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

Original poster

Flu Jab When Pregnant - urgent advice please

33 replies

Iona1651 · 21/11/2013 14:44

I'm booked in for a flu jab at 5pm this evening. It sounded good advice from the midwife. I'm nearly 8 weeks pregnant. I'm now starting to worry whether I should have this flu jab or not? Any advice would be very grateful.

OP posts:
greentshirt · 21/11/2013 14:49

Why wouldn't you?

I had it because I believe in vaccination. Low risk of getting flu, high stakes if you do, for me that was a no brainer.

birdbrain21 · 21/11/2013 14:53

Advice from all health professionals is to have flu jab when pg. I had it last winter when I was about 5 months pg (and I have a massive phobia of needles). You should have it rather then risk getting ill whilst pg! Take some paracetamol just before or straight after to help your arm not feel as sore and hopefully prevent any cold like side effects.
good luck Thanks you're doing the right thing for the health of you and your baby!

KatAndKit · 21/11/2013 14:53

I had mine this week at 9 weeks. Flu can be dangerous in pregnancy and your immunity is lower so you are at a higher risk of catching it. It is recommended for pregnant women in all trimesters.

LightTripper · 21/11/2013 14:54

My GP surgery is full of leaflets saying if you are PG you need to get flu jab. I had mine a few weeks ago and no probs at all. Try not to worry! Flu is awful at the best of times: not worth the risk IMV.

Worriedthistimearound · 21/11/2013 14:56

I believe in vaccination too but I've declined it. I think having a live vaccine in early pregnancy is far more of a risk that to a living person. Just my opinion though and you need to do what you feel is right.

For me, I weighted up that as a woman in my 40s who has only ever contracted flu once in my life so far that the risk was worth taking. I also worried that if baby had sny problems then id slways worry if the vacc played a part whether it did or not. You need to live with the decision though so go with your gut feeling.

noblegiraffe · 21/11/2013 14:57

Yes, have it. Flu in pregnancy is dangerous, that's why it's offered to you.

AnythingNotEverything · 21/11/2013 14:57

It's fine - I had it at 38 weeks. Only side effect was a sore arm. It's not a live vaccine so you can't get sick from it.

Mim78 · 21/11/2013 15:02

I say have it! I've had mine and all was fine. As above, it's not a live vaccine and so can't make you ill.

Flu can be very serious especially in pregnancy. As far as I can tell, and have been advised, there is no risk from jab. You get a sore arm, that's about it...

3boys3dogshelp · 21/11/2013 15:02

I've had it all 3 times. No problem s aside from a sore arm. Even if you have never had flu before pregnancy suppresses your immune system.

MidnightRose · 21/11/2013 15:02

As a biomedical scientist who specialises in immunology, I have never come across a woman who had a flu vaccine which caused problems for the pregnancy. I have come across many women who didnt have the flu forvaccine which has ended up causing serious issues for the pregnancy. It doesnt matter if you've never had flu before the strain differs each year.

Snowflakepie · 21/11/2013 15:03

I had it in both my pg. both DC (nearly 4 and 4 months) are fine. Most people I know have had it with no issues.

Weigh it against not being able to take many meds if you become ill in pg, feeling utterly horrendous and taking longer to recover. For me it was an easy decision. Good luck.

redcarrot1 · 21/11/2013 15:08

I had it some time ago at around 27 weeks. Just ended up with a red bump on my arm for a few days after.

Its not a live vaccine. Read the NHS for info:

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/flu-jab-vaccine-pregnant.aspx#give

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 21/11/2013 15:21

It's not a live vaccine. Info from the manufacturer's leaflets given to me by the pharmacist.

Julietee · 21/11/2013 15:32

Yeah, um... don't go with a 'gut feeling' on this as someone suggested, go with science. It's not a live vaccine. I would imagine having flu is more harmful to you and potentially to the fetus at any stage of pregnancy. Any 'flu like' symptoms people get afterwards are a perfectly normal immune response to the jab, not the flu.

MightilyOats · 21/11/2013 16:22

I tried to get it whilst ttc but wasn't allowed it on nhs until pg. had it done at 7 weeks and it was quick and painless. Having had swine flu three years ago just before I got pg with no1 it was the singularly most unpleasant virus (other than hand, foot and mouth) that I have ever suffered and would not want to have had it whilst pg. get the vaccine, it's not worth the risk.

Stom91 · 21/11/2013 16:27

Yup I've had it. Had no problems just an a hey arm for a couple days. I'd rather get the vaccine than risk becoming seriously I'll that couple afeect me or baby!

It's not a live vaccine so it won't make you Ill

YoniMitchell · 21/11/2013 17:16

I had it at 20-something weeks, the jab was preferable to the thought of getting flu I couldn't take anything for, and for the protection it offered my baby. I researched it first and spike to my GP, midwife, pharmacists and a nurse, all of whom reassured me enough to make an informed decision

The jab itself is no biggie. IMO.

YoniMitchell · 21/11/2013 17:19

Just seen the time. Did you get it OP?

DoesZingBumpLookBigInThis · 21/11/2013 17:29

mighty

I had the swine flu vaccine as well 3 years ago and will get the flu jab asap.

Worriedthistimearound · 21/11/2013 17:56

I wasn't suggesting the op not have the jab, I was merely stating my opinion on it.

It's like childhood vaccinations. They are safe for 99%+ of children and knowing this, I had all my children vaccinated. However, that doesn't mean that a small minority of children are not damaged by vaccines. So I always read the science and make my own decision.
midnightrose, I know two paediatricians who have delayed the vaccination programme for their children. One opted for single mmr jabs. So even scientists disagree!

MightilyOats · 21/11/2013 19:26

Zing I had the swine flu vaccine when I was pg with ds so hopefully will never get it again (I think you only need that one once?). Nowhere near as bad as the poor souls who were hospitalised but I was nearly hallucinating with the fever!

Xenadog · 21/11/2013 20:07

I had mine along with the whooping cough one. No worries and just a little bit of soreness afterwards. Why wouldn't you have the vaccination?

Alexchallex · 21/11/2013 20:08

Hope you had it. Had it last year and I don't think I've had a better winter health wise. I was pregnant

wispaxmas · 21/11/2013 20:10

Iona, did you get it? Sound advice from nearly everyone on here (and so lovely to hear after coming across loads of bs like 'flu jabs cause miscarriage' on facebook!), I had my jab last week and aside from a bruised upper arm for a couple days no side effects. I've had the flu before (not swine flu, but another version of the dreaded virus), and I ended up in hospital for it, and that's not even with being pregnant. I get the jab every year because of asthma and it has never once made me ill. I hate having to say this because it should be quite obvious that it CAN'T make you ill, but still people don't seem to get it...

Pearlsaplenty · 21/11/2013 20:17

I think it is your call to make.

You know your immune system and exposure risks.

I refused the swine flu vaccine a couple of years ago when pregnant. Got too scared. I fortunately didn't get sick, was ultra cautious with my hygiene and not being in confined spaces with others. I have a ds now and think I might have to have it (or give him one) as obviously my risk is higher now I have a toddler (who attends nursery) in the house.