Flu Shots

Hi Everyone,

I have been thinking recently and am currently undecided about getting the recommended 3 flu shots this flu season.  I will be discussing this with my midwife. Has anyone already had this discussion with their medical provider? Or made up their mind?

I work as a nurse in a high school, so more than likely I will be exposed to the Swine/regular Flu this fall.

I highly recommend getting your flu shots, even while pregnant.  Last year I got mine a few days before I delivered Libby.  My doctor had to talk me in to it but it really made sense.  With you getting the flu shot it gives the baby the vaccine as well, since they are too young to get it when they are first born.  Plus, the vaccine also gets to them through breast milk if you decide to breastfeed.  Libby goes in today to get her first of two flu shots, she is 10.5 months old.  I got mine a week and a half ago, although this year I didn't get the shot.  I got this nasal one that I didn't even know existed.  My doctor said it has a higher success rate.  She had to talk me into it this year, again.  I declined it with the medical assistant and then my doctor explained to me that the flu kills young children every year and that it is crucial that we get the vaccine. 

Anyways, definitely talk to your doctor but I think it is a good idea to do.

We are going to have four at risk people in our home at the hight of the Flu season, my OB has actually asked me to keep the three bigger kids out of school until after I deliver (which is only three days of school missed), but after talking to other people we have pretty much decided that we will keep the bigger kids out of school until the H1N1 vacinne has been made available. I don't think that EVERYONE should do this, but our personal risk is very high and the chances of serious complications are also high, so I am just not willing to take the chance. I am a "better safe than sorry" kind of girl.

Interesting that you posted this because I just put it on my list of questions for my OB for my appt. I am an RN. I know that we will see a high level of flu (both 'regular' and swine) this fall/winter. I read an article saying how bad it will be on pregnant women. I'm not sure what to think. I'm a bit reluctant to take the H1N1 vaccine since it will be so new.