Flu vacination during preg? Yes or No??

[Rommy'sMummy]

Hi Ladies,

I am wondering about getting a flu shot this winter or not seeing as I am preg! DH, DS and I always get the flu shot now that DS is here and is a high risk boy.

I have received conflicting advice (no really? ) on this one. GP thinks I should get it, sister who is a nurse and mother of 4 thinks no, DS's cardiologist isnt sure, midwife thinks yes, imunisation nurse who does DS's shots thinks I should get it. I am seeing my OB on Tue and will ask her then.

Another contributing factor is that DH is going to Canada and New York tomorrow for three weeks for work and may bring home yukky overseas flu (not swine as he wont be allowed back into Aus if he has that!).

What do you guys think?? Are any of you thinking of getting it done?

I just dont want anything to harm the baby.

Thanks,

[JLeigh29]

My work did flu shots about six weeks ago and I wasn't allowed to get one as I was in the tww and didn't know whether I was preg or not (turned out not to be). The nurse said no studies have been done on the effects of the vaccine during any stage of pregnancy so said it was best not to, just in case. She said I wouldn't be able to live with myself on the off chance something happened to a bub I may have been carrying.

Hope that helps.

[Ozstar]

My GP said no for pretty much the same reasons as JLeigh29's nurse. My Dr said I would need to speak to an OB about it if I wanted it done as he wouldn't be responsible for a possible bad outcome.

[Jahzara]

I was watching a segment on Kerri-anne a couple of days ago about pregnancy.

They (the doctors) said that there are alot of injections that you cant have while pregnant but the flu shot is one that you CAN have.

HTH

xx

[Life is Good]

Hi Rommy'sMummy

I am in exactly the same boat - I have no idea whether to get the shot ot not. I have also heard / read such conflicting opinions on the topic, I have no idea what to do.

One school of thought maintains that if any part of your pregnancy falls in the flu season you should definitely get it. The reasons are two-fold: it prevents you getting really sick and causing possible issues for bub. Secondly, it actually provides bubs with some immunity for the first 6 months of life. These reasons are quite compelling for me, but I am still so scared.

My issue is that flu vaccines are constantly changing and I don't think any will have been tested over really long periods of time to truly verify their safety in pregnancy. That compounded by the fact that so many doctors won't administer it without an OB appoving it, really concerns me.

I have subscribed to this thread because I am really interested to see what others have to say about it. I have an OB appointment on Tuesday and intend on asking him if it is safe. I will post what he tells me after I see him.

[tk1999]

The Staff Vaccination Nurse at my work has said it is safe... but I am concerned that she just wants 100% take up rate this year

GP (though not my normal one) said that it much like getting the flu during pregnancy so doesn't see why not

Obs said that as this would be my first year getting it he would not recommend it as they have no indication if I have had previous reactions to the vaccination...

I have decided not to have it... as I don't usually have it anyway - I am not much help

[JellyBean]

Hi,
I don't intend to alarm you - but I must inform you with what I know.
The flu vaccine is known to contain thiomersol, a preservative which is made up of 50% Mercury. Mercury is a heavy metal, is toxic to the human body, and certainly not a substance you want to be exposing your unborn child to. We are advised to avoid fish with high mercury content during pregnancy for this reason. High mercury levels found in the brain tissue of children with autism is part of the reason why so many parents, natural medical practitioners and environmental toxicologists have linked autism with mercury in vaccines. The flu vaccine is also known to contain formaldehyde, neomycin and other antibiotics depending on the manufacturer.
Doctors may try to rebuke this information, or claim that the amount of mercury contained in the vaccine is considered safe, but as the flu shot is an optional thing anyway, I would think it definitely wiser to avoid any potential risks whilst you are pregnant and wait until next year.
There are many substances that can enhance your immune function which are 100% natural, safe and do not contain toxic preservatives which may be contraindicated during pregnancy. If you would like to find out more about this - you can speak to Naturopath Jocelyn King (she works at the bellybelly centre on Tuesdays) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Justin Keane (he works at the BellyBelly centre Tues am & Thurs pm).
Unfortunately, natural remedies for the flu, (whilst incredibly ancient, potent, effective and inexpensive) are not promoted by pharmaceutical companies as they cannot be patented, (as they belong to nature) and hence a small group of people are unable to make a very large profit from them. The well promoted flu drug Tamiful is derived from the herb 'Star Anise', which has been used as a natural antiviral drug in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 5000 years. In order to do this, the herb is genetically modified, and has a couple of synthetic chemicals added to it so that it can be patented. However if you mention the herb star anise to a GP or pharmacuetical rep - they will tell you to stay away from it, and that it is ineffective (). I think you get my drift.....
Of course it is your choice at the end of the day, but please- really do your research on this one. All the best in your pregnancy.

X

[Rommy'sMummy]

Thanks JellyBean, that is very useful info to take to the OB on Tue. Interestingly my DH is off to Canada today with a course of Tamiflu in his luggage just in case! I will tell him its originally from Star Anise.

[NaeNae]

I have my flu vaccine every year without fail. In fact it was highly reccommended to me by my Dr and Ob.

For the years I have not had the flu shot I have ended up incredibly sick starting off witht he flu then moving into chest infections, bronchitis, ear infections, sinus problems - the list goes on.

I would rather have it done especially given I work closely with the general public and quite frankly I would not like to catch anything off a customer and get really sick and put my unborn baby at a greater risk.

Last time I got really sick it was pnemonia (sp?) no way could I be treated for that if I was pregnant!

[leckert]

My obs and GP (2 different people) said that it was fine to have it in the 2nd trimester. I just managed to get it in the 2nd tri - as was nearly in 3rd tri by the time I had it. So I had mine done as I usually have it (I'd rather not have to take time off school as it's too hard to write relief lessons for secondary school.) I've already had a bit of a nasty cold this season (early) and didn't fancy getting an actual case of flu to go with it.

[Neptune]

I work in a hospital environment and was worried about this - I spoke to the midwives, Mothersafe, my GP, the infection control clinical nurse consultant - basically they all emphatically stated that the flu shot was recommended for pregnant women, mainly because it is safe, but secondly becasue it is quite dangerous for the baby if you get the full-on flu.

so I got it - but now terrified after reading jelly beans post