Flu shot?

[islandbabies]

Anyone NOT getting the flu shot? We never have but I had my 24 week appointment today and of course my OB told me the horror stories from last flu season of pregnant women on respirators and dying from the swine flu.

We usually supplement with elderberry syrup, etc., but my OB said she couldn't recommend that to me since it isn't FDA regulated and we don't know everything that is in it...Argh...

Anyone been okayed for homeopathics/elderberry syrup/other supplements while pregnant?

[HappyMommy2]

I won't be getting the flu shot ever, especially while pg! I do take emergen-c if I feel the sniffles coming on.

[Simonsez2u]

I am going to get one. A friend of mine had a pregnant friend who did die from H1N1. I'm just not going to risk it.

[Pirogi]

I won't be getting a flu shot. It wasn't that long ago when doctors and pharmacists wouldn't give a flu shot to a woman who was pregnant. And really, if I decide to take a supplement, it is up to me, in conjunction with the advice of my care provider. I don't require anyone's permission to use a homeopathic or herbal supplement.

[islandbabies]

Thanks! It is nice to know I'm not the only one declining the shot.

I certainly recognize I don't need anyone's permission to take a homeopathic/herbal supplement, but with an OB who won't endorse any of them, I was curious of anyone had any advice on ones that their providers have recommended or ok'd.

[AFWife]

I never get the flu shot...and this one has the H1N1 in it already and it's been linked to miscarriage.

[QuestionGal]

will not be getting the flu shot here either.

[annablue]

I've never gotten the flu shot. I don't plan on it this year, either.

[mamas2atti]

I've had a flu shot once in my life and it's the only year I ever had the flu. Never again. No way.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by Pirogi

I won't be getting a flu shot. It wasn't that long ago when doctors and pharmacists wouldn't give a flu shot to a woman who was pregnant.

It was less than 3 years ago, because I had to get special permission and sign a waiver when I got it at work. The OB told me to get it, the people administering the shot said they don't normally give the shot to pregnant women and it's not recommended. Then they gave me all sorts of warnings and things to look out for as side effects.

And the year I got the flu shot, I was sick almost all winter. I don't usually get sick. I have had the flu twice in 39 years.

[Aleka333]

I've never had one & I won't this year either. there's egg product in it and I'm vegan, so it's a no-go for me.

[WifeofAnt]

DDCC -Since only 15% of influenza-like illnesses are even a strain of influenza (most are upper respiratory infections, stomach bugs, ect) and even fewer are a strain that even a well-matched vaccine would cover, no. It *might* prevent me from getting a specific strain of the flu but its not going to keep me from getting sick with the million of other things that would make me just as miserable.

[SumnerRain]

Nope, I refuse them for my kids and I and I will refuse it this year as well.

[boogiemonster]

Originally Posted by WifeofAnt

DDCC -Since only 15% of influenza-like illnesses are even a strain of influenza (most are upper respiratory infections, stomach bugs, ect) and even fewer are a strain that even a well-matched vaccine would cover, no. It *might* prevent me from getting a specific strain of the flu but its not going to keep me from getting sick with the million of other things that would make me just as miserable.

This.

And honestly, the thought of taking my two year-old to a clinic and waiting in line for hours just seems like a nightmare. She's hard enough to take to the shoe store.

[soccerchic21]

I have never and will never get a flu shot for me or my children. My DH can make his own decision but he said the only time he got a flu shot he got full blown flu. I am not anti-vaccinating at all either both of my children are vaccinated.

I think I have gotten the flu 3 times in my entire life and none of us got sick last year when swine flu went around.

I just make sure we take supplements to bump up our immune system, disinfect the door handles and make sure kids purell and wash their hands when they come home from school.

[HippieMamaBE]

Not getting it either. I've never really had my MW push it on me either, so I'm not worried about it. My kids don't get them, and I've never had one, so not this year either.

[venusthrow]

I will probably get it this year although I am wary of the h1n1 part. I get them every year because I seem very susceptible to the flu because in all honesty I don't get enough sleep and that seems to be the thing that pushes me over the edge. And add in 3rd trimester pregnancy, I am so going to get sick. Flu shots do help me or seem too IDK but I have to do some more research on the h1n1 part

[gemasita]

I've gotten them the last few years because I'm a doula so I work with pregnant women and newborn babies on a daily basis. Not sure what I'm going to do this year. I've never had a problem with the shot and never gotten the flu during a year that I had the shot. We'll have to see what the midwife says...

[NaturalMama311]

No flu shots here for me, DH or DD. I had one once and had a bad alleric reaction so I won't ever get one again, and I certainly won't take the chance with DD.

[Mrs.Music]

We've decided against it this year. I've been getting them the past few years because I had preemies and I figured it was best to endure a little bit of poison and avoid a life-threatening illness, kwim? But this year, everyone is big and healthy and I'd rather not inject that sort of stuff into my pregnant body.