Quick poll - Pg ladies, how pg are you and will you be having the swine flu jab?

[laurawantsababy]

I am 25 weeks pg with dc2 and very confused.

After another death but with conflicting advice about the jab chosen for the UK what are we to do??

I would love you here everyones choice and thoughts on it to help me out.

Thanks

22 weeks and have decided, on balance will have vacination. am obese and think this and pregnancy each count as risk factors.

Just wanted to comment on the post about the number of people hospitalised with suspected swine flu. The symptoms of suspected sf cover a huge number of illness's, bronchiolitis, tonsilitis, appendicitis, meningitis, viral gastroenteritis, chest infection, croup, etc, etc. All these patients have to be isolated and treated as if they have sf until swab results come back to protect staff and other patients. Yes, it is affecting under 5's more than the usual seasonal flu, but the vast majority get over it in a few days.

The statistics are frightening, but splashing them around everywhere doesn't help anyone. There have been no statistics published to say how many pregnant women have had sf and have made full a recovery with no complications. Take the vaccine, or dont take it. People can only do what they think is right for them. I don't know what I will do but scarey news stories and stats wont be making me jump into a decision one way or the other.

mumandlovingit - I think 6 in 100 is high, after all, less than 6% of the population is pregnant.

I'm 14 weeks and will be having it.

Hello ladies

I just thought you might to see this from the BBC medical correspondent.

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/2009/10/vaccination_gets_the_green_light.html

Read the last bits on pregnant women's concerns particularly - but all of it's useful.

I feel perhaps a little reassured that they are looking at this and re-evaluating?

I am 26 weeks with twins. I also have an underlying health condition (auto-immune).

I have spent the entire morning researching this. And I have decided, on balance, that I too will have the jab, whichever one I'm offered - as I understand most likely pandemrix. Looking at the statistics that I've been able to get (and using DH to help me understand them - he's a much better mathmetician) as I understand it the risk of any complication (GBS, death, social and development problems in the foetuses etc) from the vaccine (either) are still LESS than the risk of SF to either me, or my unborn babies, or the babies when they are newborn. I don't feel 'at ease' about the decision at all. However, these babies are going to be born by section at only 36 weeks at the height of the winter months. I also am a 'high risk' pregnancy and as such am entering hospitals 1-3 times weekly, and as such I think I must be exposing myself more frequently to the likelihood of catching SF. Also I have an older DS at preschool. All those factors combined I think the best decision, with the information I've read this morning, is to have the jab.

You couldn't pay may to take it!

36 weeks and won't be having it. Not enough known about effects on baby yet for me to have it. Same as belgianbun- if it gets to sons nursery- he comes straight out and we lay low.

JasHook - the article is interesting and clear, but what bothers me is that they don't mention that Pandemrix uses Thiomersal as a preservative. I am very uneasy about being injected with Thiomersal because of the health risks assciated with it.

Sorry - Thimerosal.

I'm TTC and have an 'underlying medical condition' (wish they would stop saying that on the news!) so I will be offered the vaccine anyway. I'll have it if I'm not pregnant but prob not if I am. I know that sounds daft but I see it a bit like drinking alcohol, fine for u, not for the baby. I'm not happy that enough is known about the possible risk to unborn children. I would take medical advice though as there may be more of a risk posed by actually catching swine flu.

Unrequitedskink - I know. What we really need is some clear and plain answers on that issue from our own medical authorities. The link posted by sally78 further down on the subject is interesting, though.

Everyone here has the right to raise this issue with their MP individually as well as signing the petition.

I'm actually very pro-vaccination, and that's why I'm so annoyed that this decision is being made so difficult for us. It should be simple: the disease should be incontravertably worse than the risks of the cure! I was actually looking forward to the vaccine becoming availableall summer, because I thought it would stop me worrying so much, but it's ended up adding to my worries instead. No good.

36 weeks and won't be having it.

Have read the last 7 pages and after initially saying no chance, MW saying no chance I'm now erring towards having it as I'm really worried about catching sf. Two years ago I had glandular fever and whooping cough at the same time and honestly thought I was dying at one point.

I've read the fergus walsh article and have a question that I think may not have an answer but I'd thought I'd throw it out there.

I have an auto-immune condition which is made better by pregnancy. If I were to have the Pandemix and it boosts my immune system would it cause a flare of my underlying medical condition?
Would it be worth the pain and extra meds it would need to put it right to protect the baby.

I'm 13wks with my first and its so damn confusing?!?!

I spoke to a friend who's a GP yesterday, and she said that GP's surgeries have been sent a very small number of vaccines each, regardless of size. So if your surgery is large then chances they'll run out of vaccines before they even get to round 2 (pregnant women)- by the time they're ordered, received and we've been called in some of us could be in labour anyway! Can't believe this is true, but it's what she said...

I think we should be given the choice as to which vaccine we should have.

Surely it should be our choice whether we take the chance with the time scales involved with full protection from swine fle with Celvapan (3 weeks) as opposed to immediate protection with Pandemrix.

What worries me is that if Pandemrix does contain mercury, I may have already been exposed to too much mercury from having had Amalgam fillings removed which also contain mercury during this pregnancy. So if only Pandemrix is on offer then I dont fancy taking it, whilst I may be swayed to take Celvapan.

Its all so worrying.

Wonder if we went private we would then be able to choose?!

Been trying to do some research (it gets very confusing!) and this is a very interesting interview with an epidemiologist, all about flu generally and SF in particular. Did you know that there are 200 different viruses that cause influenza-like illness?!

Just stumbled across this recent sky news report (15 oct) 'Mums-To-Be In Swine Flu Jab Controversy' worth a read.......

news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Swine-Flu-Vaccine-Controversy-Concern-Over -Use-Of-Pandremix-By-Pregnant-Mothers/Article/200910215405950?lpos=UKNewsArticleRelatedContentR egion1&lid=ARTICLE15405950SwineFluVaccineControversy%3AConcernOverUseOfPandremixByPregn ant_Mothers

(copy and paste link if it doesnt work)

another interesting read from a German newspaper:

'Government to get special swine flu vaccine'

www.thelocal.de/national/20091018-22649.html

I am 33 weeks and won't be having it.

The GlaxoSmithKline version of the vaccine (Pandremix) with the adjuvent is not being given to expectant mothers in Canada as it is deemed too risky. They are being given the other version without the adjuvent, which in the UK they are only giving to people with egg allergies.

So I'm not taking it.

Canada is also the only country to ban Bisphenol-A in baby bottles...

Here's a good article on the debate and the Canadian decision from the biggest national newspaper there:
www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/vaccine-for-pregnant-women-may-be-de layed/article1326373/

Actually - to correct my own info - you CAN take the adjuvent incl version from GSK in Canada if you are pregnant and want it, but they recommend you wait to take the adjuvent free version because it hasn't been tested enough.

What exactly are the dangers to preg women who catch SF?

• and, obviously, their unborn children

Austria is using Celvapan as well, not pandremix.

www.wienerzeitung.at/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4082&Alias=wzo&cob=443991

Hi waitingwaiting, have only just seen your question you put on here last night.

Pandremix has an adjuvent added which hasnt been tested on pregnant women. Celvapan doesnt contain this and is safer.

I think the risk of swine flu to pregnant is worse then a 'normal' person because our immune systems are reduced during pregnancy.

The risk of complications is also higher. here

I would imagine that when pregnant women suffer complications they are more difficult to treat due to restrictions on drugs we are allowed.