Has anyone taken the H1N1 Vaccination?

[Maxine77]

Has anyone taken or been asked to take the swine flu or H1N1 vaccination? My Ob has strongly advised me to take it after my 16 week. I told him I heard about the side effects of the vaccine eg. rashes, skin allergies etc but he told me that the side effects are minimal compared to the complications of the H1N1 virus to the mother and child. he told me seriously that he has seen the pg women who ended up in the ICU and it scares him that he would rather I take the vaccine with the reported side effects than risk getting H1N1. To those who had it, when did you get your vaccine and did you have any side effects?

[reneemikey]

I got it and I had no side affects and my baby is fine

[sathya102]

i did take flu shot and HIN1 during my 10th week.Luckily no side effects.

[mimosagirl]

Good luck! I'm sure you'll make an informed decision. I think alot of it has to do with trusting your instinct and going with what you are most comfortable with, with this and pregnancy in general.

[Maxine77]

Thank you all for your advice and information.
Mimosagirl - I do get the flu twice a year and I cant remember if I had the flu vaccine. It totally escaped me if I did. But I know when H1N1 started I had taken Redoxon Auto Immune, something which I drank daily all the way to keep my immune system up. But I supposed when you are pg, and I read yuor immune system is suppressed, I am not sure if I am still that strong. So far I have been avoiding crowds but I do have to take the public transport at least twice a week when I send my girl home from childcare (when DH is not free). Other than that I am usually going around by cab or I take DH's car when he is not using it or DH drives.

Gmarble - I did check out the CDC site and it does say its a Class C drug and from what I read on the swine flu forum here - the effects on the baby are not know yet but its recommended to be taken in the 2nd and 3rd trimester.

To be honest ladies, I am very much inclined to take the vaccination. There are still plenty of inconsiderate people out there walking around coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths and noses. There is a small part of me that is still unsure as I am just concerned about the side effects. I am seeing my OB at 17 weeks  on March 9th so I would ask him more questions to allay my fears before I decide.

Thank you ladies!

[peterjl]

I'm a nurse, so I actually got it before I was pregnant.  My OB however is very against getting it while pregnant and had me get all the vaccine info to him, so he could research it.  I had it about 2 wks before conceiving, so I guess he wanted to check into better.  

[ashleighnb]

Im not getting it. I haven't had a flu shot since I was a preteen and the H1N1 just seems fishy to me.

[rebekah385]

I actually got mine done at 7 weeks and the only side effect I had was a sore arm all 3 of my children had it as well with no side effects. I got it done early since my doctor said it is ok during the first trimester and I am exposed to a lot of germs since I have a kindergartener, a child in pre-school and a 2 year old!  i was a little concerned about the side effects as well, but looking at the pregnancy related mortality rates and side effects if i were to get swine flu I thought that the benefits outweighed the potental risk for me. and I was also a little freaked, because a baby in my county had just died from it. also hopefully some of it will help protect the baby when it gets here since it will be under 6 months during flu season next year and unable to be vaccinated. Good luck with whatever you decide, you can only do what you feel is best for you and your baby!

[HeatherLF16]

I wasn't going to get it at all because the thought of it scared me, but I got a terrible cold last week and was very worried about it.  My doctor highly recommended it just because of the reasons you stated.  I guess the most harmful thing would be if it had preservatives, but the one for pregnant women do not.  I got it a week ago today and I am just fine so far.  I was 16 weeks when I got it.  

[gmarble]

I was planning on getting it today.  Did you check out the CDC site for information on the vaccine and pregnant women?  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pregnancy/

[KarenDiane]

My midwife mentioned it at my first appt. She said she strongly reccomends it after the 1st trimester. My next appt. will be my first one during the 2nd trimester so we'll see what she says then. All 3 of my kids had the vaccine without any side effects so I'm not against it.

[mimosagirl]

I'm not taking it. There is too much conflicting information, and they don't know yet how it would affect a baby. My OB asked me too, but they were open to my decision. I don't think they should push it on you, in my humble opinion.

I've flown from Europe-America and back 2x during this preg. and didn't get the swine flu if that makes you feel any better! Are you normally healthy? Do you usually get flu shots?
I don't get flu shots.

I think the risks of the shot could be equal or worse to your chance of getting the swine flu.

Good luck!