Originally Posted by beaney

I'm glad you're all discussing this on here. I'm so unsure what to do. Like Kacie, I'm also swaying from one decision to another. One minute I'm convinced by the pro-vaccine idea and decide it would be best, and the next minute I'm so scared about what the vaccine might do as there's no certain research into it.

CJ, you make so much sense and I can tell you know what you're talking about. Do you know if your information also covers the Pandemrix vaccine, which is what is recommended for pregnant women in the UK? It contains adjuvant and thiomersal, amongst other ingredients. I think something different is offered in Canada?

I just wish I could have a guarantee that the vaccine would not detrimentally affect the baby!

Originally Posted by Kacie

And I know this question has been raised before, but again I don't feel like I've found an answer to it yet....

Is there any reason to wait until second trimester to get the vaccine or should I get it as soon as it is available to me?

I know that complications from SF are more likely in second and third tri, but I had also heard it is recommended to wait until second tri to have the vaccine.

Is this opinion valid??

thank you so much cj and others for your wisdom.. I'd be going crazy trying to figure this out on my own without BnB.

xx

Originally Posted by Junebug_CJ

In Canada there is a concern that there is not enough H1N1 vaccine to go around. Hence, women in 2nd and 3rd trimester are prioritized (since their risk of complications is much higher than those in their first trimesters). But in some municipalities that have ordered enough, it is being opened up to women in their first trimester. I think the concern may be similar world-wide, as the demand from the public for the vaccine was overwhelmingly more than was previously estimated. I'm advising that those who wish to get it in their first trimester do it if they can, that way immunity will be full before the start of the second trimester. There is no reason to not receive it in the first trimester otherwise...
CJ

Originally Posted by Junebug_CJ

Not true: I am a doctor (a medical geneticist who specialises in prenatal care and teratogenic effects of drugs, amongst other things). I have seen 2 pregnant women die with my own eyes, and 3 more are in the intensive care. It's totally in your right to not get the vaccine, but please stop spreading misinformation: you are doing no one a service.

1 in 10 pregnant women who get it (based on our Canadian statistics) will end up in the ICU: I do NOT consider this "slim" risks.

There are no real risks associated with vaccinations in pregnancy (the same ingredients other than the specific viral strain, including the adjuvant, have been used for YEARS in seasonal flu vaccine which is routinely administered to pregnant women), and I'm sick and tired of fear-mongering and anti-vaccine advocates trying to convince people otherwise.

Sorry, I'm really upset right now, it may be my hormones talking, but I've seen people die of preventable diseases constantly for the last 10 years (measles, rubella, polio, etc...) because their parents chose not to have them vaccinated. The risk of death with H1N1 in pregnant women is REAL. Your Dr. and midwife are the exception to the rule: by far, the vast majority of health care professionals are able to see this and recognize that one cannot compare this real risk of death to a theoretical risk of vaccines that has been discounted over and over again.

And one more thing: with our years of experience with vaccination in pregnancy, there has not been ANY associations with increased risk of congenital defects, so PLEASE stop making assumptions that vaccines are like thalidomide. The thalidomide tragedy led to much stricter testing being required for drugs and pesticides before they can be licensed: THIS INCLUDES ALL THE INGREDIENTS USED IN VACCINATIONS, which are the same as the ones being used in the H1N1 vaccine.

As I said, if you are anti-vaccination, by all means, it is within your rights to be. But please stop spreading misinformation that may lead to tragedies in other peoples lives.

Sorry for my rant everyone, I'm am honestly TERRIFIED by the deaths and horrible illnesses wrecking havoc amongst the pregnant women who contract H1N1 and really hold this close to my heart right now...

CJ