Comments | pregnant: Flu shot and pregnancy

jp4life in pregnant

Flu shot and pregnancy

Oct 07, 2010 10:46

I am suppose to get a flu shot soon and am very hesitant about doing so. Does anyone have any advice? I don't know if it is a good idea or not. I am 33w and just trying to do whats best for baby and me.

jp4life.livejournal.com/3755.html (for more info)

Thank you!

flu, vaccination

Comments 52

kinkiness October 7 2010, 16:52:18 UTC

A flu SHOT, yes. It will help protect you from getting the flu NOW and protect you from getting it and passing it on to the baby when he/she arrives. Also, if you breastfeed the baby will get some of that immunity so OTHER people can't give him/her the fly. FluMist is a no-no because it contains a live virus.

kinkiness October 7 2010, 16:52:49 UTC

The fly? Haha. Obviously, I meant FLU. lol. :)

kinkiness October 7 2010, 16:59:52 UTC

So after reading your link, I want to add that there is a flu shot available that is mercury free.

Also, your baby cannot get a flu shot until after he/she is 6 months old and flu season will be over by that time, so that's not something you'd have to worry about this year anyway.

Anyone who comes in close contact or lives with a person who cannot be immunized (ie. a baby under 6 months old) is recommended to be immunized against the flu.

jatrina October 7 2010, 16:55:17 UTC

Just today I saw my ob and she strongly recommended it. Just make sure to get the mercury-free one (they had those at my doctor's office, but I spaced out and left before getting it today. Will get next visit - the assistant laughed when I called back after realizing what I'd done). Apparently many use mercury as a preservative or something.

renishas October 7 2010, 16:59:58 UTC

I never got one. I was pregnant all through last fall and winter and was careful about who I was around and I washed/sanitized my hands regularly while at work (a bank). Neither I nor my son got the flu.

draiochta_faol October 7 2010, 17:01:44 UTC

I got my flu shot on Tuesday at my OB/GYN's office. They specifically carry the Mercury free free ones for pregnant women (and I believe nursing women as well).

tchemgrrl October 7 2010, 17:08:33 UTC

My midwives highly recommended that both my husband and I get this year's flu shot, though the one containing live virus is not recommended for pregnant women. (There are some exceptions involving things like egg allergies, though, which you may want to double-check.) She said they now recommend it starting in the first trimester, too. I got mine on Monday ( ... )

livinluvinlife October 7 2010, 17:47:46 UTC

This is me, and I work with the elderly. (last year I worked at a lab pregnant and there was 2 H1N1 cases there)