Anyone of you going in for flu and covid jabs this winters to be extra cautious during pregnancy? Or have had it before during previous winter pregnancies?
Will it affect the baby?
I’m still not sure what’s best so seeking some help here based on experiences.
Thanks in advance!
Written by
SonaSharma
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I had covid (and I think a booster), flu and whooping cough jabs during my first pregnancy and all fine. This pregnancy I had the covid and flu jab whilst I unknowingly had covid! I think the covid jab didn't have time to kick in and I felt pretty rough soon after the jabs, but covid's more dangerous for women in the third trimester so in a way am glad I've (accidentally) double boosted myself early on as hopefully it will protect me and baby when it's most needed. Having said that I think now covid has become a more mild illness (although not fun at all) flu and whooping cough are probably the ones to be more concerned about.
First pregnancy 2021 I had all 3 covid jabs between 13 and 34 weeks plus flu jab then whooping cough. This pregnancy I had covid+flu in september at about 25 weeks, then whooping cough at 32. Only side effect was a sore arm, esp after the first whooping cough one. Covid and flu can be really unpleasant if not severe in third trimester and there’s so much data to show these jabs are safe in pregnancy. I have mild asthma but at 35 weeks I’m having trouble breathing due to mild wheeze and a high carry. It’s actually quite anxiety inducing even just being a bit breathless so goodness knows how scary a bad case of COVID would be. Xx
I had the flu and whooping cough one together as part of my pregnancy care (I think it’s around the end of 2nd trimester?) I didn’t have the covid one I had an appointment sent that was a few weeks after my due date so I went for that and decided the date sent took the decision away from me about that but at that point not a lot of pregnant women had had the jag and people were still being cautious around others. I’m still a bit unsure about the covid one in pregnancy but only as it is still a bit new, the other 2 absolutely all day long I would have them. I think with covid rising again and no measures in place I would go for the covid one when pregnant too now as that seems the biggest illness this winter so far but would probably ask my midwife a few questions to double check first and out my mind at ease xx
The jabs are not just protecting you but also baby when it is born and basically without much of an immune system. So the side effects like feeling a bit rough and a sore arm are really worth it knowing baby has some extra protection.
I had all 3 jabs whilst pregnant. I think my Covid booster was in my third trimester around 30 weeks. No side effects.. I am so glad I had my Covid jabs as we all caught Covid for the first when my baby girl was around 5 months last year. We all recovered very quickly and had relatively mild symptoms.
I definitely agree with the other posts on here. The jabs protect you and baby. All the best.
Hello dear yes, I had flu jab and Covid vaccine during pregnancy. I believe that was a really good decision of mine. Because my babies are good and fine and even after birth I feel their immune system is better. That's why I recommend you the vaccine. All the best 👍🏼
I am on the same situation this side, 23 weeks but still bit unsure with the vaccines. Your post came in good time. Thank you all for your helpful responses.
I had the covid jabs before I was pregnant, and it made me really ill so I opted to miss them out while pregnant. I’ve had my flu jab (which was fine) and having the whooping cough next week. I’m 20 weeks pregnant and I’m breastfeeding. My midwife and practise nurse all confirmed the flu/whooping cough is safe while pregnant and breastfeeding. They even double checked their NHS guidelines in front of me which put my mind at ease.
I was pregnant last year with my son, and had all the vaccines accept the covid booster, and me and my son were perfectly fine thank goodness.
I've had flu and covid vaccinations because my midwife said it was much better too and wouldn't affect the baby, but getting flu or covid could be harmful to the pregnancy. I've also had the whooping cough vaccine which mine also came with technis and polio mixed in because that's just how it's manufactured, but then it means your baby is vaccinated from it from the moment they pop out, but other than having a bit of a sore arm and feeling a bit rubbish for a couple of days after each I've been fine and every pregnancy check up and scan after has been perfect, so I would worry about it 😊
I had them both and I was fine, actually reacted less than usual! Also had whooping cough vaccine and no problems. Little man is 9 months old and perfect. Much better for you to be protected and pass on some of that protection to baby.
Yes you are normally advised to have these jabs whilst pregnant. I had the flu and whooping cough ones, but decided against the covid one. I actually had the nurse tell me she didn’t blame me for not having it too!
You shouldn’t get any side effects from the flu jab other than a sore arm as it’s not a ‘live’ vaccine x x
Such overwhelming responses, thank you beauties. You all are great, I’ve booked mine as well now that my midwife also suggests the same as you all. Going to get all three in time.
Had my flu and COVID vaccines and didn't get any side effects apart from sore arm. My husband now has flu and I have no symptoms so I'm very glad I took the flu vaccine!
I just found out I'm pregnant with baby number 2 and had my vaccine yesterday. No side effects for me.I took the 3 course covid last 2 years but wasn't pregnant then. I have only been sick once in the 2 years, thankfully very brief.
Hi there. I had both while pregnant and no side effects really beyond a sore arm! I think it's definitely worth it: it certainly made me feel a lot better heading into cold and flu season heavily pregnant. xx
Hi Sona... I can understand your worry n confusion as I have been through it two weeks back. I landed in UK in September 2023 end with 8 week old pregnancy. I have taken the flu jab on Nov 2, 2023. After taking this vaccine I felt two things for next 3 consecutive days: 1) Slight pain in hand where the vaccine was injected and 2) Headache
The pain in hand was not much. It was negligible. But the headache used to be there every evening for 3 consecutive nights. I took my dinner by 7.30-8pm and tried to sleep off to avoid feeling the pain. It worked for me.
Normally after every vaccine I tend to get fever. But this time no fever happened. I recovered like a dream !!!
Eat nutritious food, do some walks in the day, stay active, work on building your immunity strong... Your strong immunity will help you to recover from after effects of flu jab (if any).
Also I forgot to mention, I did not feel any issues to my pregnancy (my baby) as an after-effect of flu vaccine.
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