question help: A question about getting the flu jab while pregnant.

..Minerva..

A question about getting the flu jab while pregnant.

I have not had a flu jab, well… I don’t think I’ve ever had a flu jab. Usually every year I will get a cold, mostly from other members of my family that I live with. I am more prone to bacterial throat infections but I had one recently (about 5 months ago) that lasted about a week.

Now I have been pregnant for almost 12 weeks, and as usual, I have caught the cold that my stepdad gave to my mum and now she gave it to me. They had these colds about a week. It doesn’t seem to be very serious, if anything it’s just a mild cold with the usual runny/stuffy nose, slightly sore throat (mostly from breathing open mouthed), slightly achy. This is day 2 of the cold for me.

My question is however I am unsure as to whether I should go and get a flu jab. I have read online that women get colds and flu during pregnancy and it doesn’t necessarily harm the baby so long as your temperature doesn’t exceed 102 degrees (or 39 celcius, I believe). Must I get the flu jab? I have been avoiding taking any form of medication, even paracetemol which people claim to be is safe to take during pregnancy. I have been eating healthily, taking prenatal vitamins everyday and drinking plenty of fluids including tea.

Just looking for advice and opinions if you have any, thanks :)

This open post was written 1 year, 2 months ago | V/U/S: 973, 16, 7 | Edit Post | Leave a reply | Report Post

Reciprocity (0)

Since writing this post ..Minerva.. may have helped people, but has not within the last 4 days. ..Minerva.. is a verified member, has been around for 3 years, 11 months and has 100 posts and 5,898 replies to their name.

Post Tags (10)

pregnancy, question, cold, Week, Prenatal vitamins, Temperature, Sore throat, Breathing, drinking, Everyday (How Tags Affect Reciprocity)

Replies (16)

Where were you?

Click and drag to move the map around. FAQ: How we place people on this map »
You can also watch events on Help.com as they happen

Mouse over the map for 2 seconds to see an expanded, interactive view

Sethene 8 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 2 months ago (3 minutes after post)

Have a look at this page:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu-jab/…

Help me with: >.<

..Minerva.. 32 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 2 months ago (5 minutes after post)

Sethene wrote:
Have a look at this page:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu-jab/…

I have already done lots of research about the flu jab, I am mostly asking for personal opinions and/or experience with jabs themselves. I know of several women who had children without taking a flu jab and their babies turned out fine. That’s why I’m asking if it’s really necessary I get one.

Help me with: The best national anthem in the world?

Anonymous #
1 year, 2 months ago (7 minutes after post)

just meet your doc.. And dont worry not all anti biotics are harmful.. The temp thing you are talking about is rubella i guess..

..Minerva.. 32 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 2 months ago (11 minutes after post)

I am really disappointed with the conflicting information on flu jabs, because on the one hand I have seen a doctor who strongly recommended I get one. Then I saw a nurse and midwife practitioner who told me that it’s not absolutely necessary and many women carry on full term without one and turn out fine, even when they fall ill with a flu. Why the conflicting information? It should be straight forward but it isn’t.

I am leaning towards not getting the jab, because I don’t see a reason why I should other than my immune system in down. But then explain how women have told me that many get sick, worse than a common cold during pregnancy and never had flu jabs?

Help me with: The best national anthem in the world?

..Minerva.. 32 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 2 months ago (12 minutes after post)

I forgot to add to that post, that they never had a flu jab but the baby and the mother don’t encounter any complications.

Help me with: The best national anthem in the world?

Sethene 8 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 2 months ago (13 minutes after post)

Well, you aren’t likely to get the flu if you’re not usually vulnerable to it (everyone gets colds in winter but the flu is alot more serious). However, when pregnant your immune system isn’t running at it’s full potential making it easier to catch Flu and harder to fight it off if you do. Depending on how far along you are there is also an increased chance of dying from it.

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy…

I would say, although the risk is small, your best bet is to just have it done. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Help me with: >.<

This reply has been removed.

Pink Freud 65 #
Spokane, WA, US | 1 year, 2 months ago (23 minutes after post)

Anon,

If you do not have anything helpful to offer the OP then I suggest you leave the post NOW.

-Puck
Moderator

Help me with: So a few days ago I ordered a new computer and just a little bit ago I tracked the package and it shows that it was shipped

Anonymous #
1 year, 2 months ago (29 minutes after post)

you should.. Midwives and nurses are not your Dr.. And if you are considering what they said then there is still a possibility.. Dont take any chances..

The Sherlockian 39 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 2 months ago (31 minutes after post)

I generally believe in vaccinations. However, the flu shot has proven–in my own experience–to be no better than a witch doctor’s rattle in preventing the flu.

The flu really failed to materialize this season, most likely due to the warmer winter.

Remember the swine flu “epidemic”? It bordered on a hoax. The people at the World Health Organization who were beating the drums for worldwide immunizations had financial ties to the vaccine industry.

Again–I believe in vaccines generally, but the vaccine companies have repeatedly failed the nail the “incoming strain” of flu. I haven’t had a flu shot in over a decade–and I haven’t had the flu, either!

Talk to your doctor–do some research. But I think the less “foreign substances” in your body at this time, the better!

Help me with: I made it home for Christmas!

..Minerva.. 32 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 2 months ago (38 minutes after post)

Thanks all for replies and input. Honestly I can see the pros and cons for getting a flu jab. Pros, better safe than sorry, you’re protected in case you do get a flu. I have also heard of women who get the flu jab while pregnant and who fall violently ill as a result, but then you also hear of women who praise the flu jab. Then I also hear of women getting sick with colds and flu during pregnancy without taking a flu jab and turning out perfectly ok. Just wish this were a ‘yes/no’ question.

I think I’ll get a second doctor’s opinion on the jab issue and find out more about it before I decide to get one. I am normally not anti-medicine but I am just hyper aware and perhaps slightly paranoid now that I’m pregnant about everything because I worry about the baby (especially considering I thought I was infertile). Thanks again all.

Help me with: The best national anthem in the world?

The Sherlockian 39 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 2 months ago (53 minutes after post)

I’d also recommend looking at the low odds of getting the flue this year. The shot could pose more of a risk than the possibility of getting the flu. Flu rates are around half of what they were last year.

And getting the flu shot doesn’t mean that you cannot get the flu–at least that’s been the flu shot’s track record for the last two decades!

Help me with: I made it home for Christmas!

coleh200 #
An Unknown Location | 1 year, 1 month ago (1 month, 2 weeks after post)

Hey i am mandi I know how you feal. Basicly you should listen to your doctor. I got the flew shot with both my preg, It helped get through the season. Sure It wount hurt the baby if you don’t but you may get more missery then you bargend for if you don’t It’s up to you though. I hope everything works out for you god bless.

This account has been deactivated.

lemonlimedefence 26 #
An Undisclosed Location | 10 months, 2 weeks ago (4 months, 2 weeks after post)

Do you mean 102 degrees farhenite. Anyway I am not sure if you need the injection but you are eating a healthy diet, so why are you taking vitamins. Do you think our bodies are designed to absorb pure vitamins? No they are not so that is known to increase chance of sickness and disease. If you eat a balanced diet than you really don’t need vitamins.:-)

Help me with: Human trafficking

Invite Others to Help

A logged in and verified Help.com member has the ability to setup a Friends List and invite others to help with posts.

question help: A question about getting the flu jab while pregnant. - Help.com

A question about getting the flu jab while pregnant.

Reciprocity (0)

Post Tags (10)

Replies (16)

Invite Others to Help

Help.com Homepage