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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 vaccine in pregnancy

15 replies

BirthChoice · 25/02/2021 15:10

I will preface this by saying in no way am I an anti-vaxxer! I had the flu and whooping cough vax in my previous pregnancy and my child has had all their vax as outlined by the NHS.

BUT - I’m considering turning down the flu vaccine. In my previous pregnancy I had hyperemesis gravidarum (severe sickness) and getting the flu jab coincided with one of my hospitalisations for vomiting. The vomiting had been improving (13 weeks) then I got the flu jab, took a massive step back and was rehospitalised; after this it got better to the point of being manageable for the rest of my pregnancy.

I’m now pregnant again and whilst I technically have HG again, it has been very well and carefully managed from the start - a lot of time and energy has gone into this from me and the various medics around me. Given the VERY low flu levels this year owing to covid I’m considering not having the flu jab as it seemed to have a negative effect on my HG previously.

I’ll obviously discuss this with my midwife / GP (whoever offers it to me first) but I think anyone in the NHS would almost be bound to advise me that as a pregnant woman I should have the flu jab; so I was wondering that others thought?

OP posts:

BlueberryPancake21 · 25/02/2021 15:28

I haven't had HG so it's hard for me to understand how bad that step back was and one of the side effects of the vaccine can be nausea so it does seem possible that they are linked - although it could just be coincidence.

If it was earlier in the year I would say definitely have it - the risks from flu are pretty severe if you do catch it both for you and for baby. But I don't know - the vaccine doesn't take effect straight away and we're coming out of flu season now. If I was able to wfh and take other precautions throughout March I might be tempted to miss it this year in your position. I think I'd feel different if I was in contact with a lot of people regularly as flu is still out there. Also depending on your due date you might need next year's jab as can be very severe in late pregnancy from what I understand.

katiemumma20 · 25/02/2021 15:30

I’ve seen a few threads similar to this this year with people saying that they’re very unlikely to get flu because not going out the house etc. I’d always want to get it a sit is one of the top things suggested to do in pregnancy by the nhs to protect you and baby. But I haven’t had HG so I’m not in your shoes. Someone on the other thread also said it gives your baby protection from flu for the first few months but I’m not sure if that’s true or not but something to consider.

Chelyanne · 25/02/2021 15:31

You can decline it.
I did declined it this time round but have had it in previous pregnancies with no issues.

Catlady21 · 25/02/2021 15:46

I had my whooping cough yesterday and while there the nurses were saying they had run out of the flu jab for this season so there might not be any anyway now.

Littlepaws18 · 25/02/2021 15:55

2 days ago I had the whooping cough and flu vaccine at 17 weeks pregnant. I also have HG and diabetes. I felt really dick for 24 hours but the symptoms were migraine and aches all down my back and arm, next day I was fine. I was told it was the whooping cough that caused this. I would take it because in two weeks everyone will be mixing more and that can only result in more flu cases.

Littlepaws18 · 25/02/2021 15:55

Lol sick not dick..... phone gremlins

GeorgiePorge · 25/02/2021 15:59

When are you due ? My midwife told me today they will only be doing flu vaccines for a few more weeks as they stop in March and start again later in the year (you may well have given birth by then).

She seemed to be saying it is recommended, but as we are at the end of the flu season you may not want to bother. I had already had mine so was a non-issue.

Either way I hope your HG stays manageable, I truly feel for anyone who suffers, just regular morning sickness/nausea has me on my knees.

OPTIMUMMY · 25/02/2021 16:01

With my second child I had the flu vaccine and literally weeks later still caught the flu- the gp said I was lucky that the vaccine would have protected me against the worst type of flu, but I didn’t feel lucky. My experience of flu was absolutely horrific, I was ill for weeks and not back to normal until about 6 weeks later. I felt like I was dying at the time, couldn’t sleep, even started hallucinating from lack
of sleep. I just constantly felt awful and was utterly depressed with it. So for me I’d get the vaccine as I’d do whatever I could to avoid getting flu again. However I haven’t had HG so I don’t know how bad that is to compare it. The vaccine is different every year so could it be that this one might not cause such a reaction for you? Then there’s your own risk- I think that you might have less chance catching flu at the moment because people are wearing masks, washing their hands and not going out as much as well as us starting to come out of flu season. I guess you have to weigh up between what you think is most likely to happen and which would be worse for you. Hopefully you end up without either!

showmorekindness · 25/02/2021 17:48

I had my booking appointment last week and was told flu vaccine isn't offered at this time of year because we're at the end of flu season. I'm sure that wouldn't stop you being able to get it at Boots or maybe even your GP if you want it but may put your mind at rest that it's not necessarily recommended in pregnancy for this time of year.

UnCoffreDor · 25/02/2021 18:33

OP, no need for the anti vax disclaimer. There's no shame to be critical of all these vaccinations they want us/our kids to have. If anything, it's wise to be selective on this very issue.
Since you seemed to have had a bad reaction to this vaccine last time, and considering it's almost the end of the flu season, would it be worth it to give it miss this year?

PurBal · 25/02/2021 18:47

I didn't have it. Midwife agreed it was a waste of time at this point in the season.

Moominmiss · 25/02/2021 18:55

It’s strange that so many are saying their midwives didn’t recommend it this time of year.

I’ve literally just had my booking appointment (9+4) and my midwife wanted me to book in for the flu jab on my way out.
As it happened I couldn’t as there was a huge queue and I couldn’t wait around. But I was planning on phoning and getting booked in.

This makes me wonder whether I should bother though.

cptartapp · 25/02/2021 19:00

Flu vaccine should be available/offered until the end of March.
We find most women still have it, but it's true there's very little flu around this year.
Practice nurse.

Pregnantmama06 · 26/02/2021 07:30

Literally just had mine yesterday and reading this I'm almost regretting it. It sounds like a few of you were advised it wasn't necessary/almost end of the season. Nothing like that was said to me, I was also told to make an appointment on my way out after the first booking appointment.

One thing to maybe consider though is that these vaccines are also to protect baby once they are born I think? Mine will be here in September so hopefully that will give them protection for their first winter?

bluemagicalsky · 26/02/2021 08:30

I had my flu jab on Monday after my midwife recommended it. I too wondered if it was necessary. I had it anyway as I know it would have played on my mind if I went against medical advice. No side effects apart from an achey arm. I was sick that same evening having not been sick for a few days but I put this down as first trimester. However, I don't have HG. Sickness/nausea has got me so down, so I can't imagine what you're going through. Whatever you decide is the right decision for you

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