Flu Shot During Pregnancy - Westmont,IL

Updated on November 27, 2008
J.Z. asks from Bloomingdale, IL
20 answers

Hi moms! I have been up all night wondering if I made a potential harmful decision for my baby. I am 7 weeks pregnant and by OB strongly suggested I have a flu shot (at the office) to protect me, my unborn baby and my 2 yr. old who cannot get the shot because of allergies. The nurse said she was pretty sure that the shot was thimerisol free (mercury) but she wasn't sure. I ended up getting it because they seemed insistant that it was the best thing to do. I am scared now that the shot shot and the mercury in it will be harmful to the baby. Have any of you had a flu shot when pregnant? Did it harm your babies at all? I didn't get one with my first child so I'm very nervous right now. Please help calm my nerves!

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L.P.

answers from Chicago on

I got the flu shot and I am pregnant with my third. I did get the shot with my second and he is perfectly healthy and smarter than I could have imagined a three year old could be! Relax, you'll all be fine. Imagine the hard you would be doing to all of you if you got the flu.

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A.C.

answers from Chicago on

I got the flu shot last year while pregnant, and I have a healthy, (chubby!) 7 month old. Don't worry, you will both be fine. Congrats!

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

I got the flu shot last year and my almost 8 month old is fine.

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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

You will be fine...it is normal to worry a lot during pregnancy! I did too! I had a flu shot and everything was fine. I actually wanted the flu shot, because I thought having the flu could be a lot worse for my baby.

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G.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi J.,

I received the flu shot with both of my pregnancies and had no resulting problems. My first trimester each time was in flu season, so my OB highly recommended that I get the shot. I am sure that you will be fine as the CDC actually recommends that pregnant women get the flu shot. I had the flu when my newborn was 6 weeks old and it was awful (I had not gotten my updated flu shot for the new flu season at that point). Best of luck to you with your pregnancy!

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D.W.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, I have had the flu shot while pregnant. I have auto-immune issues which is why the shot and my baby is fine.

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T.O.

answers from Chicago on

Hi J.,
My Dr. said I didn't need a flu shot, but I could get one if I wanted. I didn't b/c my husband was very concerned about the mercury in the shot, BUT everyone I know that is pregnant DID get the flu shot. I know people who were pregnant and got the flu shot and their children are just fine. The main reason I didn't get it this year is b/c my husband had a horrible virius days after he got the shot and was hospitalized (the Dr. said he got a virius, not a reaction to the actual shot.) He was terrified that I would also get sick and that would be worse for the baby then me not getting it. The Dr. was indifferent so I didn't since my kids got them. I'm sure everything will be just fine. Like I said...almost everyone I know who is/was pregnant has gotten the flu shot. Have a great Thanksgiving and don't worry! :)

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T.C.

answers from Chicago on

Different issue, same worry.... When I was 4-5 weeks pregnant, b/4 I knew I was, I had dental x-rays. I was paranoid for a long time that they would do something to the baby. Well, the baby is 1 mo. old & is fine. Discuss your concern w/ your ob & pediatrician. After that, try to forget about it. I'm sure it's fine...if your ob recommended it, it should be safe.

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L.C.

answers from Chicago on

I got it while pregnant with both of my boys and it was fine. It would be more dangerous to get the flu while preganant.

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M.C.

answers from Chicago on

I got the flu shot during pregnancy with no problems at all. My daughter is perfectly healthy. Trust your OB. It would be much more harmful for you to get the flu during pregnancy! You did the right thing.

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P.P.

answers from Chicago on

J.,
There's way to much to worry about while you're pregnant, right? I'm at 33 weeks myself, and I got the flu shot because it was strongly recommended by my midwife. She offers both the regular and the preservative-free shot, and said that either is appropriate to use. You are absolutely fine. Don't sweat it. Trust me, there will be enough sweating when you get to the third trimester and you're hot all the time!

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M.B.

answers from Chicago on

I did get the flu shot at 12 weeks when I was PG with my daughter. Everything turned out fine. I actually ended up getting the flu too...which really stunk!
BTW, I am an ECSE teacher and I love it!

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S.B.

answers from Chicago on

The same thing happened to me 2 years ago. My daughter is completely fine now. In fact, my ob got really upset when I brought up the issue of mercury in the shots and that I was concernd. She said that the levels of mecury in the shot were so small and that the media really blew the issue out of proportion and caused a lot of fear in people. Now that I'm pregnant again, I asked her about the flu shot again and she said I definitely need one. This time, though, she said I should "try" to get one w/out mercury. I was confused as to why she seemed to have changed her mind, but she didn't want to explain. I assume she changed because she was tired of all thhe hype over the shots and decided to just go along with the common thought about the shots. If it was really important not to get the shots w/out mercury, I don't think she would have said to "try" to get the shot w/out the mercury in it. Who knows? Anyway, my daughter is fine and nothing happened when I got that flu shot two years ago with mercury while I was pregnant with her. Don't stress out about it. I'm sure you and your baby will be just fine.

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J.K.

answers from Chicago on

J., Congrats on your pregnancy! Whether there is mercury in the vaccine you recieved depends on what brand your OB's office uses. You can ask them for the vaccine insert to find out what's in the mixture.

I don't know a lot about the risk of flu or mercury to pregnant moms or unborn babies, but if you have the same questions about vaccinating your children, check out Dr. Sears Vaccine Book. He interprets the vaccine brand inserts, and discusses the pros and cons and controversies about each vaccine, and the risks associated with the disease. The book has really helped me ask the right questions at my kids' doc appointments. We also deal with allergies, so it helps with that as well.

No one in our family gets the flu shot. The rest of my family had the flu when our son was 2 weeks old, and neither he nor I got sick. Then I got strep throat and pneumonia when I was 4 months postpartum, and the baby didn't even have a runny nose. For flu, serious complications are very unlikely for babies, particularly if your baby will be exclusively breastfed and not in day care.

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T.V.

answers from Chicago on

J.-

There is so much controversy with all vaccines. You definitely have a right to be nervous. Do you actually know what is in all vaccines?? I am not going to list everything--just go to some very excellent websites to get the right information. 90% of all doctors do not even know what is in a vaccine. There are over 200 flu viruses. The shot only contains 4 of them. So the percentage that they even have the correct one is very low.

All vaccines have either mercury or aluminum or both which are very very toxic.

I have a vaccine section on my blog with proven research documents

www.originalgranolagirl.blogspot.com

www.vaclib.org

www.homefirst.com

www.holisticmomsnetwork.org

Let me know if you have more questions. You can take vitamin d3 thru the winter which is even more effective than any shot or medication.

In great health!!

T.
Detox Coach

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R.H.

answers from Chicago on

I got the flu shot while pregnant and my baby girl is absolutely fine.

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D.Y.

answers from Chicago on

I had the flu shot when I was pregnant and have no idea if it had the mercury in it or not because I got it at work (I worked in a hospital). My doctor had to write a note telling them it was okay to get the shot. I now have the most beautiful and perfect 2 1/2 yr old. There were absolutely no problems. If your doctor is not worried you shouldn't worry. And remember....your body processes everything before it gets to the baby so your body takes the brunt of all of it. Relax and enjoy your pregnancy. God bless and good luck with the rest of it!!

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D.P.

answers from Chicago on

Yes - I got it while 4 or 5 months pregnant and I also got it recently with my second child, 2 days after giving birth (and breastfeeding exclusively. The (real) flu can be very, very dangerous for a baby.

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A.T.

answers from Chicago on

I got a flu shot last winter when I was pregnant with my twins. Everything was fine, no harm done to the babies or me.

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M.K.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, I received the flu shot during both my pregnancies and both children are perfectly fine! My kids and I receive flu shots every year, as does my husband. You did the right thing for you AND your baby! Great job Mom!!

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