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

Original poster

Flu & Covid Jabs

53 replies

Laurenb03 · 18/10/2023 14:43

I'm 6w 3d's my doctor has offered me the flu and covid jab while getting my midwife referral, should I go for it?
I'm torn as to weather to go for it or not?
What's everyone's opinion x

OP posts:
Toda11 · 18/10/2023 14:50

Laurenb03 · 18/10/2023 14:43

I'm 6w 3d's my doctor has offered me the flu and covid jab while getting my midwife referral, should I go for it?
I'm torn as to weather to go for it or not?
What's everyone's opinion x

This came up at my booking appointment earlier today and I’m going for flu jab and unsure about covid but leaning towards not

Emsxox · 18/10/2023 16:53

I’ve had my flu jab, haven’t been offered covid jab but will likely not have it until after I’ve had the baby x

Cowlover89 · 18/10/2023 16:54

Getting flu jab. Said no to covid one

GB91 · 18/10/2023 17:13

I am going to get both. I'm currently unwell with a cold, 4th day in bed and struggling so I don't want to imagine if I caught something stronger what it would be like. I don't remember being so sick with a cold for a long time! There's so much sickness going around now I just want to have as much protection as possible. Do what you feel is right for you x

jadey1991 · 18/10/2023 17:17

32 weeks today and I've been offered them both several occasions.. I've declined them all.

Whataretheodds · 18/10/2023 17:17

I had my Covid jab this morning (I'm 25w).

It's not a live vaccine, millions of pregnant women have had it safely and successfully and the impact of Covid in 3rd trimester is not something I want to test out...

Booked in for flu next week.

AlltheFs · 18/10/2023 17:21

I cannot believe this is even a question. Have you seen newborns with flu? It’s absolutely terrifying.

Why would anyone want to risk their child getting that or Covid? Absolutely mind boggling. Your first job as a parent is to do everything in your power to protect them.

sundaefunday · 18/10/2023 17:25

Strongly recommend getting these. The potential alternative is getting seriously ill during your pregnancy and being pumped full of all sorts of drugs.

I had both in my pregnancy, felt fine, baby is perfect.

Cowlover89 · 18/10/2023 19:51

AlltheFs · 18/10/2023 17:21

I cannot believe this is even a question. Have you seen newborns with flu? It’s absolutely terrifying.

Why would anyone want to risk their child getting that or Covid? Absolutely mind boggling. Your first job as a parent is to do everything in your power to protect them.

I've had the first 2 covid. I'd just rather not have any more.

FirstTim3Mummy · 18/10/2023 19:58

I had my COVID last week at 7 weeks
I'm leaving it a while before getting flu jab as per the advice of the pharmacist who said it's easier for body to process i.e. less side effects
COVID jab arm hurt for about 4 days but that's about it

I caught COVID in one of my other pregnancies when I was around 6-7 weeks and subsequently had a miscarriage so I've sorted it this time as soon as possible to avoid a repeat

RoseAndRose · 18/10/2023 20:01

Emsxox · 18/10/2023 16:53

I’ve had my flu jab, haven’t been offered covid jab but will likely not have it until after I’ve had the baby x

Unless you are eligible by pre-existing medical condition, then you won't be eligible after you've had the baby (in theory you could be occupationally qualified (NHS/care) but you won't be attending a workplace so the need falls away.

WAC1 · 18/10/2023 20:15

The MBRACE report just came out and between 2019-2021 33 pregnant women died of covid in that time. Pregnant women are 8x more likely to die with covid than those who are not pregnant.

I had whooping cough vaccine at 17 weeks and covid and flu at 19 weeks.

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 18/10/2023 20:31

I have had my whooping cough and flu vaccines. I declined the covid as the other covid vaccines made me really unwell and my husband was away travelling for work, seemed silly to risk being unwell alone and heavily pregnant. I also have had lots of antenatal haemorrhages and knew if it made me ill and I had more I'd wonder if it was that.

Had the first 3 not made me so ill, I'd have had the covid vaccine. I always have the flu vaccine for other reasons and never had a problem so I booked in as soon as I could.

Bims2019 · 18/10/2023 21:25

I'm 29 weeks and had my flu vaccine a few weeks ago, the covid one is booked for later this week. NHS guidance is for pregnant women to be vaccinated for both, I wouldn't want to risk the serious complications of catching either of them.

AlltheFs · 18/10/2023 21:32

Cowlover89 · 18/10/2023 19:51

I've had the first 2 covid. I'd just rather not have any more.

Show quote history

Well as long as you are alright, sod your baby.

You do realise the reason they want to vaccinate you now is so your baby has the protection when born!

TheScientists · 18/10/2023 21:39

@Laurenb03 can you say why you feel torn and then maybe someone will be able to reassure you or give you better advice?

bracemyselfagain · 18/10/2023 21:39

My first pregnancy I had Flu & Whooping Vaccines but declined the COVID - ended up testing positive when my baby was 3w old (just given birth & felt truly awful & needed a lot of extra help from DP); also, my baby got poorly (not COVID but another virus) ... she ended up an inpatient in hospital but I wasn't allowed in because I had COVID! To say I was heartbroken would be an absolute understatement!!

I'm booked in for my COVID this Fri as I'm currently pregnant with my 2nd.

Cowlover89 · 18/10/2023 21:43

AlltheFs · 18/10/2023 21:32

Well as long as you are alright, sod your baby.

You do realise the reason they want to vaccinate you now is so your baby has the protection when born!

Show quote history

It's my choice and I'm sticking by it. I prefer not to have it.

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 18/10/2023 21:50

The main reasons they vaccinate for covid in pregnancy (aside from more severe maternal disease including deaths - 33 out of 241 maternal deaths since start of pandemic are from covid) are:

  • the effects of high fever (can affect foetus)
  • the effects of low blood oxygenation (pregnancy loss, premature birth, various adverse effects on foetus)
  • damage the placenta, as covid has extensive cardio-vascular effects and this can cause placental insufficiency or failure

It's not just a cold, and the cardiovascular effects mean it's not just flu either

Blueskiesforecast · 18/10/2023 21:59

Had both as got lots of ‘colds’ last year and risk of infection far greater than vaccine risks and I dont know how my pregnant immune system will react, even though I had mild infections previously.
You could always wait until after first trimester and avoid people until then if you are really worried(although no need). Almost no side effects

from covid vaccine booster , it is much weaker than before.

I cant say the same for whooping cough(arm pain). Just dont go to an aquanatal class after!

WAC1 · 18/10/2023 22:02

I had no arm ache or flu like symptoms with covid or flu vaccine but the whooping cough made my arm hurt for a week! Small price to pay for baby's immunity

AlltheFs · 19/10/2023 00:22

This reply has been deleted

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Alloveragain3 · 19/10/2023 01:39

@AlltheFs What an uncalled for and unkind remark.

I'm personally not getting the COVID vaccine because I'm not convinced it's best for me or my baby. It's relatively new and given the emerging cases of cardiomyopathy in those previously vaccinated, for me the benefits don't necessarily outweigh the risks. That's my informed decision. It might not match up with yours.

DragonFly98 · 19/10/2023 01:51

This reply has been deleted

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Alloveragain3 · 19/10/2023 01:56

*published risks

The issue is that the vaccine is in its infancy and so it's impossible to have a robust set of data yet.

The information available is there for us to make an informed decision. You've made yours but shouldn't berate those who've made a made a different decision to you.

By all means, share the research that convinced you or offer up some solid arguments.

Calling people stupid isn't useful to anyone and won't convince any sceptical readers to go get vaccinated.