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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Flu jab during pregnancy

49 replies

Melbimp · 28/10/2017 07:50

Hi guys. What are everyone's thoughts on this? I've heard nothing but negative experiences about getting the flu jab during pregnancy??

OP posts:

AnUtterIdiot · 28/10/2017 15:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TerrifyingFeistyCupcake · 28/10/2017 15:14

I had it. No ill effects whatsoever. It's very important, for both baby and mum. Real flu is a killer and causes lifelong health effects to babies in utero.

The vaccine is a dead virus, not live. It is therefore impossible to catch flu from it. However, your body may mount an immune response which involves a raised temp and maybe feeling grotty for a couple of days. This shows it's working (your immune system has detected a pathogen and is doing its thing) and, while not pleasant, is a hell of a lot milder and less risky than flu.

TonicAndTonic · 28/10/2017 15:23

I had it at 25 weeks pg and had no side effects at all, having it was a no-brainer for me.

Julesbegone · 28/10/2017 15:29

I’m 38+2 and haven’t been offered it. Is it worth me having it now? Midwife has said that it takes a couple of weeks to ‘work’ and the ‘terrible strain’ which is expected isn’t covered in this vaccine anyway...some advice would be appreciated.

Not sure if this is relevant but I’ve never had the flu and my immune system is bulletproof, having been a teacher for 5 years. I know pregnancy effects this though.

BagelDog · 28/10/2017 15:36

Definitely get it. Meant to be an awful flu season this year. I have it every year and have never suffered anything worse than a sore arm, it isn’t live so you cannot ‘catch’ anything from it. Have worked in ITU through a few band flu years and seen far to many very very sick pregnant women not all of whom had happy outcomes, so I am fairly black and white on this...

Whooping cough vaccine too please.

BowlingShoes · 28/10/2017 15:37

I was pregnant during the time o the bad swine flu virus and there seemed to be a lot of fear about getting the vaccine. I was the only one in my NCT group who had it (I think at about 30 weeks.) Never crossed my mind not to get it even though many others were reluctant.

Jules Someone more knowledgeable may be along to correct me, but I was told that having the flu vaccine in pregnancy can also offer some protection to the baby that lasts a few months, so if that is the case I would say it's worth having at any time. You also wouldn't want to get flu while you had a newborn.

Mrstobe90 · 28/10/2017 15:40

I had mine on tuesday and other than my arm being a teeny bit sore, I've had no after effects :)

Jojopugh · 28/10/2017 15:41

I had mine and I was fine. The nurse kind of said to me flu can make you really poorly and if bad enough potentially kill you. There was no competition really. It’s very much down to personal choice as my sister wouldnt have hers x

ScarletSienna · 28/10/2017 15:49

I would Jules. Even if usually your immune system is good, the baby benefits too. Think that was a bit irresponsible of your midwife!

Mumbofeet · 28/10/2017 15:50

It still amazes me that in the 21st Century people are still scared of having vaccines. If there was a vaccine offered to stop you from getting cancer people would have it no question. Yet flu and whooping cough are just as serious. Plus now there's your baby to think of aswell as yourself. They're not offered for the fun of it they're offered because they can save you and your baby's lives.
BTW this isn't aimes at you OP, just a general rant about people that are anti vaccine lol.

thingymaboob · 28/10/2017 15:55

I am 29 weeks pregnant and I got given it by another 27 week pregnant colleague (NHS) who has also had it. I've had no ill effects and in my NHS trust where I work there are regular flu jab drop ins. 1000s of us have had it and no ill effects. It's not a live virus so won't make you ill.

FuzzyOwl · 28/10/2017 16:00

I’ve had it during three pregnancies and no bad reaction either, or when I have had it and not been pregnant. The worst has been a slightly sore arm for a day or two.

The flu vaccine also protects your baby for the first few months of their lives, in the same way whooping cough does.

BigBaboonBum · 28/10/2017 16:22

Hi :-) I had mine this time. I had flu in my last pregnancy which I had to be hospitalised for as it sent me into early labour and gave me pneumonia, my doctor said I was very lucky I went in to the gp when I did. There are no risks and your body really struggles to fight it when pregnant so I would xx

BigBaboonBum · 28/10/2017 16:22

And I had no reaction at all other than a red mark where the injection was, but it didn't hurt

elland · 28/10/2017 16:22

No problems over here!

Monkeypuzzle32 · 28/10/2017 20:45

some rude people on here, its becoming a place where you cant ask questions!

ScarletSienna · 28/10/2017 21:01

Where has anyone been rude?

TheCatsMother99 · 28/10/2017 22:44

some rude people on here

Who? On this thread?

OP, I've seen youve already decided to get it done, FWIW, I think its the right choice, I've had mine done and was absolutely fine and haven't heard anything negative either.

why12345 · 28/10/2017 23:04

I had it with both of mine no symptoms after just quite a big red raised mark on my arm where the needle went in.

SomehowSomewhere1 · 28/10/2017 23:32

Had my flu vacine for the first time last week, Boots pharmacist warned my arm may be achey or I may feel like I have a bit of a cold for a few days. However completely fine, ditto whooping cough.

sycamore54321 · 28/10/2017 23:39

I get mine every year (recommended where I live) including when I was pregnant. Never had a problem beyond once a slightly sore arm (felt a bit bruised if I lifted it up high). I lived for about six years with a nurse-midwife and in that time, she dealt with two deaths of pregnant women from flu. She didn't work in a particularly busy hospital.

For an otherwise healthy adult, flu is a horrible painful debilitating illness, but serious longer-term complications are not likely. For an otherwise healthy pregnant woman, flu is easily fatal. Either way, I don't want either one. I definitely don't want to take the risk of flu when pregnant.

CinnamonAndSpice · 29/10/2017 00:58

Had mine. Absolutely fine.. Just a red swollen part the next day but not painful.

Lozmatoz · 29/10/2017 06:01

Negative? Like what? I’ve had it in all 3 pregnancies. You go, they do it, you leave. Nothing else.

ethelfleda · 29/10/2017 06:31

I had it a couple of weeks ago - no side effects at all. Definitely get it!

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