I think I saw a thread about this the other day. When I went for my 24 week appt, the Dr. mentioned that flu shots would be availble to the pregnant women and highly recommended it. I'm getting mine next week with hubby. Anyone else?

I normally get one as I have asthma, but have been advised not to this year as I'm pregnant

...That could be because I tend to get pretty poory afterwards though. I don't react very well to them for some reason - but I do keep retty much colf & flu free all Winter..

I'm having mine tomorrow. I get one because of asthma too, and asked the doctor and he said it was also recommended for pg women.

Louiselou - I'd double-check with your gp if I were you.

I'm seeing a different one on wednesday so will ask him instead. Had to go to A&E last year though - my arm swelled up and puked my guts up. But that injection had some sort of menningitus vaccine in as well so I'm assuming it was that.

At my midwife appointment on Friday she said no way should pregnant women have it, I just looked at her and said can you go and ask the doctor. Oh and she came back in saying oh sorry doctor says its vital you have it this year as well seeing as you are pregnant...................but because I have the flu I have to wait lol

I was the one who started the other post on flu shot. I had mine last week as my GYN asked me to get it. I've done some research on the net. Most of the doctors and professional bodies strongly recommend flu shots for pregnant women because flu in the third tri can lead to complications. There was also a study which shows that it helps the newborn to develop immunity to flu till 6 months ( then they too will be able to get shots if required)

Now the downside: There are some who argue against the shot because the vaccine contains a preservative called thimerosal- a mercury based preservative, which can lead to fetal defects. However, CDC, ACOG etc. says its wrong and there is no proof to support this. Still, California, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, New York and Washington have banned the use of Thimerosal-containing flu shots in pregnant women. So when I went for my shot, the nurse asked me about the pregnancy and gave me the thimerosal-free vaccine. I guess you can ask for thimerosal-free vaccine in other states as well.

Also, I had a tough time after the shot. My arm was sore, I vomited for a day. Got cough, stuffy-runny nose and a bad sore throat for 3-4 days. I went to my doc thinking I've got some infection and she examined me and told me that I've no infection but its just the reaction to the flu shot.

No one's even mentioned it to me!

My doctor said to get it as well. I will be asking to get the thimerosal free one if we have it here or I will wait until they can get it for me. I have been lurking in some threads in another forum that have been discussing the links between child hood immunizations and autisum. It has me freaked out. I will be doing and asking for all the things thimerosal free and delayed.

or me, i think i might ask at my next mw appointment, see what she says

x