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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

First pregnancy, flu vaccine

83 replies

Rainbow123456789 · 10/11/2021 16:21

Hi, this is my first time on here….
I’ve recently found out I’m pregnant about 5 weeks now. I’ve been doing a lot of research about anything and everything honestly because I don’t know anything! One of the things that has come up on NHS website but I havnt seen it anywhere else is that pregnant women should have the flu vaccine…
I’ve never once in my life ever been seriously ill, never had the flu. I’ve probably been quite lucky! I get the odd sniffly nose or sore throat…nothing more honestly.
And so I’ve never needed or wanted the flu vaccine. Oh and before you say no I’m definitely not anti vax, I’m just curious if there’s anyone who’s not had it before who then still didn’t get it after they became pregnant and how did they go on.
Please bear in mind, i dont have anyone to ask these things about, it’s my first pregnancy, I’m genuinely looking for both sides of it….kind of what are all of your experiences so it can help me decide what’s best for me going forward
Thank you in advance

OP posts:
Jane0106 · 10/11/2021 16:33

Hi

I'm currently 15 weeks pregnant also FTM. I never usually get the flu vaccine but I will be getting it at my next app.

From what I have read pregnant women have a higher risk of serious illness as a result of getting the flu and can also cause complication for the mum and baby. So vaccine will not only protect you but the baby too!

Congrats on your pregnancy Thanks

Jane0106 · 10/11/2021 16:34

Forgot to add the obvious that there is still a good chance you won't pick the virus up. I guess your immune system is weaker during pregnancy so that's why you more likely too get the flu than if you wasn't pregnant Smile

rathernotshare · 10/11/2021 16:35

I will be having it, never had flu before either! I've noticed since working from home I seem to pick up colds after minimal interaction, my immune systems really dropped. I'm also not covid vaxxed (and don't want it during pregnancy) so I think it's the least I can do!

JuneySunshine · 10/11/2021 16:37

I'm 22 weeks, FTM. Also never had flu or the jab in my life.
Got it at a walk in centre last week. No side effects not even a sore arm- I'd literally forgotten I'd been by the time my partner asked about it later.
There's enough to worry about with COVID etc so I just saw being offered the flu jab as an extra way to stay well over winter.

Snoopy28x · 10/11/2021 16:43

I wont be having the flu jab. I've had it 3 times in my life and each time ended up with bad flu with knocked me out for weeks. The times I havent had the jab.. no flu. So I will let my natural immune system do its thing! But I understand everyone has differing opinions on these things x

Snoopy28x · 10/11/2021 16:44

Forgot to add, I explained this to my midwife. She also said she doesn't have it due to the reaction she has. She didnt see an issue with me not having it x

Furmummy · 10/11/2021 16:45

Hellooo, I used to work in healthcare and avoided the flu jab due to once feeling poorly after it. I came into contact with a nurse who worked on ITU and she explained about how many young people can die of the flu and she has seen many cases in her time. I realised then I didn’t know much about it and the reality is if you do get it it can be very dangerous. I’m first time pregnant too and the midwife recommended we get the jab due to lower immune systems and susceptible to be very poorly if we do get it. Had mine last week, felt fine just arm was a bit achy. X

Fleur405 · 10/11/2021 16:46

I’m the same in that I don’t tend to catch things that are going around (never got measles or mumps and no flu in the 1980s epidemic when everyone I know got it!) but I still got the vaccine when pregnant. I have havfever (pretty bad) and psoriasis (chronic since childhood) both of which are immune system disorders - they both reduced dramatically while I was pregnant (and then came straight back) so pregnancy definitely reduces your immune system and this is why they recommend the flu vaccine. For the most part flu is not serious but it can be in people who are more vulnerable than normal so I decided better just to get it as it’s known to be safe.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

WeCalledTheDogIndiana · 10/11/2021 16:47

You're not anti vaccinations, but want to hear positive stories from people who didn't get a vaccine in order to publicly justify not getting a strongly recommended vaccine?

Sure. Crack right on.

My son nearly died of flu. I have very little time for this kind of shit, tbh

WakeUpLockie · 10/11/2021 16:49

I’m pregnant with baby number 3. Glad to be getting my flu and whooping cough jabs at my 20 weeks scan in a couple of weeks :)
Just like with other illnesses (inc covid) you’re more at risk of becoming seriously ill while you’re pregnant. As an example I’m currently suspecting my little one has Slapped Cheek which usually is not an issue but if you’re pregnant and exposed you need to contact a GP for advise because you’re more at risk.

WakeUpLockie · 10/11/2021 16:50

(I never get ill either by the way, DH had covid March 2020 and I was absolutely fine, stomach bugs etc rarely get me)

Jane0106 · 10/11/2021 16:55

@WakeUpLockie

I’m pregnant with baby number 3. Glad to be getting my flu and whooping cough jabs at my 20 weeks scan in a couple of weeks :) Just like with other illnesses (inc covid) you’re more at risk of becoming seriously ill while you’re pregnant. As an example I’m currently suspecting my little one has Slapped Cheek which usually is not an issue but if you’re pregnant and exposed you need to contact a GP for advise because you’re more at risk.
I am hoping to get both mine done after my 20 week scan. I take it these are done at the same time just in different arms?!
DockOTheBay · 10/11/2021 16:56

I've always had a flu jab and I've never had flu. I don't understand why you wouldn't get it when it could make you and your baby very ill. The fact that you haven't had it before doesn't really mean anything, in fact if anything it means its more important to get the jab as you won't have any prior immunity.

Reduceddutiesboredom · 10/11/2021 16:58

@WeCalledTheDogIndiana

You're not anti vaccinations, but want to hear positive stories from people who didn't get a vaccine in order to publicly justify not getting a strongly recommended vaccine?

Sure. Crack right on.

My son nearly died of flu. I have very little time for this kind of shit, tbh

Aren’t you a ray of sunshine!

OP - I’m due baby1 in two weeks and wouldn’t normally get the flu vaccine. Because of the time of year I’m due it’s the best way to protect baby in the beginning…not sure if my feels would be different if I was due out-with flu season, but I reckon I’d still get it. The flu vaccine has had years of research and known to be safe for pregnancy.

Whatever you choose look after yourself and congratulations!

WakeUpLockie · 10/11/2021 16:59

@Jane0106 I’m not sure actually, my last baby was not during flu season and the other one was 7 years ago so can’t remember 😄

WeCalledTheDogIndiana · 10/11/2021 17:05

Aren’t you a ray of sunshine!

Well no, I wasn't particularly "sunshiny" when my either of my very small children were on a ventilator. Funny that.

I suspect you think my response was a bit harsh to the OP. It's not just that my son nearly died of flu (although you know, he did, so I don't understand people not getting the vaccine). It's also that being (I would guess) at least ten years older than the OP, and having seen people die young of things they didn't really need to, I find it infuriating that people who had had the immense good fortune of never being seriously ill take this as some kind of sign that they never will in fact get ill, rather than treating it as a huge gift and stroke of luck that they might instead try to protect

WeCalledTheDogIndiana · 10/11/2021 17:08

(Also she's almost certainly posted this to air anti-vax lines. It's the faux-naive tone that they like to use)

MarceyMc · 10/11/2021 17:08

It's recommended in pregnancy to protect you and the baby as you're more vulnerable to minor illnesses when you are pregnant so it doesn't really matter if you 'never get ill'. Also the stuff about getting ill afterwards is a myth/coincidental.

lawandgin · 10/11/2021 17:13

Why wouldn't you get it? It's safe for you and for baby and it gives you added protection at a time when your immune system is lower - and that's not even taking into account the fact that all of our immunity is like to be lower to start with following all of the lockdowns. It's irrelevant you've never been seriously ill before - you've never been pregnant before either - there's a first time for everything! I've never had the flu and I've never had the vaccine before, but I had it this year to 1) protect myself and baby, and 2) hopefully avoid burdening the NHS further if I do get sick.

bookish83 · 10/11/2021 17:15

OP please get the flu jab

You are not vaccinated with a live vaccine so do not get the flu from the jab

Flu strains are different each year so just because you havent had it before, doesn't mean that will always be the case. Pregnant women's immune systems are lower. People die from the flu each year.

Sydneyb3 · 10/11/2021 17:31

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GinnyBee · 10/11/2021 17:40

I've had the flu twice as an adult and now get the jab every year as it seriously sucks more than any bad cold could! During pregnancy your immune system is weaker and you're more susceptible to catching it, and if you do it can cause a more serious illness than if you weren't pregnant. Possible complications include miscarriage and stillbirth, so it's not worth the risk!

I've never had any side effects from it.

firstimemamma · 10/11/2021 17:44

My husband is a paramedic. Trust me the flu can be deadly serious in pregnancy. Please, please get the vaccine.

Furmummy · 10/11/2021 17:44

@WeCalledTheDogIndiana
Why go you presume your 10 years older?

Original poster
Rainbow123456789 · 10/11/2021 17:49

Thanks so much to everyone for replying! Thank you especially to those who’ve been civil, whilst sharing their opinions I do appreciate it.
I posted this, asking anyone’s opinion mainly because I didn’t have enough information to make any decision to be honest.
I didn’t want to ask my immediate family and friends, as I wanted a multitude of opinions from different people in different scenarios and how they went on.
I don’t understand why some of you would get almost hostile at a young person looking for genuine advice! If I was stuck in my way and made my decision why on earth would I bother making and account and posting about it?! Im upset that rather than taking the time to explain what happened to you & your family and how that affected your choice, you instead decide to blast me. Your first message was totally rude and unnecessary. However, in one of your following messages, you explained why you felt so strongly about my question. You explained your family & also went on to explain a very good point, about how younger generations havnt had to see atrocities that could have been prevented & honestly, that there is the most convincing thing you’ve said. I don’t know why you couldn’t have said that in the first place without the hostility.

Can I ask another question that I genuinely know nothing about? A lot of you said pregnant women have lower immune systems, does anyone know why? Is it because more of our energy is going towards making the baby so there’s less energy for immunity defence? Sorry, I genuinely want to know & learn about everything that’s going to happen.
I honestly have been researching so much but I guess not that bit yet, it is sounding like majority say do it & so I think I will!

Sorry, can i just point out, a few have said somthing like “I don’t know why you wouldn’t as you’d have a lower immune system” up until -you- all said it, I didn’t know!!! I honestly feel like crying, I’ve posted asking a question because I do not know -anything- about being pregnant , what to expect what to do, i was obviously unsure of my potential choice or I wouldn’t have posted asking for anyone’s opinion.
I have no support at the moment and so came here looking for advice to guide me in the right direction and some of you did that and I can’t thank you enough but some of you blasted me straight away without a moments hesitation.
I don’t mind if you want to tell me that what I was thinking wasn’t right, most of you have probably more experience than me! But please don’t be horrible about it, I don’t know what I’m doing

OP posts:
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