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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Flu jab

51 replies

1234meg · 18/11/2017 05:47

I just wanted to know if the flu jab was defo safe in the first trimester? I know it's recommended but it doesn't seem great putting that in your body when you're pregnant. I wanna do the best thing for the baby's well being.

OP posts:
MissBax · 18/11/2017 05:49

It's totally upto you whether you have it, but how would you feel getting the flu when pregnant? What is it you find unsafe?

ethelfleda · 18/11/2017 05:53

Getting the flu while pregnant can be fatal. Your immune system is suppressed.
They wouldn't give it to you if it were un safe - get the vaccination.

Callamia · 18/11/2017 06:01

It’s a dead vaccine - you risk more by being around people with all kinds of live viruses.

Flu can cause awful things to happen to pregnancies. It’s rare, but it happens. Flu vaccines have been given to pregnant women for years, and if there was a problem - we’d know.

I do understand why it feels like an odd thing to do, and why it makes people nervous. We don’t want to do anything that might harm our baby - but there’s really no evidence that it might, and plenty of evidence that flu does.

midsummabreak · 18/11/2017 06:02

I had four children, no flu immunisation during pregnancy and all was well. Trillions of others the same Fear tactics to sell flu immunisation works well though

EarlGreyT · 18/11/2017 06:43

midsummabreak
That’s nonsense. The flu vaccine is free for pregnant women. Your anecdote doesn’t make evidence either.

The evidence is, that it’s safe for pregnant women and that the risks of severe flu, complications from flu and death from flu are increased in pregnant women. Yes the risks of these are small, but that doesn’t change the fact that the death of almost 1 in 10 women who die in pregnancy die from flu.

ICanNeverThinkOfAGoodUsrname · 18/11/2017 07:24

Yes, you may not get the flu whilst pregnant but if you do then it could be fatal.

I've only ever has the flu once in my life and it was horrific, dangers to baby aside, I would never want to experience that again let alone when pregnant and you can't take much for it. Anything that reduces chance of contracting a strain of flu was a definite yes for me.

Oysterbabe · 18/11/2017 08:36

Yes it's safe.

peachesarenom · 18/11/2017 08:39

I had no idea you could die from flu if you're pregnant!

ICanNeverThinkOfAGoodUsrname · 18/11/2017 09:07

I think it's more it can be fatal to the baby rather than to the mum, peaches.

Oysterbabe · 18/11/2017 09:18

The flu can be fatal to anyone who catches it, it's a serious illness. Pregnancy makes you extra vulnerable.

ICanNeverThinkOfAGoodUsrname · 18/11/2017 09:19

Oh blimey, I suppose it is when you think about it because if you were weak (including being pregnant and using all your energy for baby-growing) then I can easily see how it could kill you.

peachesarenom · 18/11/2017 09:23

I'm scared now because I only just got my BFP last week and DH has something, could be the flu, I share a bed with him! He took the day off work yesterday and he is never off work!

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 18/11/2017 09:30

OP, don't let this happen to you: mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-20/call-for-free-flu-shots-as-sarah-hawthorn-remains-in-coma/8963276

littlemissalwaystired · 18/11/2017 09:31

The flu jab would not be recommended in pregnancy if it was unsafe. We strongly advise people to get it asap, especially with the winter months fast approaching. It's a dead vaccine so won't give you the flu.

Original poster
1234meg · 18/11/2017 09:33

Thanks for your replies! I will probably get it next week. I was mostly reluctant as I'm only coming up 9 weeks, the baby's seems so vunrable at this stage, but if the jab is the best thing for it then I'll get it!

OP posts:
EarlGreyT · 18/11/2017 09:35

I think it's more it can be fatal to the baby rather than to the mum, peaches.

I’m not sure whether you’re thinking of whooping cough rather than flu here. The whooping cough vaccine is recommended for pregnant women to protect the baby rather than the Mum.

Flu can be fatal to both Mum and baby and the aim of the vaccine is primarily to protect the pregnant woman.

Notsooriginalwerther · 18/11/2017 09:37

It’s perfectly safe OP, it’s a dead virus that helps your body create the anti bodies to fight the live virus. As your immune system is low due to pregnancy you’re vulnerable to catching things and especially as your first trimester falls in flu season :( when you have it the doctors or nurses (had mine at boots by their on site nurse) should keep an eye on you for 10-15 minutes to ensure you’re okay after the vaccine. Flu can be fatal for unborn babies especially at early stages. Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!

MagicMoneyTree · 18/11/2017 09:40

You can die from flu even if you’re not pregnant. It’s just that it can be more serious for some people than others- such as babies, pregnant women, elderly people or those with compromised immune systems. That’s why those people are offered the vaccine. The pros of having the vaccine far outweigh the cons imo but if you’re not convinced, do some proper research and make an informed decision.

Anatidae · 18/11/2017 09:47

It’s a very safe vaccine. It’s dead - you can’t get flu. A disproportionate number of pregnant women die from flu - it can kill even healthy young people.

Please try not to get into the whole ‘putting that bad stuff into your body’ thing - there’s an awful lot of rubbish on the web about vaccines

BigBaboonBum · 18/11/2017 10:06

I caught flu during my last pregnancy and had to be hospitalised, I was told I was very lucky I went in when I did as my lungs we’re giving up my body was shutting down but I was so tired and lethargic I didn’t quite realise how bad it was, it was only because my mum came over and saw I was bringing up a lot of blood that she took me in.
Honestly, it’s just a jab, it isn’t dangerous but getting flu when pregnant is a whole different ball game to getting it when not pregnant

thingymaboob · 18/11/2017 11:34

@midsummabreak I work in a hospital with a large intensive care unit and we currently have two young people (in their 20s) in our intensive care unit who have flu. Glad all worked out for you but you just sound really ignorant.

ICanNeverThinkOfAGoodUsrname · 18/11/2017 15:34

I’m not sure whether you’re thinking of whooping cough rather than flu here

Nope, I hadn't been thinking of the whooping cough, I thought the flu jab was to protect baby until someone else pointed it out and I agreed/corrected myself. All I knew was it was important but not for whom exactly.

midsummabreak · 20/11/2017 13:01

My sister died 10 days after she was born due to my mother believing medical professional's anecdotes about the safety of thalidimide for morning sickness.

please do not pretend you are not talking anecdotes, and have research evidence backing your claims. There is no clinical research on the impact of the flu vaccine on forming embryos.
No one wants any mother or child to suffer or die from any nasry virus or flu, but that does not mean we should use that to frighten them into having a vaccine that has not been researched

Wolfiefan · 20/11/2017 13:02

What evidence do you have that the flu vaccine hasn't been researched?
Don't scare pregnant women by comparing a dead vaccine to thalidomide.

midsummabreak · 20/11/2017 13:05

Are you aware of any research