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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Flu vaccine 5 weeks pregnant

32 replies

FingersCrossed1029 · 16/01/2021 08:56

Hi, has anyone had the flu vaccine early in their first trimester? I can only find posts where people had it late in the first trimester, or in the 2nd/3rd trimesters. I’m 5-6 weeks pregnant

Thanks!

OP posts:
AnnaSW1 · 16/01/2021 08:57

Please take it. It's safe. You really don't want to have flu when you are pregnant.

Nat4392 · 16/01/2021 09:09

I had mine when I was 7 weeks, all was well 😊

Mummyspider27 · 16/01/2021 09:10

I was about 7 weeks, all fine xx

Lifeonmars12 · 16/01/2021 09:11

I’ve not bothered with it and I’m 25 weeks. It amazes me that people will do anything to protect baby inside the womb but are quite happy to fire a vaccine into them without any knowledge of what’s in it or what it can do.

MintGreenLife · 16/01/2021 09:15

I’ve got mine today at 11 + 6, but I’m a bit worried as I’m also having to take antibiotics and worry that’ll be a bit of an overload! Obviously going to check before I have it if it’s OK. The flu jab will not only protect you from flu, but also your baby for the first few months of their lives x

Original poster
FingersCrossed1029 · 16/01/2021 09:17

They had scheduled my booking appointment really early (yesterday!) and I felt pressured on the spot to take it / said yes without really thinking, and then I came home and started panicking and worrying that I should have waited longer (because realistically I’m just sat at home mostly on lockdown, I think the chance of contracting it is lower than normal).
So then I started trying to find posts to see when people got it and all I found was examples of people getting it much later than me and I started panicking more.

I know anecdotal examples shouldn’t really be relied upon (ie if medical advice says it’s safe then you should probably trust that more than people’s stories), but for me personally the anecdotal stories does really help!
If anyone else is reading this and had it early and all was fine please continue to post as I’m still driving myself crazy wondering if I did the right thing and whether I should have just waited a bit longer

OP posts:
Chelyanne · 16/01/2021 09:18

I was offered it but turned it down,
I'm fit and healthy. tbh not been ill at all this year as we've spend so much time at arms length from others with all the restrictions. Now I'm home schooling 5 kids I rarely get out of the house to catch anything.

Chelyanne · 16/01/2021 09:23

I had it in 2 pregnancies before, I was over half way in both by those winters. My eldest 2 were both born in December and I don't remember being offered it with them.
The flu vaccine has been running for decades without issues so don't worry too much.

ShalomToYouJackie · 16/01/2021 09:26

My midwife told me the earlier the better with the flu jab. I still put it off until 15 weeks as my anxiety was bad and I was worried about it causing a miscarriage. Most in my due date group got it around 7 weeks I think.

In hindsight, I was being silly and I should've got it straight away, it's to protect your baby, it doesn't matter if you never normally get flu or are never normally ill. Neither am I but still would hate it if I got flu and something happened to the baby.

AegonT · 16/01/2021 11:57

I have it as soon as it is available in the season. This pregnancy that was early in the first trimester. It doesn't matter how pregnant you are, it still has the same benefit. The timing matters much more for whooping cough as too early or too late and the baby won't have maximum immunity when born.

SamoyedFan123 · 16/01/2021 12:10

I had mine at just over 5 weeks in my last pregnancy. It was pre-booked before my BFP as I have it every year, and when I asked they told me it was totally fine to have it that early on.

xHeartinacagex · 16/01/2021 12:11

I think I was 12 weeks when I had it. It was fine.

Honeydukesmum · 16/01/2021 12:46

Had mine at 5 weeks as took my 3 year old for her one and they offered mine at same time rather than my original appointment. Was pleased as one less visit to surgery .

MimiDaisy11 · 16/01/2021 12:56

I got it at around 5-6 weeks as it was coming into winter so I wanted to make sure I was protected. There was no issue. They say any time is fine.

MintGreenLife · 16/01/2021 12:59

Just reading through some of the messages as to why you shouldn’t get it. Obviously it’s personal choice, but it’s important to also consider that your immune system is compromised slightly when pregnant, and it’s possible to get sicker with something like flu which wouldn’t normally be a big issue. I had mine this morning

PurpleFlower1983 · 16/01/2021 13:13

I had mine at 5 weeks and an early scan at 8 weeks. Baby was fine.

Milkshake7489 · 16/01/2021 13:26

I had mine as soon as I could get it. I'm fit and healthy but flu can be more dangerous in pregnancy.

Plus flu can be incredibly serious for babies both during pregnancy and when they are first born(including an increased risk of stillbirth and death in the first week after birth... www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/why-are-pregnant-women-at-higher-risk-of-flu-complications/)

Milkshake7489 · 16/01/2021 13:29

@Lifeonmars12

Hmm It amazes me that people won't take simple steps to protect their baby.
Dollywilde · 16/01/2021 13:33

I had it during the 2 week wait! Had the vaccine on the Thursday and got my BFP on the Sunday. DD now 5 months old and thriving Smile

I’m fit and healthy but caught flu three years ago and it was an awful week. I felt like total shit and if I’d caught it during January 2020 when I felt rough already with morning sickness I don’t know how I’d have coped. Was very pleased to have had the vaccination and wouldn’t hesitate to have it in the 1st trimester again if I found myself pregnant at the start of flu season.

MamaExtraordinaire · 16/01/2021 13:41

I had it at 5 weeks. Currently 14 weeks and all seems well.

Lifeonmars12 · 16/01/2021 13:55

@Milkshake7489 Try having a sister who is vaccine damaged and a nephew who’s development was stunted after his first lot of vaccines as it turned out he had an egg allergy. Egg being one of the components of vaccines.
But yeah you keep pumping your body full of unknown stuff. 👍

MintGreenLife · 16/01/2021 14:01

Everyone has the right to make their own decision regarding what’s best for them and their baby 😕

Superscientist · 16/01/2021 14:11

I had mine at 3-4 weeks, I didn't know I was pregnant at the time which was annoying as I wouldn't have had to pay if I had known!

Personally I get it every year and being pregnant wouldn't have stopped this. I might be fit and healthy and able to cope with the flu but I don't know if the person I pass it on to will be able too.
I accept all vaccine options when pregnany to avoid getting sick in pregnancy and the potential risks associated with that. My gran contracted rubella in pregnancy and it is likely that this was the reason her son was born with heart defects. He died aged 9 and spent his life in and out hospital and had multiple surgeries.

Of all the vaccines available I believe only 2 shouldn't be given in pregnancy

Original poster
FingersCrossed1029 · 16/01/2021 15:46

Thank you for all of these stories, it has definitely calmed me down and I really genuinely appreciate it!

OP posts:
AliceinBunniland · 16/01/2021 15:50

OP I had it at 12 weeks as that's what my GP advised and they refused to give it before then but that seems to be unusual and I have read many people have it earlier.

NHS guidelines say it's safe any time.

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