Flu Vac and pregnancy

Hi I am 16 weeks pregnant and went to see the midwifes this week and they are pushing for flu vac's during pregnancy, i have never herd of this before wondering if anyone else is having it or even if there has been studies on these during pregnancy?

I don't usually have them anyway, but definitely wouldnt have any unnecessary "drugs" while pregnant. Unless you have some sort of compromised immune system, I wouldn't.

Because the flu vac is not a live vaccine it has no effect on your bub.

The reason that they push it is because preggie ladies while not being more susceptible to the flu are more likely to have complications if they do catch it.

For what it is worth - I had one when I was pregnant with DD and before I had it I spoke to 4 separate experts on vaccinations and the effects and all recommended having it.

I had it. Last pregnancy I was constantly sick with the flu etc and ended up in hospital because of it which I think would have done much more stress and harm to bub than having the injection (which i didnt have last time). I 100000% trust my doctor though and she wouldnt give me anything that would hurt bub. Also, you are going to be pregnant right through flu season.

I would have it (particularly if the MW says it's safe). I was all it won't happen to me but I ended up with the swine flu in my second tri...what are the chances of that. The swine flu can be devastating,. I am just so lucky I didn't get a temperature high enough to affect my bub but I was sure really scared the whole time I had it.

It's probably one of few vaccines u can have while pregnant. I had one at 8 weeks through work but called the docs to make sure first as I had to keep my pregnancy a secret.. I had no probs with it but everyone is different and can react differently :-)

I would say no but i'm not a vaxx fan... but my reasoning for this would be if you have any family history of egg allergies. it's one of a couple that contain egg proteins and depending of if you think your bub could be in a line for egg allergies i'd avoid it ;)
all the best

My OB strongly recommended I get the flu vac in the second trimester so I'll be getting one soon. A woman's immune system is much more susceptible to bugs while pregnant so a flu shot can certainly help you avoid a nasty dose of the flu.

Okie dokie thanks for your replies seeing the doc tommoz think i might get it sounds more positive than not and i have a little 2yr old constant with the dreaded lurgi lolol

Yep, another that's had it - had mine in the first trimester on advice from my doc, particularly as the risk of complications from a bout of the flu are increased during pregnacy, not to mention getting the flu isn't fun at the best of times....let alone when you can't hit it with any kind of cold/flu tabs.

I've had it three years in a row - two while pg and one while bf. As a pg woman and then a mother of an infant I was considered "high risk" to contract flu so the vax was free. No issues with it. This year is the first year I haven't had it.

I was in the same dilemma last April. My obstetrician recommended it and my GP did't.

My obstetrician told me all about the low immunity and how dangerous could be if you get the flu during pregnancy, however my GP said that doctors should measure the vaccination benefits against the risks for each individual patient. She also said that there has not been enough studies in pregnant women and because all the cases that happened en W.A. last year she will not recommended it at least there were another pandemic like the one in 2009. She also said that swine flu is already in the community and it is like any other flu more, and because I did not have much flu medical history or any other chronic respiratory disease, she said that in my case the risk of having it were higher than the benefits, however she recommended that my husband should get it as he works in the teaching sector.

So I decided to have my vitamins and trust my GP.

a GP recommended it to me but I've opted not to. There have been a lot adverse reactions to the current flu vax in young children, and it is no longer offered to under 5's. Even though repeated information says it is safe for pregnant women, that's not enough reassurance for me. Having said that, I've never had the flu before so think I have strong natural immunity.

i had it at 6 weeks and it's free for pregnant ladies. so far no flu. fingers crossed. i am 14 & 1/2 weeks now and flu season is here.

I had mine at 18 weeks. First time I've had a flu vac, and given I've had almost every other illness during this pregnancy, am grateful not to have to worry about the flu.

My workplace provided free flu shots, so it was quick and easy, and I got advice from my OB beforehand.

I had it this year. The first time I have EVER had the flu shot. My doc strongely recommended it for me though - surrounded by little kids who are constantly bringing home sickness, and my asthma which has been playing up anyway - the flu could potientially cause me a whole heap of problems if I were to catch it whilst pregnant. I am very high risk at the moment.

My immune system is usually pretty dodgy..so when it was mentioned to have it and it was free- I went for it.