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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Will you be getting the flu jab?

66 replies

sepa · 19/11/2015 10:50

Morning peeps. Looking to see what others have done regarding flu jabs during pregnancy?
I have never had flu (I'm not even sure I have had a bad cold for more than 2 days) so I am undecided about the flu jab. I have heard that people who have it for the first time could get sick after as a result (this is probably a small % though) so I need to weigh up the pros and cons. I want to do what is best for my baby but i think it's a bit of a hard decision to make never having flu in the past. I know that it can make you really sick (having the flu) and lead to further illnesses.

If you could let me know if you will or will not be getting it done and if you don't mind saying your reason behind your choice.

I am 24 weeks now so I should be getting it done soon if I want it done

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mrsmugoo · 25/11/2015 13:01

The whooping cough vaccine is for your baby, to pass immunity to them while in utero.

DinoSnores · 25/11/2015 13:17

Call it gut instinct, but I've seen pregnant women and their babies due of flu, so I got the flu vaccine (just yesterday in fact, didn't even have a sore arm this time).

chicamomma, I'd really advise that you look into the flu and WC vaccine so you can make a proper informed choice about whether to have it or not, because your post is fairly nonsensical and it is clear you haven't "delved into it".

Surely it is of interest, at the very least, that the medical profession has taken the unusual step of encouraging women to have vaccines at a time when we do try to avoid as much as possible. There is a whole amount of medical evidence that shows that pregnancy is a time of altered immune response.

Also, as mrsmugoo says, the WC vaccine isn't for you. It is to try to pass some immunity to your baby before their first whooping cough vaccine so that they don't get very sick or die if they contract it, as some babies have done.

ChicaMomma · 25/11/2015 13:36

Dinosnores, i have delved into it a LOT. When i said i havent 'delved into it' i was referring to the immune system of a pregnant woman. I dont buy it that we are immuno-compromised during pregnancy- but very happy to stand corrected on that if there is scientific evidence to say otherwise.

I have however read obsessively about the flu and WC vax, and my gut says No. Also, If you look at actual statistics, it is 0.00003% (of babies born in Ireland in 2014 that is, i realise UK stats may be totally different) that died of whooping cough. Yet every GP around seems to know 'of' an infant who has recently died of it. I am also deeply suspicious of their intent- for eg here in Ireland the GPs get a kickback from the HSE (NHS) for every vaccine administered. And most interestingly, the OBs are not advising getting either of them- it's just the GPs. My consultant told me that if i was his daughter, he'd be telling me not to get any vaccines during pregnancy which says a lot IMO. I'm not inherently anti vax- DS1 is completely up to date with all his for eg- but i personally didnt want to take these 2 during pregnancy.

Everyone should do what they feel is right for them and their baby though- this is what it boils down to, and that is what i am doing. And it's what the rest of you are also doing- and rightly so- but it's always good to have a discussion around the reasoning. Without it getting too personal, if at all possible.

mrsmugoo · 25/11/2015 14:42

The flu jab isn't advised because you are immuno-suppresed in pregnancy, it's because if you get the flu in pregnancy it could be harmful to your baby. Plus Proper flu is a really debilitating illness even if you aren't pregnant, so surely you'd want to slash your risk of getting it while pregnant if you can, and for free?!

strawberryandaflake · 25/11/2015 14:45

I hesitated over it for a while because I had heard it made you I'll but decided not to be a wuss and reap the benefits. 48 hours later I am stuck in bed with terrible flu symptoms, aches, vomiting, fever... At 35weeks pregnant that wasn't good. It only clicked that it must have been the flu jab afterwards. Never again.

randomsabreuse · 25/11/2015 14:45

Didn't have it as didn't manage to get clear enough of the general sniffles throughout the flu season and wasn't comfortable with the additional challenge to the immune system - the midwife was fine with this attitude.

mrsmugoo · 25/11/2015 15:15

My understanding is that it's physically impossible for the jab to make you ill as it's not a live vaccine. If you felt ill after getting it, that's just an unfortunate coincidence.

ChicaMomma · 25/11/2015 15:18

Yes i have heard the same- it couldnt possibly infect you with the flu when it's not actual influenza disease they are administering as part of the jab. Nevertheless it does seem to happen quite a lot- could it be that it temporarily weakens the immune system or something? Same thing happened to my husband and MIL this winter, within the week of getting the jab.

sepa · 25/11/2015 15:22

I had the jab today. The thing that made me ultimately decide is that I suffer with arthritis which hasn't improved during pregnancy last thing I want is flu on top of it then needing to take shit loads of tablets just to move the smallest amount whilst feeling like crap if I got flu

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strawberryandaflake · 25/11/2015 15:26

No mrsmugoo, it wasn't a coincidence... It was an immune system reaction, one that you are supposed to have. The more strong the resistance the better your system is supposed to be. I very rarely get sick so I should have expected it. It wasn't actual flu, just flu-like symptoms as I said.
I'm all for vaccines, anti-vaccers annoy the hell out of me, but this one has had dodgy reports every year.

Y0uCann0tBeSer10us · 25/11/2015 16:33

As I said up thread (and is VERY clearly stated in the flu jab info leaflet), while it can't give you flu it can give you a fever and make you feel pretty rough as you raise an immune response. It is something to throw in the mix when considering risks and benefits of the jab during pregnancy.

emmac3616 · 25/11/2015 17:19

I had it at 12 weeks, now 21weeks, no problems or side effects.

mrsmugoo · 25/11/2015 18:04

I would say even a slight fever/aches would be worth it in comparison to full blown flu in pregnancy.

sepa · 26/11/2015 15:43

Since the jab baby has seemed more quiet (this may just be paranoia or due to anterior placenta) may just be coincidence. Has anyone else found this?

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Y0uCann0tBeSer10us · 26/11/2015 16:26

I had it too early to feel movement so no experience, but any change in movement (even if just coincidence) should be checked out. It's probably fine but I'd contact the maternity ward just to be safe.

sepa · 26/11/2015 16:36

Baby is moving as often (felt kicks 3 times trying to write this) just not as strong. I think it's more due to anterior placenta but I will see later when I am home as baby moves more then than at work.

MW said at last appointment that she could feel strong kicks with the heart beat monitor thing but I couldn't feel a thing.
My movement patio is happens at least every week!

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