flu shot?

[mmeriche]

i am having a hard time deciding whether to get a flu shot this year. thankfully, i have never had the flu nor have ever had a flu shot, so the whole idea of getting the vaccine while pregnant makes me pretty apprehensive.

what do you ladies think, and what are you doing this year?

[spiritwolf31]

GET THE FLU SHOT!!! I went to doc today for my 20wk scan and found out that the not feeling so good feeling over last couple weeks is actually a mild version of the flu. Thank goodness mine was not bad BUT it was bad enough to affect me. I found out after having low blood pressure ( 110/46 ), heart palpitations, and really dark urine that I am severely dehydrated. I am to drink lots of propel or gatorade for the potassium and rehydration and if I cannot drink as I should I have to call docs office back in two days and go in to hospital for couple days on IV fluids. I also found out that being dehydrated can make you go into early labor so ladies...GET THE SHOT!!!

[mmeriche]

lilbea, i totally feel you! i am into the whole alternative medicine way and also a supporter of chiropractic care. that is part of why this decision is so tough for me! i can hardly stand the thought of even taking a tylenol, ever, but especially now! i usually go the homeopathic and herbal route.. and of course nothing at all during pregnancy. so having that mindset and thinking about getting a vaccine for something i have never even had makes me a little hesitant. still debating, but as i said in my last post, will probably go ahead and do it. props to you for not letting the scare tactics get to you. :) i am feeling pretty swayed at this point, heart and mind are at odds, but wish there was an alternate option for flu prevention (besides staying home at all times and not coming into contact with anyone! lol). when i hear people coughing or sneezing while out and about i immediately walk the other direction and far far away.. makes my husband laugh :)

[LilBea]

i rarely get sick.. the last time i was sick was about 2 years ago. (since i started treatment with Chiropractic for arthritis in my neck and back....)
i also dont go and see my doctor regularly (only for my pre-natal appointments) and as i know that Chiropractic treatment isn't for everybody, it seems to be doing wonderful things for me.
so my answer is no- i will not be getting a flu shot - i'm just not too sure that vaccines are even needed (i dont want to start a hot topic here.. but that's just my opinion)

:)

[mmeriche]

thank you all very much for your feedback. i want to do what is best for the baby but it scares me that the shot would somehow affect her in a negative way. i am really trying to convince myself that it is worse to not have it done and then potentially ending up horribly ill. my doctor said something about how the baby will be born at the tail end of flu season, and it being a good idea for both my husband and i to get vaccinated now to even further protect her as a newborn.

your comments have definitely helped ease my mind about this decision:) i should just go ahead and do it. i think once i have it done and see that everything is fine i will be so relieved and glad i did it. i will have to ask about the lower mercury and preservative free forms. surely that is what my OB has on hand, but we can never be to careful, right?!

thanks again ;)

[rbohl01]

I went to the OB today and he gave me the flu shot there. He said it was soooo important because  idont want to get sick and have it affect the baby. It was definitely worth it- barely even hurt =)

[cowboyslady88]

I was told it would be best to get the flu shot as our immune systems are not as strong when we are pregnant. I already had mine done last week. I wanted the mist because I hate needles but they told me I needed the shot because it is not the live virus. They gave me a preservative free form of the shot which is supposed to be safer for us when we are PG.

[spiritwolf31]

Well I have already been sick three times in the last month and a half and normally I dont get sick. My doc strongly advised flu shot but I was also told to ask for the one with less or no mercury (if that makes sense) by a friend. I am scheduling mine for next week cuz with my current track rate I am bound to wind up with it if I dont get the shot...lol.

[DPAW]

Well I was scheduled to get one last year however, I miscarried, but my mom's colleagues all antenatal specialists or midwives advised me to get it. We have such few options when we get sick so to me it's the lesser of the evils. Just confirm with yr OBGYN  to satisfy yr concern!!

[kylesMom09]

While I have never gotten a flu shot before I am throwing around the idea of getting it this year just because I am pregnant.  I haven't talked to my OB about it, but I think I am going to ask about it at my next appointment just to get her views on it.  I understand where you're apprehensive because I'm feeling the same way, but to look back at last year at all of the nasty cases that were in my area I would hate to deal with that as well.  I'm interested to see everyone else's thoughts and I'll keep you updated on what I decide.