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

[blondebaby111]

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??

[TinyCC]

I refused it, on the grounds that when I've had it before (not pregnant, through work due to regular contact with general public) I've been ill afterwards - lethargic, joint pain, headaches.

[sunflowered]

At the hospital I worked in during the summer of swine flu a number of pregnant women were admitted to intensive care because they were so ill with flu. It's unlikely to happen to most people, but the consequences if it does are unimaginable and, for me, not a risk I'm prepared to run. There's so much medical advice not to use certain very common drugs, that I don't think trained professionals would contemplate giving something they didn't fully trust to such a large number of people.

[Smitten1981]

My midwife told me today that she had 2 ladies last year who ended up in intensive care from having the flu while being pregnant and that it is very dangerous for you and the baby if you get it.

I booked in for it straight away.

[pettyprudence]

I had it last time and having it again this time. I did not have any side effects last time either (I didnt think it was a live vaccine? on my phone so dr Google is not handy!)

[LimeLeaafLizard]

I had it last winter when I was pregnant. It caused the usual side effects - I felt a bit run down for a week or two afterwards (well, more run down than usual!), and caught a horrid cold which took ages to shake off.

Later in the pregnancy I then caught flu. Apparently there was a strain which developed last winter which had not been included in the jabs.

I was very ill - in bed unable to move for 3 days and sick for about 3 weeks in total. I then developed sinusitis caught another cold.

Despite all this I'd have the jab again if I were pregnant. Any chance of avoiding going through all that would be worth it.

[MummyJetsetter]

I haven't had it, my 1st pregnancy the swine flu one was recommended, i refused this due to there not possibly being any testing done and this time I haven't had the flu jab because I've never had flu before so the chances of me catching it are so slim (touch wood!). I have had the whooping cough one though because it's been given to pregnant women in the US for a long time so I think we'd know by now if it was harmful. x

[katebakes]

Definitely getting it. I'm not going to over think it, although I understand why people do. Pregnant women get very, very I'll when they have flu and I don't want to risk anything, plus my DH is so asthmatic that if he were to catch flu it would turn into pneumonia so I'd rather not take any risks.

[tgamble13]

thanks for putting up this thread just got my appt letter for flu vaccine today and have now made up my mind thanks ladies going to definately get it

[Julietee]

I'm having it despite being needle phobic!
We're generally around hospitals/ surgeries more while pregnant, which may raise the risk of catching stuff like flu. I'd rather have it because I know how anxious I'd be if I got really ill, which I was last time I had flu.

[enormouse]

Just got back from antenatal appointment after being offered the optaflu vaccine. It's an egg free vaccine, is anyone familiar with it?

[mrsgboring]

I get flu jabs as an asthmatic. When I was first pregnant medical professionals were v cagey about giving the vaccine. I had to fight to get it Opinion has changed based on evidence.

I have had the flu twice in my life. Occasionally felt bad after a jab but flu is nowhere comparable. Never ever again. And that's without the added risks to an unborn baby.

[jamwi]

My dad nearly died from swine flu 3 years ago. He ended up in intensive care for a couple of weeks. His immune system was compromised due to medical treatment as yours will be during pregnancy. It was horrific, please have this jab. I had it during my second pregnancy and will have again with this one. Even if you are normally v healthy your body can behave totally differently in pregnancy you are so much more vulnerable.

[MissPlumBroughtALadder]

I refused. Didn't fancy injecting mercury I to myself whiled body was building someone else's neurological system. (Flu vaccination is one of the few in the UK which still contains mercury). Plus I'd already had swine flu so wasn't concerned about contracting it.

[ringaringarosy]

yes ive refused but ive refused all vaccines and my kids arent vaccinated so its not really a suprise!even if they were though,i wouldnt have it,i dont feel its needed.

[DaleyBump]

It's people like you who allow the spread of disease. You've just been lucky.

[DaleyBump]

That was directed at ring

[GreenGiant3]

I had my 35 wk check at midwife today she asked why I haven't had my whooping cough jab yet, I had no other explanation other than "not having had time" she then went on to tell me I was "in luck" as the nurse had a free morning so just go straight through for it then nurse told me I had to get the flu jab too due to an increase in swine flu, so two jabs later and here I am in bed really not well, I know they're not live vaccinations but I have been fine ALL pregnancy until this today still I would recommend all women have these, a lot more pros than cons tbh x

[ringaringarosy]

Daley you believe what you want,i prefer to do my own research into things instead of being a sheep and mindlessly following what the medical profession tells me to.If your happy injecting various chemicals and aborted foetel tissue into yourself and your kids then go ahead,i prefer not to.

[moobaloo]

I will not be having it, as I don't generally believe in vaccination except in certain cases. I've never had real flu, despite being in contact with people for work all winter, and I think I have a pretty good immune system, so I shall be relying on that and my general good health to keep myself and baby safe from harm. It's harder when you have another person to think about, but my own research over the years has convinced me I'm making the right choices.

[DaleyBump]

ring as do I. I have refused various vaccines but a blanket "no, not ever, vaccines are evil" is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

[BeQuicksieorBeDead]

I am having it, flu is horrible. My dp had swine flu a few Christmases ago and he was so ill, it was awful.

[KikiShack]

Hope people don't mind me reposting my earlier post, I'd really appreciate some views on how to protect a newborn since I'm not going to be able to have the jab before giving birth:

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?

[handcream]

As a word of warning. I hate the flu jabs. Often get them when I am there for a say a control pill check and they see I am due one and ask me to roll my sleeve up!

However 2 yrs ago I caught pneumonia. In the Far East. It could have been a lot worse I was told.

[Excited85]

Ok you guys have scared me now. I'm 37 weeks and the flu jab has not been mentioned to me at all, in fact this is the first I've heard of it. As Kiki has asked if I had it after birth would baby get the benefit through milk?

[2Labradors]

excited I work in a GP practice and we have only just started getting our stock of flu vaccs in, so this may be the case at your practice. Our first flu clinic is mid-oct.

I will be having the flu vacc.