Advice on swine flu shot and should I get it????? Is it safe for the unborn Baby???

Shericka - posted on 11/25/2009

i got a swine flu and seasonal flu shot both in the same day at 36 weeks pregnant..i think its especially important for pregnant women to get them so they and their unborn child can be as protected as possible from the flu!

Karla - posted on 11/17/2009

I've been a nurse for 7 years working in a doctors office. They always recommend the flu shot to pregnant women but they dont properly inform you of the risks! The fact is your changes of dieing from a flu virus are les than 4% and the medical community has done no studies, I repeat NO STUDIES, on the affects that the flu shot may or may not have on your unborn child! We've all had the flu at some point in our life and yes it sucks but to me the risk to the infant is potentially much worse! I am 35 weeks pregnant right now and denied bout the H1N1 and seasonal flu shot as I do every year, pregnant or not.
Good Luck to you in your final weeks!!

Amy - posted on 11/15/2009

Thanks guys for all your advice and opinions .This has been a hard decision to make but I decided to cancel my appointment today as with all consideration here in Aus we are going into summer and I only have 4 weeks till delivering so I have chosen for now to wait as Kimberley sugessted and I have it post birth to cover me and bub for next winter.it has eased up here in Aus for now and in the mean time I will be taking precautions over the next month to ensure I lessen the risk ,like continue using antibacterial hand wash regulary and staying away from high risk and crowded places unless it's a neccesatie to be there.

Good Luck to you all on your upcoming births :-)

Kimberly - posted on 11/15/2009

I'm 36 weeks and got mine about 3 weeks ago. A friend of mine who is a doctor (a neonatologist) told me that this flu shot, though it was produced quickly, is EXACTLY the same as the seasonal flu shot. There is nothing to be afraid of (according to her) regarding this vaccine. What is new about this vaccine is the particular strain of flu that it guards against, but the basic make-up is not new. Does this help? Also, my son's pediatrician (and the ped. for our baby coming in December) told me that she HIGHLY recommended I get the H1N1 shot while pregnant. She said that not THAT much of the vaccine passes through the placenta to the baby, but that I would begin building immunities that would pass through my breastmilk to the baby. These babies born this winter will be so vulnerable to the swine flu, which is expected to be around until next year. If you are not anti-vaccine, then you may want to seriously consider getting this shot while pregnant, or if you are worried about getting it while pregnant, get it as soon as you can post-natal and then breastfeed if you can, to pass the immunities on to your baby. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 11/14/2009

I am 36 weeks and just got it. I actually hadn't even considered it; I didn't want to be part of some paranoia, or like you, have it done when there haven't been enough trials. But after talking to my doctor and finding that several pregnant woman in MY area died right before the swine flu shot was readily available, I decided to go for it. Babies under 6 months can't get the shot, he said, and by getting the shot I was actually immunizing my baby safely. And if I breastfeed (which I plan on doing) he will continue to be immune. I decided to go for it, but don't feel bad if you don't. I was really on the fence about it. It just depends on the area in which you live and how often you are exposed to the swine flu. Good luck.

Darlene - posted on 11/14/2009

Although I was very unsure, I went ahead and got it. My doctor said that I was far enough along in the pregnancy that there should be no danger to the baby. I was 34 weeks at the time. Unfortunetely, one of his pregnant patients is in a coma so he is practically insisting that everyone get the vaccine. I also talked to the nurse practioner (who I really respect and have known for a while) anshe said she had been against it, but did a bunch of research and has found it to be safe. That being said, neither my husband, nor my 23 month old are getting the shot. My son got the regular flu shot.

Allie - posted on 11/13/2009

I am Due in 2 1/2 weeks and i just got it on 11/11/09. I was so skeptical but the doctor talked me in to it. I live in NJ and there are cases in my area so i just decided to be safe. I know it is still so new but i gave it a try. Either way you look at it there is a risk with every vaccine you or your child receive. They say it is safe so if you feel like you want to do it than do it. Plus your baby will be protected up to 6 months after they are born. Hope i helped!