Flu shot in first trimester

[blessedmammy]

Hi,

Previous pregnancies I've had my flu vaccine but I've been well into my second trimester. Flu seems to be rife at the moment and I'm really anxious about catching it especially having two children at school age. My concern is having the vaccine in the first trimester, I understand the nhs website says that the vaccine is safe to be received at any point in pregnancy but I've also read that it's better to wait until after the first trimester on other websites.

The flu vaccine doesn't have any live virus's but can still cause side effects such as fever etc which concerns me as from what I understand a fever can increase risk of birth defect's. I'm very aware of the possible risk's of developing flu whilst pregnant but cannot ignore the link between waiting until at least 12 weeks pregnant. Anybody else in a similar situation? Did people receive vaccines in first trimester and suffer a high temp afterwards?

The risk of getting actual flu in the first trimester and it causing problems would worry me more.

We found that first-trimester maternal influenza was associated with increased odds of developing any type of birth defects Moreover, newborns were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with neural tube defects or cleft lip or palate.

I had the flu shot in the first trimester. I'm so glad I did as two weeks later I ended up in urgent care and they believed I had the flu. It was awful with paracetamol barely keeping my temperature under control. I'd hate to think how bad it would of been if I hadn't have had the vaccine!

I had my flu vaccine when I was about 5 weeks. I'd booked it before I found out I was pregnant (found out the day before the appointment), but didn't cancel as I knew I'd need one anyway. When I mentioned it to the person giving me the jab he reassured me that there was no harm to the baby, and the midwife later told me the same thing.

I did feel a bit sniffly after few days afterwards, but otherwise no side effects. I had it in October and am so relieved - there's a lot of really nasty flu around and I already feel crap just being pregnant, so flu on top would be loads worse. I felt a bit worse after my Covid jab but would still rather have that than covid+pregnancy and risk being hospitalised. Baby looked healthy at 13 week scan so still think it was the right thing to do.

You would have way worse and longer lasting fevers if you got the actual flu, coupled with possible dehydration, respiratory issues and hospitalisation. So yes the link between fevers and birth defects in the first trimester exist, but much easier to negate the risk by avoiding the actual flu. Did you get a fever from the flu vaccine when you've previously had it? Many people don't. Could choose to take paracetamol for the day you receive the vaccine to negate the risk if its a big worry.

I had the vaccine at about 12-13 weeks. I had a very bad cold and chest infection at 9-11weeks and ended up on antibiotics. So after that didn’t even want to tempt fate with the flu. I caught another bad cold at Christmas and I’m now 24 weeks and it’s been a very hard week. I have a bad cough again just hoping it doesn’t get any worse. I would personally have the vaccine now, January/feb is also prone for the flu too.

I had it in the first trimester in this pregnancy and my last pregnancy as well with no issues. It’s rampant at the moment and it takes a couple of weeks to take affect. I’d get it asap.

The flu shot in the first trimester, is way better than the flu at any time. Just get it done.

I’ve had mine before 12 weeks and 20 week scan found no abnormalities.

I had my flu jab at 6 weeks pregnant and very glad I did. I had no side effects and barely noticed my sore arm. At 13w my husband had flu and I managed to escape unscathed.