Flu shot?

Question

In general I am against flu shots but I went to the doctor’s today and they basically scared me into getting a flu shot. They told me scary stories about one pregnant woman dying in the hospital from a flu etc. i don’t think it was fair. I didn’t have the will power to say no after that... I don’t know what to think about it. I’m almost 21 weeks

Answer

That isn’t fair for them to use scare tactics. They should educate you and allow you to make your own decision. 
I’ve felt the same way about it too. I haven’t gotten the flu shot since i was maybe 8 years old-ish. I’m 30 now and haven’t gotten the flu more than once, if at all since then. I’ve been lucky of course. But I personally don’t like the flu shot and don’t plan on getting it, even while being 17 weeks pregnant right now. 
I’ve done a lot of research and asked multiple doctors, both eastern and western medicine. My obgyn said to absolutely get the shot, everyone needs to. My normal doctor said it won’t help or protect you either way, especially because the shot only covers about three different strains and there are many many more out there, and it continues to evolve as it travels from country to state to person. Then my naturopath said that she does not recommend me to get it, especially being pregnant. Her main reason was because the flu shot hasn’t been tested on pregnant women at all so there are no studies on the effects it may or may not have on a developing fetus. She also said it isn’t a “one size fits all” type of shot to get. Many people don’t respond to the shot properly and have a negative immune response, especially if you have a specific gene mutation (mthfr), which I have myself. 
So really, it’s not a simple yes or no in my opinion. It depends on the person and what they’re comfortable with and their medical history and the strength of their immune system. I totally see the benefit and the reason why people are so gung-ho about getting it. But there simply isn’t enough research on how it effects pregnant women and the fetus. 
Also, those deaths your doctor tried to scare you with happen more often on non-pregnant people at risk than they happen with pregnant people. It’s an extremely minute percentage compared to deaths that happen yearly from the flu on a regular person. The people most at risk are seniors and those who are already immune compromised and going through cancer and chemo for example.

Answer

I’ll say, I have NEVER gotten a flu shot. But I got one at my last appointment only because when I do get sick, I get very sick. Better to just do it than regret it later 🤷🏼‍♀️ but no, they absolutely shouldn’t have scared you into getting it. It’s entirely your choice!

Answer

I've never had a flu shot in my life, and being pregnant now I still don't plan on getting one. 
They are jerks for scaring you like that, it is a person's personal choice. Do your own research and make a decision based off that. It is health professionals jobs to push those kinds of things and their opinions will always be biased 🙄

Answer

I always get it while pregnant, and I always get sick after. Just got mine two days ago and here I am coughing and sounding like a man lol.

Answer

I never got the flu shot until I started fertility treatments about 3 years ago. It’s your body and you do what you want. If you do decide to get one just make sure it’s preservative free flu vaccine.

Answer

I've never gotten one and never had the flu. But I know alot of people who got the flu shot and still got the flu. They've also said this years flu shot isn't as effective as they'd hoped it would be so theres still a good chance you can get it. I'm personally not getting it.

Answer

Here’s all I can tell you. If you have ever had the flu bad, you would get the flu shot. I was so sick that I hallucinated. The flu is not the same thing as a “little bug”. The flu is VERY dangerous for pregnant women and it should provide your baby with some protection too once it’s born. If I were your doctor, I would probably do super honest about what the flu can do and highly recommend it.

Answer

My aunt got some version of the flu while she was pregnant and was practically on life support(had tubes down her throat and nose, constant heart monitoring, her heart was beating by itself but other than that she was lifeless) for the rest of her pregnancy and almost 6 months afterwards. She was about 25 weeks when she got sick. They couldn't give her what they needed to get rid of the virus because she was pregnant, but they could keep her alive so that the baby would grow and give them to her once baby was delivered via C-section.
I'm against the flu shot. I always get sick. But after seeing her I will never refuse it while pregnant. I'll take being a little sick over being on my death bed anyday. I'm sure scare tactics isn't necessarily what they meant to do, they probably meant to inform you of the decision you could be making for your self and your baby.

Answer

I usually get a flu shot- ironically the year I had a miscarriage I DIDNT get a flu shot (Not related in anyway at all to my MC but still found it ironic especially with the controversy regarding the shot in general and pregnancy) 
Anyway so I haven’t been sick in probably 3years. My son and husband have both been sick numerous times and not once have I caught anything. And now I’m pregnant and have been sick pretty much all september & October. That alone made me decide to get the flu shot this year because pregnancy has 100% lowered my otherwise great immune system and I don’t want to take any chances. I’ve been having a hard time with a simple sinus infection- I can’t even think about worse.

Answer

I was always against it. Until I got the stomach flu in April. I found out I am pregnant in the beginning of July and I thought back on how awful I felt in April. I couldn't imagine going through that pregnant. I ended up going to the er in april cause I was having severe stomach cramps and vomiting. I got my flu shot almost two weeks ago now.

Flu shot?

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