Have we discussed flu shots?

[hainesherway]

Have you ladies gotten a flu shot yet this season?  My RE told me to get one as soon as possible..but I'm irrationally scared that I should wait until 2nd tri.  If you got one, how far along were you?

[Bonita]

I got mine the 2nd week of October, I was already in 3rd tri at that time since it wasn't that long ago.

How far along are you now? I personally would get one sooner rather than later since being pg means your immune system is not as robust as usual

[Deleted]

I got one, it made me sick for a few days (cough mostly, but I get a cough easily due to asthma). I was 24 weeks.

When is your first tri over?

[hainesherway]

I'm 8w4d, so 2nd tri would start 11/23.

[Brie]

I got one around 21 weeks-ish. I would have no hesitation about getting one during first tri, though. There is absolutely no risk proven to having one, but getting the flu can be a huge risk to you and your fetus.

From the CDC:

What research shows that seasonal flu vaccine is safe for unborn babies?

Studies of several thousand pregnant women in scientific literature have assessed the safety of using the flu vaccine during pregnancy. These studies have shown no evidence of harm to pregnant women, to the unborn child (or fetus) or to newborns of vaccinated women. In fact, studies have shown that vaccinating a pregnant woman can give her baby antibodies to protect against flu for six months after they are born. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) and CDC's routine monitoring of adverse events has not raised safety concerns.

[Deleted]

Well, so there's no evidence that a flu shot itself would hurt you/the baby/cause a miscarriage. If you get the flu between now and then, it could be bad. It's not likely, as the height of flu season is post-new year, IIRC.

So it's your call, you could pretty easily delay the 3.5 weeks or so until you're in the 2nd tri.

[estrellita]

I got mine a couple weeks or so ago. I was sad to find out I couldn't do the mist. Boo to my arm hurting for a few days!

[nmosrob]

I got mine last week, at the end of first trimester

[centralsquare]

Get the shot. And go soon, because they are already reporting a shortage.

[vtdiamond]

I got mine at 30 weeks, but would be comfortable with getting it in the 1st tri as I would worry about coming down with the flu while pregnant.

[sarahsas]

I got one in my first tri, around 8wks. It only hurt for a day and no symptoms. My doc recommended I get it ASAP so I did.

[starburst604]

When I went to my first OB appt, around 8 weeks, she strongly recommended it and I had it that day. I was fine. I get it every year without any side effects.

[smiledamnit]

I got mine, for the first time in years, at my 12 week appointment (mercury free one). No side effects other than a very sore arm for a couple of days.

[christy082]

I got mine as soon as it was available through work, on October 1st. I just happened to be in second trimester then.

[hainesherway]

Thanks ladies. You've convinced me to go ahead and get it done.

[tiptoetulips]

I tried to go today but I had to have a prescription at Kroger and Harris teeter both since I'm still first tri. They are giving them at work tomorrow I think I will wait though because last year they were in the front office and the lady giving them looked at my form and loudly was like WHAT YOURE TTC?!? I plan to go next week

[whiskeyandwine]

I got mine at 8 weeks. I don't get one most years but having the flu while preg sounds fucking awful.

[sequins]

I got mine today at 9w 6d at my ob/gyn. Any risk from the shot is lesser than the risk of getting flu, so I just went with it.

[rachelgreen]

I never get the flu shot (normally) but I did at my regular ob check up along with my glucose test. I was 27 or 28 wks then. I also had my Tdap done that day.

[krystee]

I got mine at 14 weeks when they became available.

[sillygoosegirl]

I got it as soon as I heard it was available. I was 31 weeks, and it was early September.

In addition to the general suckiness of getting the flu, it is far more likely to become life threatening for both you and the baby if you are pregnant, and if you get the flu during pregnancy, and it increases your baby's odds of developing schizophrenia later in life by 700%. I have a family history of schizophrenia, so that last statistic especially scares me.

[nextbigthing]

I got mine about 6 weeks ago, so early second trimester. I never considered not getting one. I had the flu in college and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

[jorja]

I'm required to get it for work, so I got it as soon as they offered it. I think it was late September...so I was either late second or early third tri.

We're already seeing cases of the flu here.

[noodleoo]

My OB office gave it to me at my very first visit, I think I was 7 weeks. I didn't question it!

[hainesherway]

I got the shot last night at CVS. Sore arm this morning but it's worn off by now. Glad I got it over with! Now how to convince DH and SD to get one...don't think it'll happen with their fear of needles!

[sequins]

Oct 31, 2014 17:58:40 GMT -5 hainesherway said:

I got the shot last night at CVS. Sore arm this morning but it's worn off by now. Glad I got it over with! Now how to convince DH and SD to get one...don't think it'll happen with their fear of needles!

You're lucky. I still have arm and chest pain, 24 hours later

[jennistarr1]

Oct 30, 2014 20:17:36 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

I got it as soon as I heard it was available. I was 31 weeks, and it was early September.

In addition to the general suckiness of getting the flu, it is far more likely to become life threatening for both you and the baby if you are pregnant, and if you get the flu during pregnancy, and it increases your baby's odds of developing schizophrenia later in life by 700%. I have a family history of schizophrenia, so that last statistic especially scares me.

I remember learning this too and wondered if getting a flu shot (since it contains the actual virus) would be damning then.  

When i got mine, I got something different then they were giving most hospital workers, something preservative free I believe that they stored in a cooler