Flu jab pregnancy

[ar44455]

Does getting the flu jab during pregnancy protect mum or baby ? I said no to getting it as I would like to build an immune system up myself especially where I'm quite young but does it benefit the baby at all ?

Don’t have it then! If you know better than everyone else why have you even started a thread about it?

Your last comment is factually inaccurate - they very much DO give it before 12 weeks, I had mine at 8 weeks, I’m a teacher and flu was going round my school. They actively encourage you to have it as early as possible. This is copied from the NHS website: “Is the flu vaccine safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Studies have shown that it's safe to have the flu vaccine during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date.
Women who have had the flu vaccine while pregnant also pass some protection on to their babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives.
It's safe for women who are breastfeeding to have the vaccine.”

in the first trimester yes It can corse miscarriage hence why they don't give it to women before 12 weeks

Best put a complaint in to my hospital then as I had mine at 8 weeks when I was there for a dating scan!

www.tommys.org/our-organisation/about-us/charity-news/flu-jabs-and-miscarriage there is no conclusive proof/ evidence that it caused miscarriage. It protects both mum and baby

Antibodies you have pass to the baby in third trimester. I have had the flu jab every year for about 10 years. As an asthmatic nurse who is now 29 weeks pregnant, I had it last week. If you don't want it then don't have it. I get mine as it protects me, my family, my baby and my patients. I have never had any side effects.

It can be given in any trimester so your 'facts' are incorrect

Why start a thread if you've made your mind up.

You seem very misinformed. You originally say it can cause miscarriage before 20 weeks, then change this to 12 weeks. Both are incorrect. The NHS advises getting the flu jab at ANY stage of pregnancy. If there was even the smallest increase in risk of miscarriage they would not recommend this.

I for one will be getting the flu jab in this pregnancy. It's booked for next week. I can't think of any valid reason not to get it and many reasons why I should.

I won't repeat what many have said before me as you don't seem interested in listening.

Getting actual flu will be a hell of a lot worse than the side affects. Especially given you won't be able to take anything stronger than paracetamol.
Yeah, you might still get flu but, be getting the vaccination you lower your chances. You also get to be a part of something wonderful called herd immunity. They very thing that will protect your baby before it has its vaccinations.

You can have it before 12 weeks. Please, for the sake of your baby, go and do do some reading on actual reputable websites like the NHS or WHO. A lot of what you have said is simply not true.

It protects your baby from the effects that you having the flu could have on the baby. For example, if you had a temperature from the flu, it could effect your baby and possibly cause a miscarriage.

So because it won’t work for 41 people (your given statistic) in every 100, you shouldn’t have it in case you’re one of them? I would most definitely have it. Anything that is good for you is good for the baby now. This is from the NHS website: Women who have had the flu vaccine while pregnant also pass some protection on to their babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives.

Christ. Get the flu jab.

Getting the flu whilst pregnant is serious. Yes, it protects you and baby.

Also, please get the Whooping Cough vaccine.

So don't get it then. Suffer. I don't know why you asked if you're going to ignore everyone's advice other than your 'friend's mum who is a midwife'.

It protects you which protects the baby. I had an awful cold during my pregnancy and it was horrible because i couldn't take anything, I can't imagine having the flu during pregnancy. I've been having the jab for years due to asthma including when I was pregnant and other than a sore arm have had no side effects. Of course it affects everyone differently but it's not a live vaccine so shouldn't give you flu. Although you do sound like you've made your decision that you aren't getting the jab anyway.

I said no to getting it as I would like to build an immune system up myself

OMG. Get me off this planet. 😂

I have no immune system. As in I see haematology every 12 weeks, and inject myself with a drug to stimulate my bone marrow. Without that drug, my immune system is so low that my haematologist advised I would be barrier nursed. I don't ever sit in a&e or a doctors waiting room as I'm not allowed to due to the risk of catching anything
I have my flu jab every year. Slightly sore arm. That's it, it's not a live vaccine
If it was that dangerous or caused issues, they wouldn't be recommending it to vulnerable people

@ar44455 I was 26 when 1st pregnant and only got whooping cough. I turned down the flu jab - I had flu once at 17 and recovered well. I rarely used to get sick. DS was born in December. However since I had him my immune system is now terrible! I had gastroenteritis in August at 8 weeks pregnant it was the worst ever - I was terrified something might happen this baby. I will definitely be getting flu jab this time.

Ok OP, you say you will have the jab if it protects the baby, but not of it only protects you. So the below is, again, copied from the NHS website (and I recommend you read the whole page, just google ‘flu jab pregnant), and it clearly states it protects the baby from illness and potential death, both during the pregnancy and after birth. So there’s your answer, yes it does protect the baby. Hope this helps. “Why are pregnant women advised to have the flu vaccine?
The flu jab will help protect both you and your baby.
There is good evidence that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.
One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia.
If you have flu while you're pregnant, it could mean your baby is born prematurely or has a low birthweight, and may even lead to stillbirth or death.”

^ there’s your answer then

Getting flu while pregnant is a known risk for miscarriage and stillbirth, and there is no evidence that the vaccine causes either of those. As you are pregnant, you are more likely to get flu than someone who isn’t and more likely to get complications if you do. They recommend the vaccine for a reason. I really hope your friend’s midwife mum isn’t giving the advice not to have it out to patients.

I am a doctor, I have mine every year and will definitely be having mine this year now that I’m pregnant. I have seen women catch the flu in late pregnancy and end up being so ill they are in intensive care. You are much more vulnerable to flu in pregnancy and it can cause miscarriage/stillbirth. The flu jab is not 100% effective but it reduces the risk considerably, the worst side effect most people get is a sore arm and it is not associated with any risk to your baby.

No OP there was a (now discredited) study that suggested a link. There is no risk. You you need to think about where you are getting your “facts” from.

@ar44455 I made the same mistake on another thread of asking what ppl were doing re vaccines in pregnancy as I too am undecided! Unfortunately I don't think you can dare go against the mainstream on mumsnet without incurring the rath of those who know best & who clearly care more for their unborn child!

Being labelled an 'anti-vaxer' is most unhelpful & think few would ever even align themselves in the category! How can you be when clearly vaccines have eradicated many diseases & illnesses that were previously deadly?

What I read was that you are merely wanting to become more informed about the possible side effects of these vaccines vs the benefits. I'm sorry but not one person on this thread is an position to say they are completely safe & every decision re vaccines is weighed up against the risks.

I was recommended a great book by another mumsnetter called 'Vaccines - making the right choice for your child' by Richard Halvorsen. He is pro vaccine so coming from an unbiased stancepoint. I got it today & cant put it down so defo recommend you getting that!

U don't need the advice of mumsnet, u go with your gut & what's right for you and your child! It's what I'm going to do which, might I add, is to be vaccinated!

Good luck xx

Go with your gut? Jeez. Awful advice. And it’s wrath. You will get a hard time on here for endangering your life and that of your baby’s because you are listening to scare stories and making knee jerk reactions. Get your info from educated sources.

OP I’m intrigued as to why you will not listen to medical experts who advise you to get the jab, but will listen to your friends mum who says you shouldn’t. Seems like you have already decided and are only listening to people who share your opinion. That is not an objective way to make a decision (it’s an example of confirmation bias). I also appreciate that with the internet at our disposal we can be tempted to take it upon ourselves to do research about things like this and then think that we have reached the best conclusion. However this is what NICE guidelines were made for, and they are written by people who are medically trained and better able to interpret the results of complex studies. If you GP is telling you to do something like get a vaccine that advice will be based on a wealth of evidence. Please don’t be one of the people who “doesn’t trust experts”.

No one has mentioned this specifically yet, but I think it’s worth pointing out. The efficacy of the flu vaccine changes yearly. This is because scientists have to make an educated guess as to which strains will be most prevalent the coming flu season. My understanding is that last year wasn’t the best in terms of matching the vaccine to the strains. However other years it is much more effective. I got my jab before I fell pregnant so was covered. As others have said it isn’t a live vaccine. It does protect you and baby. The NHS wouldn’t fund it if it wasn’t worth it in terms of preventing illness. This is why vulnerable people get it for free. Please look back at the swine flu pandemic. So many pregnant women lost babies, ended up in ICU and even died. My mum is a respiratory therapist and the horror stories she had from that pandemic are frightening. You have the means to potentially prevent that for yourself and your baby- at the risk of a sore arm. The flu is totally unpredictable but it is known to be worse for pregnant women, why take the risk? Even giving yourself lower odds of contracting it seems worth it to me.