Flu jab

[Sas1101]

I work for the NHS and it's coming up to the time where they push staff to have the flu jab. My colleague is doing a flu jab clinic right after one of my meetings next week and I'll be asked to have it. I'm about to start DR for FET on Sunday and not sure about having it done during treatment? Ive had it every year for about 10 years so I'm not against it but wanted to know if I should give it a miss during treatment or its safe to have it. Also trying no to draw attention to myself by refusing.

S x

[PurplePiggie]

I would imagine this would be fine as they give it to pregnant women, can't see what impact it could have, but maybe check with your clinic to put your mind at rest? Good luck with treatment 😊 x

[Sas1101 in reply to PurplePiggie]

Thank you PurplePiggy. That makes perfect sense. It's like all logic goes out the window when you start treatment 🙈😆

[PurplePiggie in reply to Sas1101]

Haha definitely, makes you second guess lots of things! 😘

[Lovemylion]

Hi 👋 I had my flu jab on Monday and in the middle of meds. Checked with clinic and they said it was fine and that I should definitely have it (I’m asthmatic). Check with your clinic but I should think they will say it’s fine to have. Xxxx

[Sas1101 in reply to Lovemylion]

That's reassuring. I will do that. Good luck xx

[Lovemylion in reply to Sas1101]

And good luck to u! Xxx

[jengi]

I’m 12 weeks pregnant & was just looking into this. From what I can find there are no risks. So I assume it’ll be fine for you to have it ahead of treatment. Better to be covered rather than getting flu during treatment. It’s about weighing the risks. You can always ask your consultant just to be on the safe side!

[Sas1101 in reply to jengi]

Thanks for replying, and you're right about weighing up risks. My trust are pushing the flu jab this year as they're saying that evidence suggests you can get Covid and the Flu together 😬 I'd hate that to happen during treatment.

Congrats on your pregnancy. Xx

[PenguinBlue]

Hi, I was in a similar situation - I’ll be starting my cycle in October and had my flu jab on Monday. I preferred to have it as I’ve had it for years with no problems and would rather have it in advance of the cycle. As some ladies have mentioned, they do recommend that you have it when you’re pregnant so shouldn’t be a factor to stop you. Xx

[Sas1101 in reply to PenguinBlue]

Sas1101

A few seconds ago

Thank you PenguinBlue that's really reassured me. I'm a nurse so you'd think I'd know better but all logic goes out the window when you're anxious 🤣🙈

When do you start your cycle? Are you doing fresh or frozen.

Wishing you lots of luck. Xx

[PenguinBlue]

Oh no worries at all Sas! Yes I’ve definitely been there, I’m so paranoid in touching anything at the moment and from next week am going to start shielding even though I probably have a month before my Covid test for this cycle 😂

This will be my second cycle and I’m doing another fresh cycle. We have one frostie 3BB from our last cycle but would like to go through the cycle torture again in the hope of getting some better quality embryos - I’ll be doing a long protocol this time round so Hoping this will get me a good number of eggs! I’ll be starting my down reg in 2 weeks I think as long as my period behaves and comes on time next week!

Lots of luck for your FET!! How many embryos are you transferring? Xxx

[Sas1101]

Haha I was the same for my last FET shielded way before transfer 🙈 I'm not sure I'll get away with the same this time round with my employer 😬

Ahh that makes sense to go ahead with a fresh cycle. I did the long protocol for my fresh cycle and I worked well for us. We got 4 top grade blasts. I haven't been successfully in pregnancy yet but hoping it'll be third time lucky 🤞🏻 I have convinced my oh to transfer our last two remaining embryos this time ☺️ He was definitely a bit hesitant at first 🙈

Wishing all the best and lots of luck for your cycle. I'll be waiting for your updates. Xx

[PenguinBlue in reply to Sas1101]

Ah I can imagine it’s much harder for you having to come into work to shield. I work in an office which is closed because of Covid so it’s been much easier! I’m now currently trying to work out how much time I can take off around the EC and transfer 🙈

That’s amazing you have two top quality embryos to transfer - I have everything crossed that your FET goes well 🥰 also were your doctors happy for you to transfer 2? Mine have been v insistent to only transfer one (I guess it’s my second cycle and am 32..) but would love to know if others have more flex and choice!

Thanks so much hun, I’m sure I’ll have some posts and updates once it all kicks off in a couple weeks. Keep me posted on yours too xxx

[Sas1101 in reply to PenguinBlue]

I don't want to tell my employer this time and hoping i can get some last minute annual leave. I just want this try to be very low key even though my manager is very understanding. How much time are you planning/hoping on taking off?

I'm very fortunate enough to be funded by the NHS for 3 transfers (1 fresh and 2 FET) and NHS policy is that on final attempt you can transfer 2 blasts if they are available. I was told my by consultant that many don't have enough at this stage so I'm considering myself lucky. I'm 38 (nearly 39) so twins would be great! My oh however, is very worried at the prospect 🤣 but I know would be chuffed if it happened.

I'll definitely be looking out for your updates 🥰 Are you DR? When do you start? By the looks of it I'll be transferring around 5th November. Xx

[PenguinBlue in reply to Sas1101]

Oh I completely get it! My first cycle I didn’t say anything as I had just started a new role in my company and my manager joined 2 months after I had started and wasn’t sure how supportive they would be. But I found it hard because I had explained I’d be off for a ‘minor procedure’ but never went into details and then when I was off (which started a few days before my EC, she messaged to ask how my op had gone and I felt so flustered!) My company give us 5 days special leave for fertility treatment which I wanted to use for this second round. I ended up sending an email to my manager before we had our weekly meeting and she was really understanding and supportive. I think In total I would like to be off work from just before EC (as I found I was going to the clinic almost everyday at that point and it’s a 2hr round trip for me!) and then stayed off until a week after transfer so I can remain relaxed and not worried. So I think I’ll have to use the special leave alongside annual leave but my manager has said if I don’t feel great I can also take sick leave around that time to extend it further which is really nice! How much time do you think you’ll take off? The good benefit about Covid is everyone has loads of annual leave to take before Xmas so I’m telling my team I’m just using up my leave instead of explaining what I’m doing (they already think I’m seriously sick with the amount of time I have taken for appointments since the summer 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️)

Wow 3 nhs transfers is amazing, and so great you have 2 great blasts for transfer too!! Twins would be so so exciting!! It’s the ivf dream 😂😂 I have everything crossed for you 🥰🥰🥰

Ah thanks Sas, I think I’m about 2-3 weeks behind you. I won’t start DR until ~20th Oct and reckon my transfer will be ~24th Nov if everything goes to plan (which we know doesn’t happen in ivf!!) so hopefully once I’ve transferred I’ll have heard some good news from you! 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽This is one of the very few times that I’m wishing my period to start ASAP!!! 🤣 Xxx

[PenguinBlue in reply to PenguinBlue]

Also sorry for the ridiculous long response - I just get so carried away x

[Sas1101 in reply to PenguinBlue]

Oh get carried away as much as you want, that's why it's all about 😊

Your manager sounds very supportive. I've also had to chop and change my schedule for scans etc but have told a few girls in my team and they have been very understanding. I manage my own diary so hopefully can maneuver it around appointments. I've just spoken to my manager and said I will need some annual leave the beginning of November for a family thing (it was the first thing that came to my mind). I can't give the exact week as it could be the first or second 🙈 There is only one other person off in my team so she's ok with it. I just hope the workload doesn't drastically increase for then. My work can be unpredictable like this at times.

It always makes me chuckle when we wish our periods to arrive after years of crying when we see it! Thanks for your kind words. Im rooting for you!!! Xxxx

[PenguinBlue in reply to Sas1101]

Ah that’s great your manager is fine with your time off! It’s so frustrating that we can’t get an exact day scheduled with this thing!!

Haha I know, I felt a cramp earlier today and was like woohoooo here it comes (I still have another 6 days to go and my period is annoyingly on time most of the time!) will keep my eyes peeled for your updates or feel free to message if you need to vent or have a chat xxx

[Hidden]

I’ve never had a flu jab or the flu, I don’t even get colds last one I can remember is 1999 was a bit chesty before I went out partying the new year 2000 lol

Do they randomly give them to anyone now thought it was just vulnerable, pregnant & old people.

[kt_11 in reply to Hidden]

Wow, that’s a long time to go without a cold! I tend to get at least one, often more, quite bad ones every year. I’ve had flu a couple of times too when I was at school. Must depend what our bodies are best at fighting as I never ever get tummy bugs etc (literally haven’t had one since I was a child) but a bad cold can destroy me for a good few weeks.

They don’t just give the flu jabs out to anyone but NHS staff do get offered one every year along with other vulnerable groups. I do think they’ve increased the number of people they’re offering them to this year to try reduce the impact of flu season (usually pretty bad for the NHS) in addition to covid. My mum has been offered one this year - she’s fit & well and only 61 whereas I’m sure it’s usually over 65’s.

Sas1101 - Can’t comment much about having one during a cycle as I had my IVF in July/August but I did go on to have the jab during pregnancy which was fine. Can’t think of any reason why it would be any different to that. Wishing you all the best with your cycle 🤞🏻 xx

[Sas1101 in reply to kt_11]

Thank you kt_11 😊 I'm definitely going to have it now. Congrats on your pregnancy. Xx

I'm the same gcw104, hardly get colds and never had the flu but as I work for the NHS and with vulnerable children it's in our and their interest to get it done. There's always a big drive this time of year. I unfortunately can't hide from not having it and have to sign a disclaimer of i don't 🙈 xx

[kt_11 in reply to Sas1101]

Aw thanks. Although I’m not pregnant any more - my little boy is now 2 😊

I know when you’ve been through IVF it’s so easy to worry about everything you do, even if logically you know it won’t cause any harm! Wishing you all the best x

[Sas1101 in reply to kt_11]

Ahh congrats on your little boy ❤️

Thank you so much for the well wishes. Xxx