H1N1 and pregnancy

[spade22]

It is recommended that pregnant women recieve the H1N1, as well as regular, flu shot during pregnancy.  Here is quote from Dr Enoch Choi on a recent thread regarding this important topic.

"Why does CDC advise pregnant women to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza (flu) vaccine (shot)?

Getting the flu shot is the single best way to protect against the flu. It is important for a pregnant woman to receive both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot. A pregnant woman who gets any type of flu has a greater chance for serious health problems. Compared with people in general who get 2009 H1N1 flu (formerly called “swine flu”), pregnant women with 2009 H1N1 flu are more likely to be admitted to hospitals. Pregnant women are also more likely to have serious illness and death from 2009 H1N1 flu.

When a pregnant woman gets a flu shot, it can protect both her and her baby. Research has found that pregnant women who had a flu shot get sick less often with the flu than do pregnant women who did not get a flu shot.  Babies born to mothers who had a flu shot in pregnancy also get sick with flu less often than do babies whose mothers did not get a flu shot."


Here is a link to the discussion:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_chats/archive/34

[JoyRenee]

It's still a personal decision each person needs to make for themselves and their family, regardless of the agenda of the CDC.

[kephartswife20]

all i know is im very happy with getting the vaccine. i would rather take my chance with it than me and my unborn child die from the swine flu.

[Riot_Queen]

I won't be pregnant during flu season anymore so I ain't gettin it!! wOOt!

[Proud_Papa_of_2]

besides bng pregnant, if ur in the household of an infant under 6 mos. you are in the same high priority group as a pregnant woman.

[chantal21]

I don't understand why so many vaccines are pushed all the time. It's definitely a personal decision and after what my son went through after getting a vaccine, I am more afraid of what's in the vaccine and what it will do to me or my family, than just getting the flu itself. But hey, that's me!

[KellyA74]

Just note that this is the H1N1 SHOT....not the nasal mist, which is a live vaccine.....The SHOT is not live!  We are being forced to get both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine at the hospital that I work at....NY state.....If we do not get them prior to Nov. 30, we will be terminated.  I know this has nothing to do with pregnancy, I just needed to vent at the fact that NY state is going a little overboard (in my opinion anyway).....

[Crystalrt]

I personally think it comes down to a persons own opinion. I have had the H1N1 vaccine as I don't like risks when it comes to pregnancy. Yes some people do have reactions to vaccines but the chance of that would be less than contracting the disease your getting vaccinated for. If that made any sense.

[Crystalrt]

I do think that is stupid because with some religions they don't agree with vaccinations. So if they were to work where u do they would be terminated for having cultural beliefs!!!!
Is that even legal for them to ask that? I'm in Australia so I don't know but I'm sure as hell I would not be letting them tell me what I had to inject in my body!!! Sorry got me a little fired up too...

[AuroraSage]

Ha!

Just to add a bit of a different opinion.. and to back up JoyRenee a bit... I have never gotten a flu shot.  And definitely don't plan on getting one now... or even immunizing my child!  oh boy.  what a subject to be getting in to so early in the morning.  But yes, I do believe that "big pharma" is hyping this all the wrong way... and would never inject something into myself just because someone told me to.

[Victoria01]

I think what it boils down to is a personal decision. Opinions are like a$$ holes, everyone has one. Make the choice YOU are comfortable with for yourself and your family, whether that means getting it or not, it's up to each person and they shouldn't be attacked for their choice. No matter what the difference of opinion is here, we ALL have the same goal, which is to do what we feel is best for ourselves and our loved ones.

[Lance06]

There are two different shots...one has a preservative that they would prefer pregnant women and infants not to get. We dont have the other vaccine here in NY where I am yet, only the one with the preservative...so I am still waiting.

[tiredbuthappy]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#33387620   this story had me in tears

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#33239042  from Today Show on Oct 9, advice for pregnant women about flu

[spade22]

The mission of the CDC is  to:

"Collaborating to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health – through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats."

What people choose to do with  information from the CDC, which is to help people and control disease, is their personal choice .  However, knowledge is power - arm yourself with knowledge so you can make an informed decision.  

Several reasons I have seen/heard for not getting the shot are:
-it will cause severe side effects
-it will cause the flu
-it may result in autism

Side effects from the shot are expected to be like the regular flu shot - soreness, redness at the injection site.  Weigh this against hospitalization and even death if you, or a loved one, contracts the swine flu.

As Kelly pointed out, the shot is NOT made from a live vaccine - you can NOT contract H1N1 from the shot.  Not a chance

Mercury compounds present in some shots do NOT cause autism.  This has been proven over and over again.  That being said, there are mercury-free vaccines available for those that have concerns about this.

[spade22]

MH has a forum pertaining directly to the H1N1 vaccine.  Here is the link if you want to read/participate in some of the discussions taking place:


http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Swine-H1N1-Flu-Vaccine-Debate-Forum/show/438

[durhamjk1]

This is my personal opinion, but no one has shown me any studies on what the H1N1 Vaccine has done to unborn children (not just while in the womb, but 1, 2, 3, 5, years from now).  So I am not risking it - they assure you that YOU will be fine and they tell you that it is made similarly to the regular flu shot - but still it is a risk you have to take and I am not willing to chance it with my unborn child.  As a school teacher I know I am more exposed to the virus than others - but I have had students already have H1N1, so I have already been exposed to it and my body is building immunity as we speak.  I know that if I get sick to go to a physician immediatley and seek care.

[Rosa20]

i will be getting it! I seen my doctor today and he said that i will be the one out of everybody that if i got it i would end up on a resperator! So for me the benefits outweigh the risk! I have two small children at home and he told me not to worry about my baby...he said my baby will be fine and that its best for both of us if i get it! So my opinion i will be getting it but i will not judge others who decide not to get it..thats up to you! Becasue of the way my immune system is i think i would rather get it then die!

[akl_cdl]

My heart goes out to these pregnant women who have passed from complications of the swine flu...It is terrible.  I WILL be getting the H1N1 vaccine as soon as I can.  I am so aggrevated that I haven't had a chance to yet.  I live in Texas and can't find the shot anywhere. Hopefully they will have it soon!  I have researched both sides of the vaccine and my husband and I agree it is better for me to receive the vaccine that chance the swine flu.  I think everyone should do what makes them feel comfortable.  I am due December 2 and don't want to be delivering in a hospital with it floating around either.  I pray for the safety for all of us pregnant mommies!

**Any ladies that live in Texas had the vaccine yet?

[Rosa20]

I think the vaccine is supposed to be avaiable everywhere for anyone in the public  by nov.2.09! You should contact your doc or your health care center and ask them if they will be getting it in texas!

[Proud_Papa_of_2]

Specific studies tell u what happened in the people studied not in u. All you can do is weigh the risks and honestly the numbers point at higher risks with not bng vaccinated.

[luv2bmommy]

Im in Tx and have the same dilemma, that thing cant be found anywhere! i was ready to get in the car and go the minute it was available but ive called EVERYWHERE and most clinics either arent ordering it, period; ran out and won't be ordering more for a while if at all; or don't know, call back later. lol
this includes dr's offices, pharmacies, clinics, everything! So, im holding on, hoping neither my kids or I get it.

[akl_cdl]

I am hoping and praying that me or any of my family do not catch it either. It really upsets me because I have been impatiently waiting on it since they have said it was coming out.  None of my doctors or clinics have even received the shot yet.  They just keep telling me it should be in this week and it changes to the next week.  I know so many other pregnant women in other states who have already received the vaccine.  Gosh I would like to have some immunity to the virus before I go into the hospital to have my baby.  I hope we get it in soon.  Let me know if you do...I don't care if I have to drive 4 hours...lol.

[houseofgirls]

I don't understand all the talk about "big pharma" pushing the vaccine.  In most of the places around I've heard of around here, the H1N1 vaccine will be offered free of charge.  So how is that good for pharmaceutical companies?  Not to mention if less people get sick because they were vaccinated, then less people will be seeking medical/ER care.  I don't understand what the "agenda" is all about.  

[luv2bmommy]

same here! ill keep you updated. we are in the southeast texas area, so you'll probably be in line before me lol

[faye83]

I'm getting the vaccine tomorrow. I don't really want it BUT my coworker ALWAYS gets sick cause of his fiancee, who is a teacher. So if she gets it, he'll get it and if he gets it, I'll get it. I already went through a scare when that dumb**s came to work super sick and then he said he had pneumonia :-/