Lurker- needs help!

[jinx]

x-posted....

So, I've been lurking here pretty much my whole pregnancy...
I hope you don't mind me jumping in with a question!
I am 37-38 weeks along, and my oldest son (6) was just diagnosed with the flu. Figures!! I decided against the vaccines- I just felt too wary about those, and of course, now I'm regretting that. My doctor recommended a course of Tamiflu as a preventative. My neighbor (an NP at an OB office) says she recommends Tamiflu and since my baby is "cooked" it won't bother her.

So- with all that information... I'm wondering, would you take the Tamiflu to prevent yourself getting the flu?

Thank you for all your help!

Jeannie
DD (8), DS (6), DS (2), Due early March

[HaikuMommy]

I would do it, myself - flu can be really dangerous for pregnant women and I wouldn't want to go into labor being really sick. Baby is "cooked", as you said, so I'd be pretty confident to do the Tamiflu. Good luck!

[equiliberator]

I got the flu when I was pregnant, not as far along as you... I took Tamiflu, got better in 3 days or less, and had no problems or complications; my now 20 month old is ahead of the curve if anything. I know it's different since you'd be taking it as a preventative, but if your child has it you're pretty much bound to get it, and it would be awful to get sick at that point. I say go for it.
-Sarah

[alegna]

No way I'd touch the stuff. Wouldn't give it to my kid either.

-Angela

[dannic]

I wouldn't take it or give it to my kids. I don't agree that baby is close, so nothing will harm.

I'd tank up on vit C, D, b's and mag, relax, lots of rest.

[Kuba'sMama]

It's hard to decide. For me it would depend on how severe your ds' symptoms are. I know I have asthma, so a very severe flu is not what I would want prior to my planned natural birth, especially the H1N1, which is respiratory-based. But I did do the shot for that particular reason. Good luck on your decision, it's a tough one.

[claddaghmom]

I would run away from Tamiflu as fast as I could, even if I weren't pregnant, but especially if I were pregnant.

You are 37-38, which is not full term, and that's assuming there is no margin of error in dating.

http://www.tamiflu.com/sideeffects.aspx

"TAMIFLU is normally not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding while taking TAMIFLU, talk to your doctor before taking TAMIFLU. "