Fluvax prior to FET??

[arielle]

Hi
Was hoping for some opinions / help? It's a bit of a tricky one!

We're about to get going with our 4th try for baby #2.
My husband bumped into our specialist the other day, and got chatting. She mentioned to him a couple of times that she would strongly advise I get my fluvax (the one that covers regular flus and swine flu) before our next FET (in approx 2 weeks time). Apparently pregnant women are seemingly more susceptible to swine flu.

I haven't bothered with the fluvax for years now, but when I used to have it done, I would always come down with a pretty yucky cold within a week or so. I am told this is quite common as the immune system is busy making antibodies to the flu vaccine (as it's supposed to), making it easy for a cold to kinda "slip in the back door."

I am just coming good now after a month of having one cold / sinus infection / virus after another, and am not too thrilled about getting sick again. I am worried it may reduce our chances of success.

Does anyone know if having a fluvax this close to an FET is a bad idea?? I am wondering if it could perhaps elevate natural killer cell levels throughout the body and therefore increase likelihood of my body rejecting the embryo.

Any input would be hugely appreciated!
Thanks
Arielle

[oneday86]

Hi i could be wrong but im pretty sure at the start when we were first trying to concieve my DR wanted all my injections up to date, and she told me it was safe to have the flu shot while trying, where as she told me with the rubella shot i would have to wait a month before TTC again. And i also had the swine flu shot just before we started IVF.
Goodluck x





ME 23 & DH 35

[arielle]

Thanks for that oneday86. Best of luck on your IVF journey.
I know that the fluvax is considered safe while TTC'ing (and even when pg, I believe?), but I am just wondering from an immunological perspective if it could possibly reduce our chances of success, by causing increased levels of NK cells (and others)? It is probably something only an immunologist could answer, but I thought I'd put it out there anyways.
Anyone else have any thoughts??

Thanks a bunch
Ari

[timeforafamily]

Arielle,

I had my fluvax shot today and am expecting FET later this week. I had always been hesitant prior as was worried about it interferring with general health but believe that being pregnant and getting the flu would be no fun either. The nurse showed me in her book that it is recommended for women who are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant. I don't think they would have done any comprehensive studies on fertility and the fluvax injection to know if it really reduces pregnancy rates.

I can't answer your question about the NK cell side of things but would be so interested to know if you find anything out. I know that this doesn't sound scientific or anything, but the body seems to separate different systems quite well at times.

Hopefully it's an OK decision I've made. I've heard of others having a really bad flu during all their IVF and still conceiving.

Good luck with transfer no. 4

[Loula]

Yep i would get it prior to doing the FET, i didnt want to get it while i was pg but did as the risks were stressing me out too much. i wish i could have got it before becoming og but was not availibale

GL with the FET x