Flu shot?

[Conchobhar]

I apologize if this has already been addressed. My midwife is starting to "highly recommend" a flu vaccine for me. I've only caught the flu once in my life and I'm wondering if I really need to be vaccinated. I know it's dangerous if your unborn child gets the bug, but then I hear the horror stories about people who get sick from the shot, which seems detrimental to me. I'm also seeing stats that there's only a 30% chance that you'll come in contact with the strain of flu that you've been vaccinated for and could end up sick with another strain (after getting sick from the shot? That's real appealing). So again, your kid gets it anyway? I'm trying to do what's best for my child, it's not that I'm scared of getting sick...

I trust you girls...the girls on the other pregnancy forum I belong to are too much the mainstream lemmings for health advice. What should I consider before I make my decision with my midwife?

[dearmama22]

I asked this question a while ago.. not sure under which section though.

FOr me, I got 50/50 with the yes/ no responses. Some say do it, others say dont... which isn't much help!!

I haven't talked to my doc yet, but I will most likely NOT be getting it. I don't feel like I NEED to. I have never got it before. Id on't feel like the flu is dealthy or anything. If I get it.. I will get better! Simple as that in my opinon.

[nuwavemomma]

I'm getting the push to do it as well. I don't think I will though.

[nalusj]

Well, I got the shot. My midwife strongly suggested it. I did not get sick afterwards and felt no symptoms. I am a high school teacher and am around all sorts of "stuff" on a daily basis. I felt like it was the right choice for me. Just my 2 cents.

[ilovebabies]

We don't vaccinate at all and I refused the flu shot. The risk isn't worth it to me.

[javilu]

This has been addressed before, both here and on the main "I'm Pregnant" board.

I think the general agreement (if you could call it that) was that many feel it's not necessary for a pregnant woman with no other risk factors to get the flu shot. As a woman who *does* have other risk factors (asthma, which has been made worse by pregnancy), I *will* be getting the flu shot. The risk is well worth it for me. For some, the flu is a discomfort or inconvenience. For me, given my respiratory issues, it is far more than just a few days of feeling crappy. With my asthma, the flu, while bearable on its own, could lead (and has in the past led) to weeks or months of not being able to breathe properly (which is dangerous for me and for baby).

I should also add that my state requires that pregnant women be given a flu shot with no/trace mercury. I don't think all states have this requirement.

It really is something you need to evaluate for yourself given your own circumstances.

[2goingon2]

My doctor recommended it and he's fairly conservative. I got mine today. Eight years ago I got the flu and have never been so sick. My daughter who is an asthmatic did not get it that year because she had received the flu shot. It's a crap shoot really and this time around I trust my doctor's judgment. My arm is sore though!

[veghead04]

I didn't see the point. It's difficult to get "the flu" as opposed to a cold which most people call the flu. Then you've got to catch one of the strains the shot covers for it to be useful. Plus, there's the mercury issue.

I took a pass, and will for my child in the future.

[hippiemommaof4]

I had the flu while preg with my second and it was really bad my husband was in afghanistan and I was alone but my dad helped well not much but for a day. I also have caught every illness going around lately my immune system is really low from the blood thinners I am on so I may get one but its undecided still.

[G&B'sMama]

I'm not getting the flu shot because it contains mercury. I don't want to expose my unborn baby to any more mercury than necessary.

That combined with the fact that the vaccine itself is a best guess at which strains of the flu virus will be out there- but often the guess is completely wrong- makes the risks outweigh the benefits for me.

I am not completely against vaccines. But I look at each and weigh the benefits and risks. For myself I wouldn't get one.

Instead I try to keep myself (and my family) as healthy as possible by eating right, getting sleep, keeping hands washed, and taking supplements (many of those I can't take while pregnant, however).

[amybird]

G&B'smama said it well.

My midwife, who is part of an OB practice and would perhaps be considered a "medwife" by some, brought up the flu shot on my last visit. She mentioned it in the context that the CDC recommends all pregnant women get it. Trying to keep the tone light, I asked if it would hurt her feelings if I declined the shot. She said not at all, then moved on to other things. No pressure, no discussion, end of story.

It's a matter of accepting that there are risks and benefits no matter what you do. As PPs said, each of us must evaluate our own situation to make the best decision for ourselves.

[annettemarie]

Moving to the vaccination forum.

[kiara7]

I wouldn't get one. I was pregnant last year during the whole fall and winter (and spring) and was fine. However, 3 years ago I got a flu shot (don't know what possessed me), developed all sorts of weird symptoms and a few months later was diagnosed with MS.

Anyhow, this push for pregnant women to get the flu shot is a bit weird nowadays ($$$) considering the fact that just a few years back flu shot was CONTRADICTED for pregnant women.

You're pregnant, you're taking care of your health, taking vitamins and eating well I'm sure - so imo you'll be fine.

[Deborah]

I'm not going to cite the science, just recite what I've read here and there:

the concern about flu in pregnancy is an increased chance of schizophrenia in the offspring.

the problem with giving the shot is that it may not require getting full fledged influenza to increase the chance of schizophrenia. Some of the research seems to indicate that it is the mother's immune response and NOT the actual illness causing the outcome. If the flu shot causes an immune response, which it is supposed to do, it could cause the same outcome as getting the flu.

The effects of flu vaccine during pregnancy haven't been properly tested. I looked into the research and there is one study from the 60s or 70s that looked at several thousand pregnant women and their babies after the women were vaccinated with the flu vax. This would be a great study, but the researchers were only looking for cancer.

It is comforting to know that your baby is not in increased danger of cancer due to an influenza vaccine during pregnancy. All other outcomes are unknown at this point. Or at least unresearched.

[filiadeluna]

No way. My midwife hasn't even brought it up, an I doubt she will. If she does, I will refuse. It is not something I feel at risk for. I have asthma, too, but I don't quite understand how the flu could make it worse?

[Emmeline II]

I did not get the flu shot with either of my pregnancies. The flu shot is a crap shoot in any given year so you are taking the risk of the shot with little chance it will actually keep you from getting the flu. In addition, the shot temporarily weakens the immune system which is already weakened by pregnancy and leave you vulnerable.

[japonica]

the concern about flu in pregnancy is an increased chance of schizophrenia in the offspring.

the problem with giving the shot is that it may not require getting full fledged influenza to increase the chance of schizophrenia. Some of the research seems to indicate that it is the mother's immune response and NOT the actual illness causing the outcome. If the flu shot causes an immune response, which it is supposed to do, it could cause the same outcome as getting the flu.

Deborah, you're right on the money. I recall reading a two page piece about this study linking the immune reaction from the flu/flu shot with schizophrenia in the Sunday section of our newspaper last year. And what stuck with me was the researcher who said (not direct quote), "Knowing what I do, there's no way I'd ever let my wife get a flu shot while pregnant." I was thrilled the scientist came out and said it.

Sad though that OBs keep recommending it...are we going to see an increase in schizophrenia and mental illness decades from now?

[javilu]

Luna,

In the past, I have had the flu (and this was verified by a doctor's swab - people often assume they have the flu when it's just a cold) and it irritated my lungs enough to lead to bronchitis and asthma. I might have especially sensitive/irritable airways, as even a cold (or cold air, or exercise) can trigger wheezing for me (but usually this clears up quickly - however, pregnancy has really exacerbated my asthma and a cold about a month ago led to a flare-up in my asthma that nearly sent me to the hospital).

This isn't from a scientific journal or anything (it's from CNN - I'm too busy to sign on to a VPN for journal access right now), but it explains what I seem to experience, anyway:

"When you have asthma, the air passages in your lungs overreact to various allergens and irritants — including viruses. Rather than fighting the virus, your lungs may secrete substances that promote inflammation. Because airway inflammation is one of the basic characteristics of asthma, this reaction can be bad news. Compounding the problem, viruses can replicate themselves more extensively in lungs affected by asthma than in healthy lungs."

I've already had so much trouble with asthma in this pregnancy, I know my lungs are very susceptible to irritation right now.

The other side to this is that 1/3 of women with asthma see an improvement in their asthma during pregnancy. I'm not in that lucky 1/3 (nor am I in the group whose asthma stays about the same), but hopefully you are!

Of course, it's always good to try to stay healthy in other ways, eat well, rest, and build up your immune system. I plan on doing that, too.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by japonica

Sad though that OBs keep recommending it...are we going to see an increase in schizophrenia and mental illness decades from now?

Haven't we already? Especially in children.

[Pariah]

I did not, and my midwives didn't recommend it. Also -- and of course, this is anecdotal, not a scientific study -- my mom's co-worker got it while she was pregnant, and she got sick soon after and started having a lot of pregnancy complications, ended up having her baby prematurely, and had a lot of postpartum complications. There was no sign of problems before the shot, she was a healthy/natural living type, and everything started soon after getting it.