Help! Just had swine flu jag and regreretting it!

[chubbychipmonk]

Hi,

After much deliberating, discussion, research and sleepless nights I decided to get the Swine Flu Vaccine . .the decision was made jointly by myself and my partner although at the time I still had a niggling doubt in the back of my head about whether or not I was doing the right thing.

I thought after having the vaccine I would be able to forget about it but I had the Vaccine 3 days ago now and I ve spent the last 3 days tormenting myself that Ive just seriously damaged my unborn baby (am 35 weeks). I keep reading all the horror stories now and think, what if ive just given my baby autism or ive seriously affected it in some way . . ive convinced myself the baby is moving less often and am basically driving myself mad!!

Am looking from reassurance from other mums to be who had the vaccine that Ive done the right thing coz Im really upset and totally regretting what ive done!

chubby
Having a cousin who was paralysed from the neck down and made blind at the age of 16 after a rubella vaccine.
For this reason, I have done alot of research and been to a few seminars relating to vaccines.

I didn't get any vaccines for my DS until he was 18 months and the cat tried to scratch his eyes out with dirty claws, obviously I went for tetenus (which unfort is 5-1) straight away.
I suppose you can say I am anti-vaccine.

Please, if anyone wants to argue with me over the above, please only argue if your knowledge goes beyond the doctors leaflet or what the papers tell you. Im sick of people jumping down my throat who have never bothered their arse to do any real research.

I personally NEVER give my opinion on vaccines to other mums I know.
I know it is very personal and we mums have enough to worry about. I just assume they have done some research and are comfortable with it.

HOWEVER, going by the research I have done chubby the risks are very small. I don't think there's a right or a wrong here.
You did your research, you made an informed choice and you care about your baby's health clearly.
I won't be getting the vaccine. I don't think my baby is safer than yours - far from it. Swine flu could be just as dangerous. We will not know. It a 50/50 chance either way.
We are all in a horrible situation here with no clear cut answers and have to do what we think is for the best.
Don't worry yourself sick.
You've made your descision as I have.
I've lay awake at night wondering if I'll live with myself if I get SF and it effects my baby but I know i'd lie awake equally if I had the vaccine so I can't win.
We have to move on, enjoy our pregnancy and know that whatever happens we were doing our best for the baby in unknown territory.
We will be sitting here with our healthy babies next year glad this is all over. x

Chubby - I had the vaccine a week ago and went through almost exactly the same process as you - debated long and hard, tried to get Celvepan and failed, cried for two days after getting it. I aired my feelings about it on MN and someone accidentally posted a long anti-vaccine message straight after me -in my fragile state I was devastated. A week on, I have decided that I did the right thing - I know so many people who have had really nasty flu-type illnesses recently - one was almost hospitalised - that I would have been worried about catching it for the rest of the preganancy. I can't hibernate for the next 2 months - I have 2 DSs and a DH who are out and about.

Ignore the scaremongers - I think it's really selfish and thoughtless to post on this thread when there's nothing those of us who have had the jab can do about it anyway. And they won't say anything that you haven't already read and considered before having the jab. I hope that, like me, in a week, you will be able to deal with any unsolicited information without it worrying you further. If there is anything that is worrying you, you should get it checked for your peace of mind - just as you would if you hadn't had the jab.

Thanks MIDNIGHTSUN X

Thanks CHICKBEAN X

chubbychipmonk there is a very long but ultimately informative thread about the pros and cons of the vaccine, you can read it here

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/843873-Quick-poll-Pg-ladies-how-pg-are-you-and-will

It managed to stay pretty intelligent and objective for about 30 pages, without many of the wild claims and mudslinging that the swine flu / vaccine debates occasionally tend towards. There are a lot of links to factual info and people from both sides of the fence analysed and questioned many sources of info.

In your shoes after having the vaccine I probably wouldn't bother ploughing through it, but if you really are worrying and fretting, you may find a good deal of reassurance in the links there.

It may also provide other people reading this thread with an alternative source of information that is balanced and rather less emotive.

In many ways the swine flu vaccine is safer than the 'normal' flu vaccine ,as it only contains one flu ,while the normal one contains three different ones usually . Also i presume you are not immunosuppressed in any way other than pregnancy ? Our bodies are constantly fighting possible infection , we only notice when it doesnt work . Other than the obligatory sore arm ,have you had any other reaction? I too have had the vaccine , i also had a bit of a wobble afterwards re what have i done ,i too convinced myself that the baby was moving alot less ,but then when i actually counted the movements ,i was up to ten in about 3 hours .As others have said ,at this late stage in pregnancy it is highly unlikely to have any detrimental effect.

I am 38 weeks and had the SF jab yesterday after doing a lot of thinking and research around the subject (including the excellent and often informative thread Midnightsun just linked to). I am satisfied that I have made the best decision I can with the information I have and that it is the decision most likely to be beneficial to myself and my family. That is all we can do really. Different people will come to different decisions - as SuziDee said, this is just one of the many things we have to decide about for our dcs (this is my third).

I haven't heard anywhere that the vaccine would cause any change in movement so I think the baby movement is a separate issue. Perhaps as bumpsoon says it would be helpful to record the movements for a while so you can check them out, which is what I would do whether I had just had a vaccine or not.

All the best and well done for actually coming to a decision - it took me a while to overcome the temptation to stick my head in the sand and pretend SF didn't exist! In the end I feel better for applying myself and making a proper decision.

I just want to know which pregnant woman volunteered to be 'tested'? I reckon it might well be safe but have decided against it purely because my baby is due in 6 weeks and my GP said it takes 5 weeks for immunity. Added to this I only have 3 days left of work and honestly dont think Im at risk and dont have any underlying issues.

Besides I read today that this week the cases of SF has gone down by 20,000 so maybe things are getting better.

To me its a personal choice - there is no wrong or right and like some others have said you have to make the decsion based on the info you have at the time.

I just keep thinking the goverment said Thalidomide was safe and look what happened there - truth is no one knows 100% the actual risks in any medication when pregnant.

I have name changed for this post (which I hope has worked!) which I was unsure about posting as I know some MN-ers get pretty angry in their posts, but....

I am a medical research scientist, have been for over 15 years, including my PhD. There have been references in this thread to the infamous MMR-autism link. I want to say that it breaks my heart that one of the worst, and most widely discredited, pieces of research of the last 20 years is still causing fear, worry and concern. It was a discredit to the research community that such a flawed, poorly conducted investigation was ever allowed to be published. I fear the damage to confidence will be long-lasting.

I would emphasise that I am talking about the MMR-autism paper.

I know there are now some people who feel they can not now trust any vaccine. Whatever evidence you base your decisions on, and of course everyone has the right to make that decision, I would hope that the source is not that particular study.

chubby, my dd2 was born at 33+6, came out screaming and was absolutely perfect in every way, just in miniature. all the work you needed to do has been done, your baby is just growing now, please try not to worry.

I had the vaccine this week, although I had originally thought I wouldn't. Compared to other countries, the media (and some of the public) in the UK is practically on the verge of claiming for government conspiracy as if the swine flu jab is meant to kill us all. Needless to say the hysteria about the illness itself is quite shocking too... so I've looked into Scandinavian press/healthcare and found far more appropriate information.

Now the likelihood of catching swine flu may be small but I've understood the more recent cases have been more serious. I really don't fancy the odds of being all bunged up when already am out of breath at times, def don't want to be sick when in labour or go into labour too early and finally the vaccine will protect the baby too for 6 months after birth... the time when they cannot be vaccinated.

You've had your vaccine now, so the debate in your case is now over - time to move on to nicer things...!

I had my swine flu jab last night - and was thoroughly relieved to do so. I think you've made completely the right decision. As advised on other posts, only proper research from reliable sources can be trusted. After consulting the evidence base I decided that I wanted the jab asap. My father is a GP and though initially against the vaccine, after reading the latest research he strongly advised me to have it. One of the most alarming facts is that as a pregnant woman, you are 4 times more likely to develop serious complications from swine flu. Of the pregnant women who have died, they have all been quoted as having an 'underlying medical condition' in the press - this was their pregnancy. My sister is a senior registrar haematologist in a top London hospital, she's already had her jab and also strongly advised me to do so.
I was slightly concerned about getting the vaccine quickly enough as I'm a dentist and exposed to numerous mouths every day - I'm alot happier now I've had it.
As a side note, on a forum for intelligent people and excited mothers to be, there is no place whatsoever for foul language. It seems that sometime those who don't have a valid argument resort to these tactics.

Chubby - I had my vaccination well over 2 weeks ago and I can honestly say that once the decision was made, it was a huge relief.
I am not going to lie and say it wasnt a tough choice, but I spoke to medical professionals, my partner - read as much as I could and made my decision.

I ultimately believe that this is by the far the best decision for me and my family.

Each to their own, but I personally really wouldnt worry. Enjoy the peace and quiet before your LO arrives!

Chubby
You have so made the right decision, i'm 19 weeks and waiting to get letter through to get mine.
I'm sure your baby is fine also please rem that your baby doesn't have much room now so movements may become less , as long as they don't stop altogether.
Relax and enjoy last part of your pregnancy.
Good luck and hope you will post on the joyous news of your baby being born safe and well
xxx

I think you have done the right thing too OP, i hope you can relax a little now knowing you have done your best to protect your baby and family.

I am waiting for my surgery to get their vaccines so i can get mine. I am full of wory that i will catch it before i get the vaccine, especially as DD is coming down with yet another cold today!

Now you have done it, look forward to the last few weeks of your pregnancy. Not long now til you meet your beautiful baby.

I'm no medic but please can we stop comparing this to Thalidomide...because it isn't. Thalidomide was a drug (not a vaccine) given in very, very early preg (for morning sickness) before the fetus had a proper chance to develop, which is why so many of those poor children were born without limbs. Basically they just didn't develop them although mentally they were fine.

The SF vaccine is recommended for women in their 2nd and 3rd trimester when baby is already formed. How many of you have now had 12 or 20 week scans now and seen the full development of your baby...arms, legs, hand, sucking thumbs, fully formed heart chambers etc? Your babies are already developing beautifully so to continue to use the Thalidomide comparison just isn't right.

I have to agree with one of the girls who posted earlier. The whole point of this thread was to reassure someone who has already had the jab and is feeling concerned so let's try and reassure her now that it's done...rather than point her in direction of more articles she can read on the subject. I think the more she reads the more concerned and confused she is going to feel so I'd say 'C-chipmonk' just try and forget about it now (easier said than done I know), enjoy the rest of your preg and know you've done the right thing for you and your baba.

Also swine flu per se isnt a new virus ,just as flu isnt a new virus ,its been around for a while ,so the vaccine isnt brand spanking new either ,simply tweaked to cover the most virulent strain. Does anyone who has the 'normal' flu vaccine think its the same one year after year ? No ,its tweaked every year to cover the most prevelant strains ,they believe will effect the population that year .So the swine flu vaccine isnt really untested in the true sense of the word ,most of the ingrediants have been used in countless other vaccines .

I had to have pandremrix, it's not available yet in my area

celvepan

Brill so at 14 weeks I could have damaged my baby by having swine flu jab so early? Now I'm worried

No because at 14 weeks you are in to your 2 trimester

sheegomeep ignore anyone who says anything questioning the safety of the vaccine now. It's pointless torturing yourself as you've already had it, it's selfish of them and more to the point hugely unfounded to make those claims.

You have responsibly listened to expert advie and protected your own health and that of your baby by vaccinating yourself against a virus that is known to be significantly more dangerous for pregnant women and small babies and toddlers than it is for the population in general.

Try to focus on enjoying your pregnancy.

Sheepgomog -- I am in complete agreement with midnightsun. You made the best decision for you and your child and there is no point in looking back. For what it's worth I have looked extensively at every single additive, every single possible side effect, I've looked at pro and anti websites......what I've concluded is that if I were you I really really woudn't worry. There is nothing in the vaccine that is going to hurt your baby regardless of what stage of pregnancy you took it.

There are always going to be people who bring up old discredited research and it's best to just ignore.

I hope you can relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Hi,

I am 26 weeks pregnant with my first child and my husband is a GP. I left the decision completely in his hands as he knows better. He did all the research and spoke to many of his experienced colleagues and he has advised me to have the vaccine. I am now waiting for my GP to bring it and will definitely have it. The reason in the swine flue complications for a pregnant woman can be far worse than the probability of the risk the vaccine may have.

Hope this helps