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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anyone else been offered a free swine flu jab?

20 replies

RedCardinal · 25/06/2010 20:23

I've booked in for the jab but am still deciding whether to go ahead. I don't usually even get a regular flu jab and there doesn't seem to be a massive amount of media attention about it lately. Should I get the jab or not, my DH mentioned that has the vacine been around long enough to know the effects it may have on the baby, but I'm just not sure. I don't really feel I need it but then should I not be trying to protect my unborn child! What to do, any suggestions or advice?

XXX

OP posts:

Hevster · 25/06/2010 21:23

I am 25 weeks and haven't had one yet, I was offered one at 11 weeks and decided that was too early an I would re think in September, If there starts to be another outbreak then I guess I will go and get it but if all stays quiet I will prob not have it.

notnowbernard · 25/06/2010 21:31

I am 35 weeks and nobody has ever mentioned anything about it to me

I think the risk of getting SF now is low, anyway (being Summer and all)

DomesticG0ddess · 25/06/2010 21:34

I am 23 weeks and was offered it, but have not done it - I thought I would do the same as Hevster, although it does play on my mind a little

goodlifemummy · 25/06/2010 21:55

I have been offered it, am now 14 weeks, but have not taken it up....yet. I guess if it comes back, I'd re-think.

TheHeathenOfSuburbia · 25/06/2010 22:28

I asked my GP when I was about 10 weeks (now 23), she said they weren't seeing any SF about at the minute and had stopped the dedicated SF vaccination clinics; she wasn't exactly pushing to get me done, so I thought OK then, I'll leave it.

But I've just spent the last ~two weeks getting over a simple bloody cold that turned into a chest infection and then a sinus infection, and has left me absolutely exhausted and struggling to look after DD(3). So now I'm a bit less blase about my ability to shake off illness... Luckily am due October, should be before the flu season kicks off again properly. Tough decision though.

ayjayjay · 26/06/2010 08:53

I had the jab at 10 weeks and I'm now 39 + 5 weeks with no problems.

That being said at the time I had the jab swine flu was still at epidemic level. Theres probably much less risk in not having the jab now that swine flu cases have reduced so much.

CuppaTeaJanice · 26/06/2010 08:59

I heard that they're bringing out a triple flu jab this autumn/winter, against swine flu, normal flu and something else. Pregnant women who haven't already had the SF jab will probably be offered it.

Hopefully someone medical will see this thread and explain more.

notso · 26/06/2010 09:07

My Midwife said it's best to have it at 24 weeks+, I am almost certain I've had Swine Flu though so not sure what to decide, I'm 14 weeks now.

Tuschinski · 26/06/2010 09:25

There was a lot of hype about it in December and I was told to get it and I got my daughter done, it was too early in my pregnancy then. It hasn't been mentioned to me since though and any pregnant women I know have had side affects so I'm not getting it.

Biscuitbreaker · 26/06/2010 09:42

Tuschinski - what sort of side effects have your friends experienced?

aichi · 26/06/2010 09:57

I got one done a few weeks ago (now 20weeks) as recommended by my midewife. I also received a letter from NHS warning that all pregnant women are advised to get it done before sept when the next (as they predict) swine flu comes along.(apparently they predict it will be more powerful than last year....)

I had a sore arm for a few days after the jab but nothing major side effect up til now. I wasn't really warned anything that will affect the baby tho. (or asked to sign a consent form etc)

oldmum42 · 26/06/2010 17:10

Swine flu is still circulating here in the uk at low levels, so there is still a risk. In other countries (india for example) where it's flu season, it's really picking up again, and is almost certain to jump in numbers here in the Autumn.

Swine flu is MUCH more dangerous in pregnant verus non pregnant women, the death rate from about 20 weeks to about 6 weeks after birth is 6 times that of the general population.
As well as the danger to the mother, there is a high risk of M/C and still birth of the baby. All flu (real flu, not the common cold) strains are dangerous to the fetus.

If you chose to have the jab, I suggest you have it sooner, rather than later, it takes about 2 weeks to work fully and the risk to you from catching swine flu increase dramatically from around 20weeks pregnant, so have it before then.

Also, if you are BF, the baby will get some protection from you over the flu season, after he/she is born.

And yes, I've had mine.

Original poster

RedCardinal · 26/06/2010 20:08

Brilliant, thanks everyone. I think I will be keeping my appointment. Just so much to take in and consider.

OP posts:

JennyPiccolo · 27/06/2010 10:15

I've had mine, it's sore for a day but otherwise inconsequential. Certainly better than the alternative.

oldmum42 · 27/06/2010 13:36

A sore arm seems to be the rule with this jab - of myself, DH, and 3DS, all had sore arms, for 2 -5 days, starting within about an hour. It's normal for this jab, and just means your immune system is reacting strongly, which is a good thing!

So, expect a sore arm and don't be worried by it.

japhrimel · 27/06/2010 14:15

Some people do also get achey and feel a bit crap for a couple of days, but that's typical with a normal flu jab too. A lot better than real flu!

I had suspected H1N1 last year (they weren't testing at that stage) and I felt awful and was in bed for a week - got over it pretty quick but then I wasn't pregnant then. I know my temp was up for days which would be really dangerous in pregnancy.

If I'm offered it or swine flu seems to be coming back in the autumn, I'm getting the jab in case I had non-H1N1 flu last year. But I'm quite low risk for catching it now as I don't work outside the home and don't have children. If you're using public transport, working in an office or have kids at school or nursery, you're far more likely to get it if it's around so you'd want to have ahd the jab at least 2 weeks before it comes back.

nattiecake · 27/06/2010 22:33

I'd advise you to have it, but I'll warn you, I had mine and was ill afterwards. Didnt even think about being ill when i had it, but had a reaction and was in bed for three days.

Biscuitbreaker · 27/06/2010 23:22

Nattiecake - can I ask - were you pregnant?

If I wasn't I would have it no question, but I am very concerned about effects on the foetus. I work in a school so I know I am at high risk, but am so SO worried about making the 'wrong' choice here and regretting it forever.

Also, my the student midwife who discussed it with me said they would wait till my 3rd trimester. If what oldmum42 is saying about the risks post-20 weeks, why would they do that?

nattiecake · 27/06/2010 23:36

yep i was about 10 weeks i think

i was worried about it affecting the baby, but more worried (probably not founded though!) that if i didnt have it i'd get it and it would affect baba that way anyway!

dont know whether i would have had it if i wasnt high risk though (asthma)

oldmum42 · 28/06/2010 14:40

Biscuitbreaker - Policy is not always dictated by common sense or evidence, sadly!

It is true that it is more dangerous TO THE MOTHER in the 3 trimester, but this risk starts rising earlier than that - around 20 weeks (and even early in pregnancy the risk to the mother is higher than for a non-pregnant woman, but the extra risk is fairly low at that stage).

FOR THE FETUS - the risk is high all the way through pregnancy, and is probably much higher in the earlier weeks (as it is with other flu strains.

I don't know why people are being told get it in the 3rd trimester- BEFORE the 3rd would be more sensible.

I think they say wait till after 12 weeks because the risk of m/c before that time is high, and I would imagine they don't want everyone who has a m/c a few days after having the jab to blame the jab - as this would give the impression that it's not safe.

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