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??

[HorryIsUpduffed]

I've only just had my letter, and mw says it's because the stocks have only just arrived in the area.

I will be declining. I'm only offered it because of pgy, and will no longer be pg during flu season.

[IWantAnotherBaby]

I've had it; gave it to myself today ! Our stocks arrived earlier this week.

I'm a GP, and 13 weeks pregnant. There is absolutely no way I would run any risk of flu in pregnancy if I could do something this simple to prevent it - I have personally seen the consequences of severe cases of flu in otherwise apparently healthy pregnant women. And of course I am more at risk than many people because of my daily exposure to ill patients.

For me, a no-brainer. But everyone has to make up their own mind and I give my patients the current best medical advice. And when pregnant patients start asking me if I've had it (when they notice I'm pregnant), I will of course answer truthfully.

[CrispyFB]

I only had my appointment letter last week, clinic is 5th October so next weekend.

The way I look at it is if I declined the jab and then if I did get the flu and lost my baby, I would blame myself forever. I can't live with that guilt.

Mumsnet interview last October on the subject: www.mumsnet.com/qanda/flu-jabs-during-pregnancy

I'll be asking about the mercury before I get it anyway.

[Boobybeau]

A reply to some of the mummies about to pop who are worried about flu and newborns; obviously breastfeeding is going to help your babies immune system so that's a good way to protect them from everything. As for your immune system, I'm not sure how long after the birth it's still compromised but you will be very busy and sleep deprived so your immune system won't be at its strongest because of these factors. Maybe chat to your mw in the morning and tell them your concerns. Good luck with your babies x

[colleysmill]

I will be having it.

I usually have a flu jab anyway - I take immunosuppresants so have it offered via GP and have a public facing job so would get it through work as well. And I'm 17 weeks pregnant.

On the rare occasion I do get ill it happens quickly and I tend to get very ill so its a relatively straightforward decision for me tbh

[MrsDibble]

Just out of interest - I am clear on the reasons to have it, but why are people saying it is a tough one? What are the reasons why you might not have it?

I've booked a flu jab for a couple of weeks time.

Also, what is the normal time to have a WC jab?

I'm 18 weeks and haven't been offered this yet.

[Rowboat]

i have to get it anyway for underlying immunity disorders. I've never had a reaction. And the thought of getting flu (which i almost certainly would) and putting baby at risk is not worth it. My. SIL went into early labour because she had flu. It's perfectly safe. its a no brainer for me too.
Do those people who you know who have it, need it because they're prone to infections? If so that's a much more likely reason for the bad cold, ime.

[Rowboat]

Whooping cough ideally between 28 and 32 weeks. just book it in in 10 weeks with nurse. Ours not done through midwives

[blondebaby111]

Thanx everyone to replying to my thread. Still pretty torn what to do but no way do I want to put the health of my baby or myself by at risk by not having it..swine flu scares the hell out of me, didn't realise it was making a comeback..I guess I'm more swayed to having it done than not now but its still a bit of a dilemma :(

[SuperStrength]

Is the flu jab the same as the swine flu jab?

I've been reading up on this www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/10322392/Government-set-to-u-turn-over-narcolepsy-link-to-swine-flu-jab.html

What I can't find out is which vaccine is being offered to me, is it Pandemrix vaccine by Glaxo?

No compensation has yet been paid to the families affected in this article.

I'm very pro vaccine, but I'm worried about the way on which this vaccine was granted it's licence

[PrincessKitKat]

Thanks to OP for posting this topic and everyone for your replies.

I will be getting my 'flu jab - you're absolutely right, why risk the serious consequences of full blown flu just because I might feel a bit rundown after the jab? Plus my LO will be vaccinated with everything coming his/her way (herd immunity etc), so id be a bit of a hypocrite not to have it myself.

[Misty9]

I'll be getting the jab - had it with ds a couple of years ago and don't remember any side effects. I'm nearly 12 wks but booked to have it through work in October anyway, due to nature of role.

As for the narcolepsy link - I've already got that, so not too worried

I'm more worried about the mega painful arm from the WC vaccine that I've been reading about...

[SeriousStuff]

I had it as soon a I found out I was pg. I'm now 38 weeks and haven't been ill once during my pg. Not saying it's down to the jab but, I'm really glad I had it done.

[katebakes]

misty9 I'm terrible with anything needle related so blood tests, vaccinations etc...the WC jab didn't hurt at all. Ok I did then nearly faint in my GP's surgery but I think that's because I had worked myself up so much! I then felt horrible for the afternoon and vomited a few times. Had a nap and was better.

The arm wasnt that bad at all either. It was a bit sore and took a week to get back to normal completely but nothing awful. I'm so glad I've had it :)

[MinesAPintOfTea]

SS there is a new flu jab every year, so no it won't be the same one.

[HorryIsUpduffed]

I got a mega sore arm from the WC jab - for about three days I couldn't sleep on that side - but having a friend whose newborn was admitted to hospital with WC (now fine, thank God) there was no doubt in my mind.

[quackojuliet]

I'm getting the flu jab - had swine flu four years ago and it was dreadful. Not pg at the time and in good health but I was wiped for a month and had to stay in bed unable to do anything.
I'm a little concerned about side eFfects of flu jab as going away for this weekend after getting jab today - will report back my findings!

[froubylou]

I have thought long and hard about both the flu and Wc vacine and have booked in to have both on Monday.

For me the risks to my health of having flu whilst pregnant are too great to ignore. I can still remember seeing a heavily pregnant woman wired up to life support after contracting swine flu. I've also had 'proper' flu. Not the head cold or virus we all call flu, but real flu. It was horrendous and I was a fit and well 20 something year old then, not a 30 something year old who is pg.

The flu jab was quite easy for me to make my mind up on. If I were to die because of the flu, not only would my unborn baby be at great risk and at best be born motherless, I also have a 9 yo DD too.

The WC vacine was a little more difficult to decide on. Partly because it is so new. BUT apparantly it has been used in the USA for many years on PG women, it is given to 8 week old babies and the benefit is not for me, its for the baby.

When you bear in mind how difficult it can be to get the medical profession to let us have even cold remedies or hayfaver remedies whilst PG I think it is is a fair assumption that the risk of baby getting WC is far more serious than the risk of baby suffering because of the WC vacine as they are so adamant that we should have it.

And FWIW the reason we are having to make this decision in PGy now about having the WC vacine is because of the number of people who didn't vacinate their DC. Same with the measels epidemic. We live in a first world developed country where we are fortunate enough to have access to a range of immunisations to protect not only the health of our families but also the health of others. Without mass take up of vacinations then the most vulnerable in our society will be at risk of outbreaks. In this case it seems new born babies are the one who would be at risk.

I think it is fine to refuse any medical treatment for yourself or your DC. But the consequences are more far reaching than what you think so decisions shouldn't be taken lightly. It's not about being a sheep. Its about making informed choices based on sound medical advice.

[ScottishDiblet]

I was pregnant last year and was told to have the flu jab. I needed the special egg free one as I'm allergic to eggs but there was a supply problem with the vaccine and they couldn't get hold of one (my friend who works in public health said there was a nationwide shortage). Anyway I couldn't have it but did want to if I could. I did get very ill last winter with a heavy cold and that was bad enough so would definitely have the flu jab if it came up again. Good luck with your pregnancies ladies.

[GeppaGip]

"And FWIW the reason we are having to make this decision in PGy now about having the WC vacine is because of the number of people who didn't vacinate their DC. Same with the measels epidemic. " froubylou Fri 27-Sep-13 12:00:20

That's not true. The reason, in particular for Whooping cough, is that the vaccine we had as kids has long worn off so it is adults getting whooping cough, not necessarily children. End 2010/ beginning of 2011 whooping cough went rampant round the adults in my workplace. I was pregnant at the time and got it, so I won't be vaccinating during this pregnancy. I probably wouldn't anyway though.

[GeppaGip]

"The WC vacine was a little more difficult to decide on. Partly because it is so new. BUT apparantly it has been used in the USA for many years on PG women, it is given to 8 week old babies and the benefit is not for me, its for the baby. " froubylou Fri 27-Sep-13 12:00:20

Sorry frouby. Another falsehood. It's not the same vaccine as the US. It also isn't the same vaccine that is given to infants at 8 weeks. It is th eone given to three year olds as a pre-school booster.

[ringaringarosy]

geppagrip-finally someone talking some sense!

[Stom91]

ive had the flu jab in previous years due to asthma and never had any problems...
ill be having it next week along with the whooping cough.
my immune system is awful since i got glandular fever a few years ago...

so if i can protect myself and my baby from a harmless jab i will.
if i didnt get it then got the flu and lost the baby due to the flu i dont think id ever forgive myself. x

[qumquat]

I can't imagine any reason not to have it. Real flu feels nothing like a cold so cold symptoms after the jab are completely coincidental (and as others have said the vaccine is dead). I had flu as a teenager and was in bed for nearly three weeks; no way I'd risk being that ill while pregnant.

[Jorior]

I've been told it won't be available until late October. I'm due on 2nd November. Does anyone know how close to delivery I can have it and still provide protection to my baby once born? Thanks...