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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 torn what to do about the flu jab..are any of you going to refuse?

99 replies

blondebaby111 · 26/09/2013 10:43

I have my 25 week check nxt week with a doctor and I know they will mention the flu jab. I'm really torn what to do, I've never needed it before and I'm very lucky I have a high immune system and this pregnancy I've been so lucky health-wise.

Most winters I never get a cold and I work in the beauty industry so I'm around it a lot but I've also had clients that have the jab yyear after year and end up with the most horrendous cold afterwards..what to do!!?? I just don't know.

Hubby isn't really too keen on me having it either..this baby is very precious to us as we never thought it would happen but I also know that if u have flu while pregnant its pretty damn awful too..are any of u abit cautious like me??

OP posts:

PrincessKitKat · 26/09/2013 10:51

Marking my place as I'd be really interested to hear people's views too.

I've booked in for mine as I heard from a colleague (so nobody well connected) that swine flu is doing the rounds again - as I'm out & about in contact with lots of people day to day in my work, I'd rather be protected. But yes, I also heard the jab can be pretty unpleasant.

comfyonesie2 · 26/09/2013 10:53

Hi, yes, I'm a bit cautious too, but after much deliberation and weighing up the pros and cons, I booked in for it next Tuesday. I work in healthcare and normally choose not to have it, but I have 2 other children at school, and the thought of potentially having a newborn plus two others to look after whilst having full blown flu is too much to contemplate. Also, high temp, flu etc whilst pregnant is going to be bad for the baby too. Having done the research, I think benefits outweigh risks, but I understand why you are cautious!

K8eee · 26/09/2013 10:53

I know what you mean blondebaby. I too was very cautious but my immune system isn't that great when it comes to colds, and when I get one I suffer horrendously with it currently I'm going through having a streaming nose, sneezing fits and not feeling 100%. I'm not sure if it's hay fever or the weather playing about with me, but the way I look at it is, if I'm suffering now and I haven't got a full on cold, what could happen if I did get the flu? It scares me that it could develop into pneumonia and I could be hospitalized. It's definitely personal choice, and everyone I have known to have it does get pretty crappy afterwards, but now I'm carrying my first child I want to protect both them and myself as much as I can.

Congrats too by the way!

DaleyBump · 26/09/2013 10:54

I wasn't going to get it but I've changed my mind. The flu can kill young babies and if I can protect him against even one strain of the virus it'll be worth it. I say this as someone who has refused various vaccinations previously. I'm not anti-vac, I just think you should research the vaccines first and decide for yourself.

ovenbun · 26/09/2013 11:05

I will be having the jab, a week of possible cold symptoms traded for keeping myself and baby safer is no contest for me. Unfortunately within my professional capacity I come across women and babies who have been affected by flu. Pregnancy massively relaxes the immune system, however good it may be and puts us at much higher risk of contracting flu. The truth is that every year in the UK previously healthy pregnant women die if complications relating to flu, which include pneumonia, septicaemia, and neurological infections. if you are concerned about the jab please speak to your go or midwife who can reassure you. There seems to be a massive anti immunisation culture since the bogus mmr research, but the reason we have free jabs is because of the risks of not having them.

thecakeisalie · 26/09/2013 11:18

I will be having the flu jab with this pregnancy but my decision is based on the fact that last year I had pneumonia and ever since colds always hit my chest quite hard. The months it took to recover were horrendous and I can't imagine being pregnant at the same time. I've weighed up the risks and think it would be better to risk the vaccination than getting flu. As others have said doing a bit of research first helps and just being aware of any potential risks.

Cannotbelieveit · 26/09/2013 11:21

I had the flu jab in my last pregnancy (only last year) and had no side effects from it. Booked in it have it again with this pregnancy.

I'm ill at the moment and it's torture only being able to have paracetamol

Boobybeau · 26/09/2013 11:36

It's such a difficult one and I totally felt the same as you when I was pregnant. I was so very torn as I didn't want there to be any complications and then wonder if it was because I had the jab. Then I got flu while pregnant and was VERY poorly and it was made worse that I was totally worried about the baby. If I got pregnant again I think I would jab now as I think the risks of having the flu are greater then having the jab

Brodicea · 26/09/2013 11:46

I have asthma so have a jab every year and have never had a bad cold afterwards. I hope that helps balance what you've heard a little...
Never had it pregnant, but I think I'll go ahead - will be much better than getting the chest infection that usually used to follow the flu!

onedogandababy · 26/09/2013 11:50

I had it last time I was pregnant (2 years ago) and had no side effects at all, not even a sore arm.

Flu can be pretty nasty in pregnancy, not only because you're limited on the drugs you can take...

Supersesame · 26/09/2013 11:53

I work from home so I don't think I'm that risky to get it (touch wood), so I'm not going to get it.
I've also never had a flu jab before so I don't think having one now for the first time, as I begin the third trimester is the best time to risk any side effects.
I think if I'd had the jab before and know what to expect, I probably would get it.

Sunnysummer · 26/09/2013 12:25

It's a dead vaccine, so you cannot get a flu from it, and the flu is really nasty in pregnancy and for newborns - often people call bad colds 'flu', but it is much more severe and can end up with hospitalisation.
After my jab I had no side effects beyond the bump on my arm.

SuffolkNWhat · 26/09/2013 12:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

rallytog1 · 26/09/2013 13:02

I think it's a no brainer. You may have met people who had a cold after having the jab but that doesn't mean the two things are related - maybe they would have got a cold anyway?! Also, your immune system is generally a little suppressed in pregnancy, so you may not have the resistance you normally have. You really don't want full-blown flu while pregnant.

PhilMckrakin · 26/09/2013 13:09

I totally agree with ovenbun. Please have the jab. Some strains of flu can be fatal or you can end up in intensive care on a ventilator, it's not just a bad cold. Pregnant women are especially at risk of complications which us why they encourage you to have it. Immunisations are extensively tested before they use them on the general public.

mymagaret · 26/09/2013 13:10

The Flu jab is not a live vaccine. meaning your not going to get the flu from the vaccine, or a cold for that matter. Its purely coincidence that the people you say had bad colds after having the vaccine had them, people offered the vaccine are usely people with a lower immune system so they are likely to be getting coughs and cold during the flu season anyway. The vaccination is not going to stop you getting a cold but it might very well stop you getting the flu that leaves you bed ridden and very poorly. You might get an achy arm and a bit of a temperature like any vaccination but surely you can put up with that for the sake of protecting your baby?

CrispyFB · 26/09/2013 13:39

I've never had any side effects from it, pregnant or not.

I'm always a little cautious but then I remember a few years back a lady on here losing her baby at full term after coming down with the flu (does anyone else remember her?) and that convinces me.

Children get a flu mist up their noses, that IS a live vaccine and pregnant women are not advised to have it for that reason.

wispaxmas · 26/09/2013 13:43

What others have said- it's impossible to get the flu from the flu jab anyone who says otherwise is ill educated about it.

I have it every year because of my asthma and being pregnant only makes it that much more important to get it IMHO.

Madratlady · 26/09/2013 13:45

I know I should, I'm a nurse. It's more that I'm unlikely to get round to it.

I also felt dreadful for 2 days after taking up the offer of one at work last year and I hate feeling rough at work.

EmB1715 · 26/09/2013 13:48

I had it yesterday along with the whooping cough one. I feel fine today, just a sore arm from the WC one.

enormouse · 26/09/2013 13:53

I've booked in for mine too. I've had to get a special egg free vaccine ordered as I'm allergic. Has anyone had that particular brand of vaccine?

KikiShack · 26/09/2013 14:12

I'm about to pop any day so won't be getting it to protect my unborn baby, but what should I do to protect my newborn? Is there a jab they can have, and/or if I have one a few days after giving birth will I be able to transmit some antibodies in breast milk?

I noticed my immune system was worse in pregnancy (first real cold in about 10 years! Then second, and third, was ill for about 10 weeks solid) but is it still surpressed after birth when feeding etc?

lifeistooshort · 26/09/2013 14:16

I feel for you, tough decision to make. I had to make a similar one when the first swine flu vaccine was out and there was so much debate. I did end up having it, which is just as well as I caught several chest infections which turned in pneumonia and I can't imagine what it would have been like to catch swine flu.

My DS is now three, completely normal and full of beans. Hope this helps.

MinesAPintOfTea · 26/09/2013 14:27

I had it when I was pregnant. DS is currently singing in his cot because he won't bloody nap

One woman that year was telling people about the baby she lost when she was hospitalised with flu. A few days of having a cold (which is probably coincidental) doesn't really compare.

wintersdawn · 26/09/2013 14:37

refused on both pregnancies much to midwifes disgust. have only had it once in my life and possibly pure coincidence but never had a more cold filled winter. carried both children over winter and didn't catch a cold either time.
have to say wont be giving my daughter the new 2year old nasal flu vaccination docs just told me about either.

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