Sorry - this has probably alraedy been done to death, but I (like most others here) am having a bit of a panic as I decide on whether or not to have the swine flu jab, at 16 weeks pregnant.

I have read all the official bumf and it all looks safe to me and normally i would be first in line for such a vaccine....

...HOWEVER, I am a bit confused to hear that some consultants, gps and midwives have been telling patients that the jab isn't safe. Can anyone (who has a healthcare provider that fits into this category) tell me what the rationale is behind this caution. Has anyone been given more information about what COULD happen if you have the jab? I've heard lots of different reasons ranging from the impact of the thirmasol/squlalene (sp?) to the actual vaccine itself's impact on the development of the baby potentially causing neurological damage....I've also heard that the vaccine is safe in the third trimester when baby is fully formed, but not in the first and most of the second (up to 24 weeks) when cell migration is still taking place. Obviously this is all really confusing as it conflicts with what the official guidelines are, and I am desperately trying to get my head around just what sort of risk I would be taking (as there is always a risk with any medical procedure that we have...its just that in most cases the risk is so small).

Also (while I am here) has anyone seen a huge amount of swine flu activity around them?.....apparently 1 in 3 of us are supposed to get it, and if we are pregnant I heard that we then have a 10 percent chance of going into intensive care, and then of that 10 percent, 20% will die. With my dodgy maths, this means that I have a 3 in 100 chance of going into intensive care and abbout a .6 in 100 chance of dying....do those odds look good to you?

the problem we have is that there is too much being spread about and we dont know whats right and wrong. i personally dont want to have the jab, as dont feel its been around long enough and that if it was several years down the line and all was ok then i would take it. also the chances of people getting severe swine flu dont look that high, i believe its more scaremongering amongst the governemnt, i mean in july they were saying that schools would be shut in sept and that never happened! i am a pri teacher and last summer, when the flu first came about, lots of kids were off with suspected swine flu. but it wsant ever sure if they actually had it, or thought they had it...people are quick to say they got it when it could just be a bug or something. if people do actually start getting it in my school then i will just take time off untill it seems to die down. my mum wants me to get it, my husband stands by me and says its prob best not to get the jab. its just so tough knowing whats the best thing to do for my bubs!!!
i havent even been offered it yet so am going to keep worrying what to do when they do offer it me!!!
x

Like you mumofboys, I wish the information we were given was consistent. The official Department of Health guidance devised by experts say it is safe, but yet I've read on other threads that many baby and bump members have been advised not to have it by anything from midwifes, GPs and consultants! I have done a lot of research too being a pharmacist and I cannot find any rational for why they would go against official guidance. It makes a really difficult decision even harder

A friend of mine is a doctor on a labour ward. I've e-mailed her for some sound advice but I am sure that I will have have the jab as my job is so high risk for catching swine flu (I have people coughing and sneezing over me on a daily basis!).

I had mine yesterday. I think most of its a load of crap and the main thing that made me decide was that I'd rather risk the vaccine than the full blown thing.
I am feeling crappy today but I was expecting some side effects from it.
The final deciding factor before booking in was that my baby will have immunity when its born (whereas only babies from 6 months+ can be vaccinated after birth).
Just thought I'd share my views!

I personally am against most vaccines...for lots of reasons that I won't go into now! But could I suggest searching for a speech made by Gary Null called Death By Medicine. Sounds scary but its very interesting and backs up my personal beliefs...

I found him as someone else posted on here and I'm glad that I have looked. Each to their own of course, I just think it's good for everyone to have as much info as possible and as many different views so that our personal decisions can be more educated ones. xxx

EDIT


Decided to take link off, as I can see how this thread is going to end up. Good luck hun with whatever decision you decide to take xx

Hollie and EternalRose, I'm curious as to why you'd take the word of people with absolutely no medical background over the WHO, and the medical authorities/associations of most first world countries? Please don't take that as a personal attack, I am genuinely curious.

I've done a lot of my own research, and have decided that the vaccine shows no documented risks to myself or my baby, while the swine flu itself certainly does. I've booked in to get it as soon as the doctors will let me, a week from now. I am however requesting Celvapan over Pandemrix, as I feel fewer additives doesn't hurt!

See above post

We have a preggo gal here in my neighborhood who currently has the flu and is in a coma. I suppose one fear overcame the other for me, and I signed up for it. My appointment isn't until November 23rd, but I would take it today if I could.

It truly is a personal decision. Good luck lovelies in deciding.

I am afraid of the vaccine quite simply because its been around for 5 minutes with no proof that it will not cause harmful side effects to my bub and because health professionals cant agree as a whole that all pregnant women should have it.

I would say that gp's, consultants, midwifes who are advising us against it are doing so for a reason - to go against government advice just for the heck of it seems silly, I feel like they know something I don't - especially when you hear of some healthcare professionals refusing the vaccine.

Im worried that the vaccine might leave me paralysed - extreme maybe, but somebody has to be the '1 in whatever' and since nobody has yet had their baby after receiveing the vaccine - we dont know if there are any side effects to the baby or what might happen years down the line - what if it does cause a problem? I know they are saying it wont but they have said this about other things before and then changed their mind.

This is by far the most difficult thing I have had to consider for a long time, because of course I am also thinking I should protect myself from swine flu now and worry about side effects later.

However, I did this morning decide I wasnt going to have the vaccine. 100% clear in my mind because of various reasons, but as usual I am having doubt sneaking back in and wondering if I should go ahead and do it. My appoinmnent is booked in for the 17th november, i guess im hoping for a sign from somewhere or someone between now and then to help me decide for sure.

I would add though - all the idiots out there who have no medical knowledge whatsoever who are offering there conspiracy theories are nothing but ridiculous and have no influeence in any decision I make and would advise pregnant mums who are battling with what to do not to read the trash they are babbling on about!!

x