H1N1 vaccination

[Michelle_Shawn]

Hi Everyone - I havent been on in really long time but I really just wanted to share my story with making my decision about getting vaccinated. I am 23 weeks pregnant and my doctors have been strongly recommending the H1N1 vaccine. I was very hesitant, actually almost certain I was not going to get it. I can count the amount of times I had to take tylenol now you want me to put this into my body! I also had a lot of misconceptions about the vaccine. I did not know they shot was not a live virus, etc. I kept saying, I am healthy, even if i did get the flu I will be okay. Well my cousin had a c-section on Monday Oct. 26th. She contracted the swine flu in the hospital and is now in ICU fighting for her life. She has ARDS, which results in death with 50% of swine flu patients despite being in ICU and receiving critical care. Now she has a child that may lose her mother. It breaks my heart but has definitely opened my eyes. I am getting my shot on Wednesday. i know its a difficult and personal decision i just wanted to share my situation in case it helps anyone else.

[akl_cdl]

Goodness this is terrible!  It makes me cry thinking about all of these preganant women who have passed due to complications of this terrible virus.  I pray your cousin pulls through and I pray for your family in this tough time.  It is so heartbreaking knowing some pregnant women who catch this may not live to see their babies.
In mid October I was frantically searching for somewhere to get a vaccine.  I finally was able to get it last Wednesday at 35 weeks pregnant and DH got it Friday.  I feel like I have done the best I can to protect me and my baby.  

*Keep us updated on the status of your cousin.

[sweetangel7]

what a heart breaking story....I just saw something about ards on the doctors tv show too!  hopefully she is getting the care she needs...hugs and prayers!

[Limonada]

I'm also really sorry to hear about your cousin - she (and the whole family, especially her little baby, will be in my prayers.

I got my H1N1 vaccine at my GP's office on Friday.  Since then, availability has been drastically reduced and we have to wait another 7-10 days to see if we can get DS (age 3) in for his.  I was top priority in the family, being 29 weeks pregnant.

I was on the fence about the whole thing, thought the media was blowing it all out of proportion, until I really started to pay attention and think about it.  I feel like I owe it to my unborn baby to protect us both....not to mention to DH and DS.

[Quinns momma]

I am so sorry to hear about your cousin. I really hope she is able to pull through this. I am 26 weeks preg and really want to get the H1N1 vaccine. However our local health dept ran out of it in a matter of hours and my OB office is not getting any in. My daughter is getting her vaccine tomorrow at her peds office. At least she will get some protection.