Hi! I am currently 14w 3d and live in New York City. My OB has recommended I get the flu vaccine soon but has left it up to me to decide. She said this year's strain is pretty bad and that pregnant women tend to get the worse form of the flu when they get it. I am very undecided because I tend not to like taking vaccines in general and during pregnancy I am being very careful about what I ingest-- especially a drug which has Mercury (all flu vaccines have it!). I do not work and avoid taking public transportation anymore thereby lessening main areas of exposure. As it is my pregnancy so far has not been easy. I have had serious bouts of bleeding and still continue to spot (almost daily). I am still under a "threatened miscarriage" alert so I really do not want to further jeopordize my situation.
I would like to know what you think about this? I do not know where to research this topic either. Any links would be appreciated. What have your experiences been? Any ideas on when is the best time to have it ie, is waiting to get into my 2nd trimestera good idea??Thanks!!
Janet

Janet
Blessed with Kabir Alvaro,
Sara Naila,
& Ishan Camilo
Born 5/22/04 at 34w 2 d

Hi Janet,

I'm almost 25 weeks. I didn't get the flu vaccine this year even though I'm in Texas where it's been going around pretty heavily. I've been on modified bedrest for so long and hardly see anyone so I figured what's the point?

However, everytime I go for a visit at the peri's office I can't help but wonder if I should have got one. Someone is always in there hacking their head off. I usually react by doing something silly like holding my breath as I walk past them.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Best wishes,

julie
___________________________

1st IVF with ICSI - success, BBB triplets

32 weeks, 2 days - February 23, 2004

Truitt Curtis - 3lbs. 15 oz.
Porter Thomas - 3 lbs. 14 oz.
Jonas Taylor - 2 lbs. 8 0z.

I got the shot in my 2nd trimester, it was not recommended until then - as a matter of fact, since I was in a high risk group it was free (not that this really matters). Anyway, we made our decision based on the risk involved to the babies if I did get the flu (during pregnancy as well as post parteum) which my husband and I believed was a more serious health concern than the shot itself. I live in NC where we have had a number of flu related infant deaths.

My DH on the other hand has not received it due to the shortage. We are still hoping it will be available to him since flu season doesn't end until the end of March when our babies will be here - how tragic it will be if he stays healthy throughout my pregnancy then catches the flu while we're all in the hospital, at a doctors visit,etc.

At any rate, there will be risks involved regardless of the decision you make. Be sure to include your husband in the decision making process, he may feel safer if you get it due to his exposure to 'Joe public' and be happy with your choice once decided. You, your husband and your doctor know best what suits your needs.

JenK

I can only share what my doctor told me 7 years ago. He told me to get a flu shot (I'd never had one before). According to him, it was very dangerous for a pregnant women, let alone a women with triplets, to get the flu. You could get the flu, get dehydrated very easily, go into preterm labor, and potentially lose the pregnancy. Obviously, this is a worst case scenario. You can get the flu from the doctor's office, your husband, any visitor, etc.

I got the shot in Oct/Nov and delivered end of January at 35w,2d. I didn't get the flu. Every year since, my entire family gets the shot and I do think it has saved us many times over.

For me, it was worth it!

Sharon
6 year old b/b/b + 10 year old son

I completely agree with Sharon. I think it is a very good idea to get the vaccine if you are past the 1st trimester. The flu causes a high mortality rate amongst pregnant women and it can be prevented. I received the vaccine in October and have not had any flu symptoms nor did I get ill after the vaccine.

Shiloh--Proud Mom to:
BGG born 2/04
B born 7/06

I was pregnant two years ago (wow doesn't feel that long ago) and I was told by a pharmasist that if you don't HAVE to take medication (ie flu shot) then don't. You might want to add handwashing and no kissing on the mouth to your list of don't for your dh as an added percaution. So needless to say I didn't get the flu only a cold just when spring started even with me being on bedrest and at home with only my dh around and once a week visits to the Peri.

Don't worry yourself sick over this, make a choice and feel confident in it. Not sure if you could even get the shot now that there is a shortage anyways since you're not a high risk person (ie CLD or other respiratory issues). Call your OB up again and find out why it's so important to get it and if indeed the vaccine is covering the strain that infecting your state.

Pray about it first and foremost.


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I BELIEVE in miracles - g/g/g- June 2002 @ 30 wks and they are 10!
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I developed a bad cough resulting from the So. Cal. fires and my doctor kept holding off on my flu vaccine until after the shortage was announced. From there I nearly panicked. There are more things to worry about than the flu itself.

My concern was that I did not wish to be susceptible to the flu after having given birth to preemies. I have seen cases where triplets came early and their mothers were barred from them due to fevers, colds, etc. It would be awful to have intensely fragile babies and not get to spend time with them because of having caught the flu. AND, at that point in time, you would be going back and forth to a hospital with every assurance that plenty of illnesses were surrounding you.

But... I remain hopeful that your choice will work out fine for you, and I have remained grateful that I was able to get my flu shot. I wish you the best.

Cat

Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.