In 2009, for reasons not fully understood, pregnant women became very unwell with the H1N1 outbreak, particularly those in the 3rd trimester. I was pregnant at the time and did considerable research before getting the fluvax.
There were many different opinions amonst doctors but the advice from the Centre for Disease control in Australia and worldwide strongly recommended getting it. I contracted swine flu early in my pregnancy, in the height of the outbreak and it was awful, and scary, there were many pregnant women on ventilators in ICU who had respiratory failure after getting the flu. By the time I was in the third trimester the second peak was occurring and I got the vaccine to protect me the following season as well.
I did not take the decision lightly but it has become more generally accepted in the medical fraternity that pregnant women are at particular risk from flu and should be vaccinated. Perhaps your obstetrician will have some literature supporting his recommendation.
It also depends on your risk. if you were working in a high risk area like education, health care or childcare I think your chances of being exposed are greater and therefore it warrants some consideration.
Good luck with your decision and here's to a happy healthy pregnancy
I'm currently considering it, but will probably decide against it. I am a SAHM and DS is not in any form of day care. I am at far less risk of catching it than I was when pregnant with DS.
In relation to the thimerosal content I have read on a number of sources that it's possible to obtain the vaccine without it - if that's a concern maybe look into it.
My OB recommends it, and while I believe it is most likely safe (I had it with DS with no problems) I just feel for me at the moment I would rather put as few things into my body as possible. I guess you just need to look at your own circumstances and what you feel comfortable with.
Please, please get the vaccine. Last year in WA a few pregnant women died along with their babies because they caught the flu. I work in a virus lab attached to a maternity hospital here, and its heartbreaking that something so preventable could kill so many people. Especially Swine flu, which is still the prominant strain of Influenza in Australia. The what could happen if you catch the flu, compared to the tiny, miniscule "maybe" risks are no contest!
I had the vaccine last week! My OB and GP said it was all good (although it's scary seeing all of the OB's saying no, i'm nervous now!) So for me, I decided to do it. I was 20 weeks at the time!
I also work in disability though and unfortunately get exposed to all kinds of germs so thought it would be for the best!
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