Swine flu vac

Kimberly - posted on 11/26/2009

I read a story a few months ago written by a pregnant woman who was part of the h1n1 vaccine trials, so they did apparently test a "few" real live pregnant human women...the woman's experience in the story was very positive and probably the first piece of evidence that went into my "get the vaccine" column. :)

Congrats on your baby girl! We're having another boy, which will make two very rambunctious little fellas in our house. I didn't have a preference for what we got this pregnancy, as I've always pictured myself being the mother of little boys, but if we get preggo again, I'm gonna have my fingers crossed for a girl for sure!!!!!!!! :)

Congrats again and have a great Thanksgiving. :)

Sarah - posted on 11/26/2009

Thanks, that's helped me loads with my decision. I heard that they had only tested the vaccine on pregnant mice so i was abit weary because of that. But i think i'm going to have the vaccine. Thanks for your help, i really appreciate it :)
I'm due 26th feb. Im getting quite excited about it ! When are you due ? I'm having a girl so will have one of each :)

Kimberly - posted on 11/25/2009

Hi Sarah. I have an April 2008 baby boy and am 37 weeks pregnant with baby boy #2. I got the H1N1 shot at about 30 or 32 weeks pregnant, as soon as my midwife's office got it. I have a couple of very good friends who are pediatricians and not only were they vaccinating their own children, but they shared advice with me regarding vaccinating while pregnant. They told me that when you receive a vaccine while pregs, some of the material will pass the placenta and begin working as an anti-body to your fetus, but not very much. The vaccines are not actually that good at crossing the placenta. This was actually a good thing to me and sounds like it would be a good thing to you. The main benefit will come from A) As you mentioned, you will be vaccinated and therefore have a MUCH lower risk of contracting the flu (I got a seasonal and swine flu shot...) which can be deadly for pregnant women this year, and B) once your baby is born and you breastfeed, your body will be making anti-bodies from the vaccine you received and passing those on to your baby through your milk. Since our new babies won't be able to be vaccinated until they are at least 6 months old, and this swine flu is expected to be around all of next year, too, then passing on all the protection you can is a good idea.



Also, my doctor friends told me that these rumors and hysteria swirling around (mostly on the internet) regarding the quickness that this vaccine was developed and therefore not being safe are completely false. It is true that the vaccine to treat the H1N1 flu virus was produced quickly (to meet demand), the make-up of the vaccine is the same as every seasonal flu shot that has been around for the last couple of years. The difference is in the exact flu the vaccine is targeting, but the vaccine itself is not "new" or "unresearched" if that makes any sense.



I hope I'm not coming on too strong. In the end, this decision is definitely going to be yours to make. I just did so much research about whether to get the shot and then I get a teensy bit frustrated when I read people saying they aren't getting the shot because it's so "dangerous." By my information, there are no more dangers or risks to getting this shot than getting a standard seasonal flu shot. (Though there are some risks always with even that standard seasonal flu shot...so if you find yourself comfortable with those, then you should feel safe proceeding with the swine flu shot.)



Good luck and congratulations to you on your new baby! Are you due sometime around Valentine's Day? What fun. :)