uggg Flu shots....

[Kim Allen]

Anyone already trying to be presuared into a flu shot?? Oh wait its better now because it has the H1N1 vacc as well so its 2 in 1!!!



I said "No thank you" then got the "Horror Stories"

I just dont want to put up with this the whole time lol.

[allical1284]

One of the many reasons why I LOVE my HB midwife!! I'm really enjoying not having to defend every.single.decision this time around.

I used hospital CNM's with my last pregnancy, and they bugged me relentlessly about the flu vax and all of the horrible things that would happen to me and my baby if we didn't get it

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

no not yet, i was never even asked to get one with ds nearly 5 years ago and back then i probably would have done it b/c i wasn't anti-vax nor had i done any research. I haven't had too many issues so far with the ds and medical community about not being up to date on the shots, but when and if they ask i will just say "I don't do flu shots" and leave at that, meaning, i never had a flu shot and never will.

[mamaki]

I didn't have one during my first pregnancy, but I did with my second and had no issues. I am basically forced to have one at my workplace (healthcare). If I don't get one and there's a flu outbreak, I can be put off work with no pay. I simply can't afford to do that because I'm supporting my family on my own, I have a mortgage to pay plus all my other household expenses.

So... I'll probably HAVE to get one this pregnancy, whether I like it or not

[Mackenzie]

It was super fun the year that there was the huge "shortage" and we were "blessed" enough to qualify for shots for the whole family (one child with then under investigation respiratory issues, and an infant). You should have seen the utter shock and confusion when we declined...

[jcregan]

crashing the DDC...

I was offered one at my appointment a couple weeks ago. I had one with DD but I feel like they had me wait until I was further along - or I might be remembering it wrong...

I was not expecting them to offer so it took me by surprise. But she also said something like... " do you want one now or do you get one offered in the workplace". I do get one offered through work free so it was an easy decline atm.

I am not totally anti-vax but I usually don't get a flu shot so I declined for now. I also had H1N1 last year as did my daughter (of course we were "encouraged" to get vaccinated after that anyway - yeah, no thanks).

This being I also believe that flu can be detrimental during pregnancy and very much want to avoid it. So... I will have to actually get myself motivated to make the final decision soon.

[Kim Allen]

Well I will say I had a flu shot with both DS's but now that they have "H1N1 vacc." I am not comfortable doing that now. I dunno I just dont feel like I dont have enough information to be letting that into my body especially being pregnant. Also Its so new and I feel like if there were side affects to this they may not be showing yet KWIM?

Maybe I am just ignorant but this stuff really freaks me out lol.

[Lady Lilya]

My grandmother was born in the spring of 1917. Her mother died the following winter. My father is convinced that she died during the flu epidemic because she was pregnant again and had a depressed immune system. Nobody in the family is left alive who knew the circumstances surrounding her death, and nobody remembers ever being told any details. So it really is all speculation on his part. But to him this is good reason for me to get a flu shot every pregnancy.

[LaurenAnanas]

Originally Posted by mamaki

I didn't have one during my first pregnancy, but I did with my second and had no issues. I am basically forced to have one at my workplace (healthcare). If I don't get one and there's a flu outbreak, I can be put off work with no pay. I simply can't afford to do that because I'm supporting my family on my own, I have a mortgage to pay plus all my other household expenses.

So... I'll probably HAVE to get one this pregnancy, whether I like it or not

You may not have to- the flu shot is Category C, so you may be able to request an exemption on medical grounds. I work in health policy and have done some research in this area, and that is a valid reason for exemption in many settings that require vaccination. But then you still have the outbreak issue, I guess. Good luck!

[MonkeysInk]

I feel really conflicted about this - my HB midwife is very against it and is suggesting that I use some supplements to boost my immune system.

The last two times there were shot shortages and I couldn't get one, I got the flu that then escalated into pneumonia and bronchitis. Last year, I got H1N1 (had a positive test for it) and was literally in bed for more than a week with breathing problems. To complicate matters, I have extremely bad allergies and my main allergy season is at the same time as flu season.

So....my experience is that no shot = very sick. I just don't know what to do...

[Blanca78]

Originally Posted by MonkeysInk

I feel really conflicted about this - my HB midwife is very against it and is suggesting that I use some supplements to boost my immune system.

The last two times there were shot shortages and I couldn't get one, I got the flu that then escalated into pneumonia and bronchitis. Last year, I got H1N1 (had a positive test for it) and was literally in bed for more than a week with breathing problems. To complicate matters, I have extremely bad allergies and my main allergy season is at the same time as flu season.

So....my experience is that no shot = very sick. I just don't know what to do...

Interesting--what did your midwife say about why?
My OB yesterday told me I should get it. I didn't press her on anything, just nodded. I'm putting it off. As far as I can tell she is pretty progressive and I like her a lot, but I need to do more research about what kind of care provider I want.

I worked in (very hectic, germ- and small-child laden) retail for three years and never got the shot. I got the flu twice. Once knocked me out for about five days and once was practically the sickest I've ever been--over a full week of feeling near death. However, I never saw a doctor and recovered on my own. Now I no longer have much exposure to crowds or the outside world, and my immune system is pretty strong, so I'm not seriously worried about flu. However, what DOES worry me is what my doctor said about pregnant women being more susceptible to it, and the complications being more likely and more serious, which is why she wants me to get it. I just don't know. I'd rather not but then what would I think if I did get the flu and it was bad? I'd worry about infection spreading to my baby.

[annie2186]

I wouldn't get a flu shot without doing some serious research first - especially now that they have put the H1N1 shot together with the normal flu shot........ugh

http://preventdisease.com/news/10/09...g_report.shtml

[allical1284]

Originally Posted by annie2186

I wouldn't get a flu shot without doing some serious research first - especially now that they have put the H1N1 shot together with the normal flu shot........ugh

There are so many simple things out there that work amazingly to build and support the immune system during flu season. There is no guarantee that you are safe from the flu if you get the shot; my in-laws prove this nearly every year.

[MnMtm]

I work in healthcare, too, and have made it very clear why I am not getting the flu shot. (not the year, not last year, and not next year, either.) I have told them that if I get flu like symtpoms, I will be sure to call in and not come to work sick. It was especially nice to ba able to put the packet out of our flu shot vial box, and show them where it says that it hasn't been tested for safety in pregnant or breastfeeding women. (I have always been either pregnant, breastfeeding, or briefly both since graudating nursing school.)

Sometimes I do get sick of having to defend my unorthodox opnions, but by now, everyone I work with knows that when I make a decision, I have good reasons and research behind it. They don't even really question me anymore, unless they are genuinely interested. It's actually kind of nice. Other pregnant women I work with will come to me with questions about safety of meds or supplements, or about symptoms they've been having because they know I will have a well-researched answer for them.

[MonkeysInk]

Originally Posted by Blanca78

Interesting--what did your midwife say about why?

She said that they're not tested/proven in pregnant women and there's concern about the thimerosal. I asked about getting a thimerosal-free shot and she suggested that I do some research on my own and make my own decision about it. I don't think she'll judge me or react badly if I choose to get one, and I'm going to continue thinking about it.

[Karamom]

No way in &^&*%& am I getting a flu shot especially while pregnant. I don't have the numbers here in front of me (you can look it up) but last year there was huge number of women who had miscarriages right after receiving the H1N1. Of course this was hardly reported by the controlled mainstream media.

I'm glad I'm using a HB midwife who respects my decisions.

[Lady Lilya]

I saw some article recently saying about 3500 women miscarried from the H1N1 vaccine. I don't recall during what time period. And I don't know how that compares to the rate of miscarriage in the rest of the population.

But anyway, I don't believe it is safe for anyone. I wouldn't give it to my worst enemy. Well, maybe my worst enemy, if I had one.

[MamaMonica]

Moved to Vaccinations per DDC guidelines