Flu jab in early pregnancy..

Ok, so I posted this on mumsnet but I'm curious to hear the opinions of you guys who suffer the other side of the 'complications'.

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Hi, I have mild asthma and have found out recently that I am pregnant, so it's early days. Our GP surgery has a flu jab drop in session on 2nd Oct (so will be 6 weeks by then fingers crossed). They have suggested I have the flu jab, ok fine. But.. is it ok before 12 weeks, am I being silly?

I did have flu the winter before last (before they worked out I have asthma) and I NEVER want it again, least of all when I'm pregnant but we've tried for a year for this pregnancy and I'm a little protective as a result..

I'm being daft, right?

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The subject of thiomersal (contaning mercury) and the side-effects of the vaccine came up in repsonse...

I'm stuck between wanting to have a healthier winter than the previous 2 and not risking my pregnancy.

Currently thinking about asking the asthma nurse on monday about potentially delaying to 12 weeks and asking about a thiomersal free vaccine...

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Hi and firstly congratulations on your pregnancy!!

You are not being daft, you now have more than your own well being to think about, its your maternal instinct.

You would like to think that the docs wouldn't have suggested the jab if it in any way risked your pregnancy but unfortunately you can't always be sure. The first 12 weeks are the most important development wise for baby so personally, I would want to wait until after this point. But this is purely a personal view. I know, especially if its your first, you will have a million ohter things to worry about with the pregnancy without having to worry if you are risking things with the flu jab.

On the other hand you do risk getting the flu. But you could prepare yourself by making sure your eating well, getting lots of vit c etc and make sure you up hygiene like washing hands after touching 'public' things if you know what I mean.

See what the nurse says or ring the midwife, they should be able to offer medical advice.

Good luck and well done again, being pregnant was for me the best thing in the world, I feel privelaged to have carried and grown two perfect children, feeling them moving inside is the best feeling ever.

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Thanks for the reply.

This is pregnancy no 2, my son is 4 now. I wasn't offered the flu jab with my last pregnancy but I gather all pregnant women are being offered it now as standard. In fact I've never had a flu jab so no idea about effects but a friend who has it says you do feel crappy for a couple of days, great!

Like you, I'd like to think they wouldn't offer the jab if it was risky but you just don't know for sure.

Anyone on here NOT have the flu jab for some reason?

Will report back with the nurses response, i'd like to think she'll have her own oppinion rather than towing the party line only...

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The only information I can find is about making sure the vaccine is thiomersal free if you're pregnant. Which makes me think that providing the vaccine is thiomersal free you're probably safer having the vaccine, the reason I say this is because whilst there may be some risk (again I can't be certain what and how big the risks are as I have only limited information) in having the vaccine, actually catching flu could be much more harmful to both you and your baby, especially if it where to mess with your asthma. If you leave the jab too late in the flu season you could come into contact with (and develop) flu before you're protected by the vaccine (it takes a while for the immunity to develop, I think its a few weeks until you're fully protected against flu). Personally I'd get the jab, but I'm not a mother so I don't really have that maternal instinct yet, but I do understand that you have concerns. I really think you need some more information on your options so that you can make a fully informed decision and feel confident with whatever you decide. So definitely ask your asthma nurse, ask a midwife if you can, and you could even try contacting your local medicines information department (most hospitals have one though not all are open to the public but they should be able to put you in contact with one that is).

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Quite a few people don't have the flu jab as it's grown inside eggs, so if your allergic to them your unable to have it. I don't think there's an alternative so many go without. As has already been said if you choose not to make sure your taking a daily multi vitamin and be especially careful about hygiene.

Hope you get some answers!

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Quite a few people don't have the flu jab as it's grown inside eggs, so if your allergic to them your unable to have it. I don't think there's an alternative so many go without. As has already been said if you choose not to make sure your taking a daily multi vitamin and be especially careful about hygiene.

Hope you get some answers!

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Thanks again for the replies.

EDITED TO SAY: I'm on symbicort not pulmicort...

Saw my asthma nurse last night. Firstly she changed my meds for pulmicort (is it me or is the turbohaler REALLY loud) then she said I could delay my flu jab till i'm 12 weeks (start of Nov) and that should be fine in time for the flu season.

I'm be in the 3rd batch of flu clinics so not the latest person to have it and she said that the flu 'season' often kicks off the week before christmas (when I had it, my first day was 29th Dec, hubby's birthday, so it fits really) and that it takes about a week for immunity to kick in.

I did ask about thiomersal free vaccine and she said she'd look into it.

For starters I feel happier waiting till 12 weeks as apposed to 6 and hopefully by then I can find out about the thiomersal free option..

Really don't want flu EVER again so think I will probably take the plunge even if it's with thiomersal .

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Hi

I'm a midwife and am being rung conitinuosly by my women asking if they should have the flu jb this year. The DOH are recommending all pregnant women have the flu jab this year as it will also pretect against swine flu.

Yes the jab does contain mercury but no more than is recommended in pregnancy.

Like all things the choice is yours .... have a look at doh.org uk

Best wishes

Truly x xx

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Thanks for the reply. I'm booked in to get it done at 12 weeks (same day as my scan ironically).

I have a quick question. Just getting over a cold/virus thing I had last week and this week my lungs are 'sore' and i'm coughing a bit. Oki thats fine I can handle that but question is, if I have another cold or something when the jab day comes up is it ok still to have it?

I know with kids they advise not to give them their jabs if they are under the weather, wondered if it was similar with adults?

[angievere]

I had the flu jab yesterday. I too have been unwell and still have a sore chest. I asked nurse if it was still alright for me to have the jab and she said as long as I didnt have a temperature it was ok. I've been told that before.

Anyway, apart from being very tired today and arm is a bit sore, there have been no ill effects.