FLU Shot while pregnant??

[momof2and2]

Some friends of mine suggested I get the flu shot this year. They said it will help protect the babies when they're born. Infants can't get the flu shot until they are 6 months. I've never gotten the flu shot. I've always felt uncomfortable about putting germs into my body and what if I were to have a negative reaction. But they had a point that it would help protect the babies. I don't know how I feel about this. What do you think???

[Twins2003]

I got one while I was 7 months pregnant. Now, I don't know if it was a direct result of the flu shot, but I never got sick that winter so I would recommend it. :)

[Riley'sMom]

Please see post "Flu Shots" on the Twins First Year thread. I just posted a bunch of info on it there.

Pregnant women fall into the "at risk" category. Even if you weren't pregnant, I would recommend it to you.
I had one last year on Halloween when I was five months pregnant.
When I would go in for my NST visits, there were always at least four or five pregnant women in the ER who had the flu and had become dehydrated and therefore put the pregnancy at risk. They had to be admitted and IV'd to become rehydrated and to monitor the pregnancy. It's just one more safeguard you can take for you and your babies.
Smiles -

[Angel123]

I just read somewhere, can't remember where now, that it is recommended that all pregnant women get the flu shot, no matter what trimester you are in. I think, someone correct me if I am wrong, that before it was only recommended that you get it if you were gonna be in your 2nd or 3rd trimester when flu season comes. Also, they are not injecting the flu into your system. It is attenuated, meaning a weakened virus, you do not get the flu from the flu shot, you may get weakened symptoms though, low grade fever, body aches, etc.


Angel

[tanyabap]

I would deffinetly reccomend getting a flu shot. My OB told me to get one after my first trimester with both of my pregnanices. I worked in heathcare and was around a lot of sick people. You do fall at risk since you are pregnant. Talk to your OB about it. ;)

[DawnC]

I am a nurse, and have been getting flu shots every year since I work around people who are sick & therefore at higher risk. You cannot actually get the flu from the flu shot, because it is NOT a live virus. Like someone else said, you can get a sore arm, and maybe some achiness or even a slight fever, but that doesn't last long. I have never had more than a sore arm for a couple days. I worked for several years at a boarding school, with about 200 teenage boys. The one year we got our flu vaccine late, and less of the kids got it than usual, was a horrible year for the flu. I have read recently that they are definitely recommending flu shots during pregnancy, so unless my OB says not to, I sure plan to get it!

[Riley'sMom]

Just wanted to welcome Dawn to the boards! We are neighbors!
It's nice to see another WA mommy here.
Smiles -

[Liz in SC]

I had to nag and nag my OB to get mine last year, but finally got it in late Oct when I was about 7 month PG. We felt flu shots were particularly important since our twinnies were due in late Nov/early Dec and we have an older child who attends public school and brings home lots of germs! we also had our 8 yo vacinated against the flu.

Read the flu shot thread on the first year board and GET THE SHOTS!

[Pom-Pom]

Actually it is recommended by the CDC:

Who Should Be Vaccinated With the Flu Shot This Season

* Emphasis should be placed on targeting trivalent inactivated vaccine (flu shot) to persons at high risk for complications from influenza including: all children aged 6-23 months, adults aged > 65 years, pregnant women in their second or third trimester during influenza season

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine.htm

I got one and had no problem at all. I am now planning for all of us to get one every year. Who needs the flu?

[momof2and2]

OK...... I guess I'll be standing in line with my older kids as well! Thanks for your input!