I was unsure on this one too. I couldn't have the freebie when work offered it because I was in my first trimester, but at my 12w OB appointment she said I should definitely get it because being pregnant I'm in a high risk category. So I'm off today to get it done, but will check with the GP first to see his opinion (going in for other things too). If it's harmful to baby I won't get it done, otherwise I will. I HATE needles and haven't got the flu vac in the past (why go thru the trauma of needles when I get sick anyway), but the thought of getting sick while PG and not being able to take anything is just awful!!
Yep, I'm getting one. Though my GP said there is a wait for the injection to become available at the local pharmacy. Pregnant women are high risk of suffering severe (possibly life threatening) complications of the flu. Sure it is a very small risk, but it is present. To me, this risk is more serious than that posed by any "mercury" (as in Jellybean's post) in the injection.
I just got back from my OB and am, unfortunately, none-the-wiser:
Basically, he will let you get the shot if you want it, but if you don't want it then that is also OK. They don't appear to prescribe it as routine for pregnant women. Hmmmm...
I spoke to his mid-wife as well and in her opinion it was a 50/50 thing. Perhaps it was worthwhile, but perhaps the risks aren't worth taking She said that she personally doesn't think it is worth it, based simply on the fact that it only provides you with protection from last year's flu strains (which is why you still get people saying they got sick even though they had the flu shot) and the strains could be entirely different this year. She did say that if you were to speak to the vaccine manufacturers that they would, no doubt, insist it is safe. So I don't know if that gives anyone any comfort, it certainly doesn't give me any
So I am still in two minds about getting it. DH is seeing our GP next Wednesday and I may pop along and ask him what his opinion is.
Rachel, hopefully you received a more definitive answer at your OB visit.
Just as an aside and quite off topic: the midwife did check with me if everyone living with our baby once it is out i.e. DH, myself and my folks (who will be in Australia for the birth) had got their boosters for whooping cough, chicken pox, rubella etc. She said that if I haven't had mine, I should be getting them with bub when I take him to get his. As for everyone else they should look at getting them now. I was totally unaware that these vaccines only last 12 years...which means we are all very out-of-date with ours. I understand some people are against vaccinations, so I am not prescribing anything by writing this, I just thought that some of you ladies may be interested.
I too work in a hospital - I had the flu vax last year whilst pregnant. No problems with it here - It is really hard to make a decision as there seems to be so much conflicting information. Good luck with your decision making...so much to consider!
Wishing you a wonderful rest of your pregnancy!
A travel doctor recommended booster shots for me before I went to India about four years ago, so I'm covered.
I remember I got the rubella shot at school when I was about 12 or 13 and we were told that we needed it for when we had kids later. But that presumed all girls were going to get knocked up by 24! A bit old-fashioned, even for the 80s.
Hi GTBIAsia, we are also talking about the Flu shot that you can get each Flu season so you wont be covered by your general vaccine boosters for that. Its something you need to decide to get each year.
I will post this evening with my OB's answer - hopefully she can give me a bit of guidance.
Hi Ladies, just got back from my OB who thought Flu shot was a good idea and in her opinion safe. Obviously she is speaking from a "medical model" of care on her assesment of what constitutes safe. She certainly wasnt pushing me to have it though.
So I will talk it over with my DH (via Skype as he is in Canada for work ATM ) and then decide what to do. I am leaning towards getting the shot as the risks of getting the Flu worry me.
This has been a really interesting thread, so thank you to everyone for posting and for researching and getting opinons.
I think you have to weigh up the risks of potential complications of the vaccine and risks of potential complications from the flu. I've only had the flu (as opposed to a bad cold) once, and I can only imagine how much harder it'd have been if I were preg. Having said that, I often get secondary infections (throat, respiratory, ear) from a cold, and I have asthma. If the fluvax can prevent those complications, which would be much more likely with a stronger illness like the flu (which could jeopardise a preg), then I'd have it.
TCM excels in preventing disease. The approach to preventing disease, including airbourne, is to strengthen the defensive chi. This can be done whilst pregnant, before or after. Pregnancy (in TCM terms) is actually a very healthy period of time in a womens life, and if she makes good choices regarding exposure of herself to the elements, physical and emotional stress and sick people, strong pollutants etc, the immune system will have no trouble dealing with seasonal pathogens. Your Dr. of Chinese Medicine can give you a diagnoses of whether or not your defensive qi is strong enough at any given time of year (your history will be taken into account), whether pregnant or not.
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She said that she personally doesn't think it is worth it, based simply on the fact that it only provides you with protection from last year's flu strains (which is why you still get people saying they got sick even though they had the flu shot) and the strains could be entirely different this year. She did say that if you were to speak to the vaccine manufacturers that they would, no doubt, insist it is safe. So I don't know if that gives anyone any comfort, it certainly doesn't give me any 
) and then decide what to do. I am leaning towards getting the shot as the risks of getting the Flu worry me.
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