both the 2011/ 12 and the 2012/13?

BuntyCollocks · 04/05/2012 18:32

I did with my dc1, a January baby, and will with this one, who is also due in January.

confuzed90 · 04/05/2012 18:47

I had it this winter, baby was born just 6 days ok and everything is fine. I had no affects just a very achy arm! Didn't hurt to much. And I even noticed that I rarely got a cold and if I did it wasn't half as bad as they usually are, coincidence I don't know but I would reccommend although I found the choice myself hard to make, it is your choice x

WateryFowls · 04/05/2012 18:54

I had it last autumn when I was pg with my January baby and had no problems at all. I was extremely ill with pneumonia the year before and lost a baby right in the middle of it so I wasn't prepared to take any chances.

Loislane78 · 04/05/2012 19:22

I'm 24 weeks and chose not to have flu jab, although I work with lots of research scientists who explained the pros/cons to me as well as GP.

Just remember that the flu jab is seasonal i.e. it potentially vaccinates a different strain each year. If the main threat is considered over this winter you might want to consider talking to you GP/MW about waiting until Autumn again? Which isnt to say you won't get it between now and then but everything is a case of probability.

Congrats :)

Loislane78 · 04/05/2012 19:35

Sorry, just realised we might be talking flu vs swine flu jab? In which case H1N1 doesn't change I don't think

MummyLuce · 04/05/2012 19:40

I'd have it now before your morning sickness gets worse! I say this because I got flu when I was 9 weeks pregnant and the combination of flu and morning sickness was intolerable.

McPhee · 04/05/2012 19:42

I had it within my first 12 weeks.

It's no biggie really.

Better to be safe than sorry imo.

Springforward · 04/05/2012 19:46

I have the flu jab every year (including swine flu) because of the place where I work, and I would be even more keen to do so if I was pregnant.

BoysBoysBoysAndMe · 04/05/2012 20:00

I've had it as I have asthma as well as being pg.

Your immune system isn't as string when your pg, so it's best to be on the safe side IMO.

I have heard of pg women and babies dying from flu/swine flu - although thankfully they're few and far between, I don't see the point in leaving it to chance.

BoysBoysBoysAndMe · 04/05/2012 20:01

Strong - not string Confused

AnaisB · 04/05/2012 20:09

I had swine flu and seasonal flu vaccinations in both of my pregnancies and had no problems with either - in fact despite 3 people at work, DD and DH having flu in the past three weeks I have been fine. (I think there is a lot around at the moment - based only on on friends and Facebook updates!)

What are your concerns about it? Flu can potentially be pretty serious - especially when pregnant.

HaggisNeepsTatties · 04/05/2012 21:07

I'm 17 weeks pregnant and neither my GP or midwife have even mentioned the fllu jab. I guess because flu season was pretty much over when I got pregnant, and LO should be here before next the next one...

realhousewifeofdevoncounty · 04/05/2012 21:08

Have it.

Herrena · 04/05/2012 21:13

I had it both times and was fine - didn't notice any problems at all. I worked in a hospital during first PG and so was quite keen to get jabbed!

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