Pregnant Mama and Toddler to Open Swim with No Flu Shots?

People have only been getting flu shots for maybe 5-10 years (at least the majority of people), and everyone used to go out before that (remember that some years the flu shot is only 40-60% effective anyway!)

My son has no immunizations and we go anywhere we want. I don't sit around worrying about what we might catch, it just doesn't do us any good. If he catches the chicken pox, then we'll get through it and won't have to do it again later. You know? I say, go do what you want and have fun!

Most clinics should have a flu shot specifically for pregnant women. I got my first flu shot when I was pregnant. It was specially formulated for babies and pregnant women, and we suffered no ill effects. In fact, I think my baby's brighter than most. You might want to look into it.

I have a friend whose daughter recently was diagnosed with mononucleosis who swears she got it at a public pool.

The flu shot is just for one kind of flu.. not all of them. We didn't get the flu shot and (knock on wood) haven't gotten the flu from the pool. There are some great places to go to get your little one out of the house.. Grandma Leeths, Me too, munchkinland, out of this world pizza.... I have a website that I JUST started www.thingsandplacesforkids.blogspot.com that is going to do reviews for these places and more as we go along... It's a slow start so keep checking back.

Your chances of getting the flu at the Market are just as great if not greater then the pool.

Good luck darling!!!!!!!!!!

Hi S.,

You should know that the flu shots are worthless. They are created with last year's strains and do nothing to protect you against this year's. Also, the majority of people who get seriously ill and die, die from pneumonia, not the flu, which flu shots do not protect you from. There is a ton of research out there that shows people who get flu shots get a lot sicker over the winter than those who do not. And as a parent the main concern and reason to not give your children or yourself a flu shot is the majority of flu shots contain 25mgs of mercury in the form of thimerosal. How much is that? It's considered unsafe for anyone under the weight of 550 lbs.

Vitamin D is an incredibly safe and effective fighter against the flu. Dosages are recommended on Dr. Mercola's website in the link below.

A great resource is Dr. Mercola's website. Here is a link on flu shots for you!

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/1...

On the idea of chlorine in the pool killing anything, it won't take care of airborn illnesses and it the changing rooms can be carriers of illness. But of course any location you go to that has a lot of children will expose you to illnesses. The good thing is this strengthens your children's immune systems.

I agree as long as you wash everyone's hands after going somewhere public and take care of yourself you'll be fine. I am 8 months pregnant with my second, my DD has had no vaccines yet. I always feel like I have a better immune system when pregnant. I have had one cold so far.

If my daughter gets sick I usually take an Emergen-C and acidophilus. I just try to boost my immune system. Oh and I have also never had a flu shot in my life and very rarely get the flu, actually I don't know if I have ever gotten the actual influenza virus in a long time.

Hey S. - My family hasn't been poked by anything, and we go wherever we want. The key is your healthy diet and lifestyle. You have natural immunities, and if you're like us, when you do get sick it lasts for about two days and your body destroys the bug!! From what I've read, going out and about only makes your immunities stronger and more wide ranging. (Of course, keeping in mind that you wash your hands and don't let little one put too much in her mouth!!)

Have fun and try not to worry!
js

I don't do flu shots either and am also pregnant with a toddler. We have to get out! We plan on going swimming as soon as I'm over morning sickness but we go to lots of other toddler activities in indoor settings. So far we've been lucky - as you said. Don't know that anyone else in our group does flu shots either...

Hey S.!
Congrats on your pregnancy! I come from a different opinion on immunizations- but I'll stay off my soapbox:)
So my advice- I would listen to your doctor, but if you really want to get out (and who could blame you!) wash your hands as often as possible. However, this will only take care of part of the problem. Influenza can be transmitted through the air also. For example, if someone is standing near you who has the flu and they cough or sneeze, the virus is blasted into the air and right into your lungs. That being said, infection could happen anywhere- grocery store, post office, etc. So unless you are going to stay inside all winter, there isn't really any way to protect yourself fully.
The shot only protects against three or four different flu viruses each season (the most infectious and 'popular' viruses get into the immunization). There are hundreds of different kinds of flu viruses and this is why some people still get the flu, even if they have had the flu shot.
On a side note- I understand there are flu shots available that are Thimerisol free (if this is what you are worried about). Good luck!
A.

S., surely you can find alternative fun to public swimming pools. I agree that you should wait. It isn't just influenza that's a concern; children who aren't fully immunized (for whatever reason) simply are not well-protected from a host of horrible diseases. If it isn't too cold, we go for walks. Down town Portland is great. Lots of places to go, and there's respite from the weather if it's needed. Striving for a simpler and more natural lifestyle is great, as long as it doesn't compromise the health of your kids - or any other kids. I wish you an easy and healthy delivery.

Go for it! I too am pregnant and won't get the flu shot this year, but we are taking our 19 month old swimming twice weekly. There are always going to be germs no matter where you go and I feel less exposed at the pool than I do holding the grocery cart handle.

Hi S.,

First, I agree completely with Candace A.

Having said that, it seems as though you've already decided you want to do it; you're just looking for success cases to boost your case w/ your DH! LOL I love to do that. If I'm wrong, mea culpa.

Basically, as others said, you can get sick anywhere. Do what makes you sleep well at night, and into the future. I personally cannot stay cooped up, and it's been a blasted cold winter here in Tacoma this year, so I'm less inclined to the walks and zoo idea. My DS-4 and I do swim classes twice a week at the Y; he's had a flu shot but not me, 8-mo preg.

As with any situation, you will make the right choice for you. Good luck and have fun!

Hi S.,

My note is not exactly an answer to your question but an adjunct just for you since you are pregnant. There are multiple peer-reviewed studies from Europe and Canada that show a correlation between exposure to chlorinated water (swimming, bathing, and showering) and increased risked of miscarriage. So I would advise you to find another activity besides swimming in chlorinated water. When I first heard about this out we were just trying to get pregnant and my husband, being the total skeptic, and I did even more research to find the actual studies and look for any studies that showed the opposite and we could not find any.

Good Luck!
S.

Hi S.,

It seems to me that you are already mitigating your risks as best you can. I say get out and live a little! Your unborn baby will be protected by you and your 1# will probably manage what ever cold you run into. You can't live in a glass box because that isn't living! You may want to talk to your doc about a vit C supplement for both of you to help fight off anything you may encounter.

Best of luck!

BTW, I am just returning to the farm myself. :-)

I think swimming is a great idea, and even though no one wants to get sick......i think you can't protect yourself from everything and getting some germs will help your immune system.
I would love to know how to find a doctor like yours, we have always only gotten criticized for not immunizing our almost 3 year old.

Hi S.,
I unfortunatly don't have any advice about your predicament, but am curious as to where you are farming. I have been farming in the snoqualmie valley for 6 yrs and have a project in the works down near puyallup. I always love making new farmy contacts. Would love to hear about your farm. ____@____.com
Happy almost spring,
Amy

Is she against it because you haven't had a flu shot or because you do very limited immunizations? Are the two connected? A lot of people do full immunizations but no flu shot. Since your doctor is on the same page with you already than I think it's probably best to listen to her advice, since she obviously isn't meaning to make a point to you because she disagrees.

Not going to the pool doesn't mean that you have to stay home all winter though. Aren't there other activities that don't involve jumping into a shared body of water? :) I personally wouldn't want to risk getting sick while pregnant simply because you can't take anything to mildly relieve your symptoms.

Good luck with whatever you do.

I agree that you can't just stay home to avoid illness. I would go to the pool. Keep in mind that you would need to DRINK GALLONS of the water to really be at risk since viruses are microscopic and there is SO MUCH water, clorine aside. Don't avoid indoor play areas either, your toddler needs the action and fun and so do you! Plus, it's bonding time and excersize.

I do need to say one thing however, while I agree and understand that you don't want to over-imunize, (I too do not get flu shots) I do beleive that pregnancy is the one time when I go ahead and get one, to protect the baby from dangerous flu strains. My OB says it's more important than when you are not pregnant. Just my opinion.

Hi, my son is around 2.5 and doesn't get flu shots either. He doesn't go to daycare so I don't worry about him catching a cold because his immune system needs to build up. My worry for you is the chlorine, originally invented to use at war against enemies and since found to cause asthma. Especially, in small children whose lungs are still developing. Now that my son is older I did take him to the pool 2 wks ago and I think he knows better not to swallow water but kids just accidentally do it. We'll probably teach him to swim at the lake. Good luck to you and have fun w/ your activities. In Anch. they have free ice fishing and give away poles and bait, the zoo, the imaginarium bouncing bears and Rascals where there is jumping, mazes and slides.

Some thoughts.

How about long walks in a stroller, or science experiments to see what is in the ground during the winter (dig up a shovel of earth), watch the weather and earth change during these long walks and give her some words for it.

I like swim lessons, but are you talking about general swimming or swimming lessons for two year olds? There will be fewer kids and moms at swimming lessons, but more chance of kids with kid germs.

The pool it's self is probably fine. You will be at greater risk from the changing room, door handles and rails to enter and exit the pool. I would recomend bringing hand sanatizer with you and try to avoid touching surfaces. Also bring your own towels.

What are some other things you can do? Go for walks, go to the zoo?
It is hard when you try to stay away from bugs because they are everywhere. We go to church and my husband gets sick, so we don't go to church. Have a child in a play at the high school, and the whole family gets it. Play areas are not that clean, and don't even think of a hands on museum.
It is THAT time of year.. yuck.

So think outside the box, what could you do? Why not bundle up and for a walk, or you can walk the mall.
I my kids loved the zoo. I don't know your area, so I could not come up with ideas.
You know what you guys like......
Good luck
B.

I would be terrified that something in a public pool could be passed on to my unborn also.

S.,
Your doctor is right. You have been misled into thinking that pools are clean just because they put chlorine in them. Our boys have swam all summer long and now our oldest is on a swim team in one of the adult. The pool that all the small children swim is icky to say the least. The facility complies with all requirements for sanitation, but there is still a chance that you can catch something.

Here is an article from their newsletter that might answer your questions:

- This is the most common error of all relating to pool sanitation. The truth is when you smell it, that's not chlorine.It really is ammonia compounds that are made by decomposing organic matter, better known as combined chloramines. These pesky irritants are also the source of the odor that most people label as chlorine. Free active chlorine (HOCI) has neither odor nor irritating qualities when combined chloramines are kept in check.

Also, my eye doctor has told me to stay away from the pool when I am wearing my contacts. She said that there are bacteria and mcroorganisms that can damage or even eat away at the eye if water is splashed in my eyes and get between the lens and eye.

So, the next time you go to your local community pool, put on a pair of goggles and take a look around in the water. It's disgusting.

Best of luck to you.

My son is a swimmer at the high school level and you'd think with all the chlorine he's dipped in every day that the flu bugs would just wash away... wrong. The swim team has had the flu march thru them like Sherman. So if you're not immunized, I'd stay away. Bundle your daughter up in her winter wear and go for walks. Fresh air is great. Middle of the day if you walk thru a park, play on the playground equipment, she'll get lots of exercise, fresh air and a healthy Mom. Your pediatrician and husband are wise to suggest that you stay away from the pool for now. Get, if you don't already have one, a good stroller that you run/walk fast behind. Take her for 'road trips' thru your neighborhood. You say you're farmers, let her go outside with you and turn dirt. Rake rocks and pile them up, when we don't have snow or rainy weather. Get a Wii and Wii fit or another activity game that all 3 of you can do together or separately. The pool isn't the only place where you'll come in contact with this nasty flu bug this year, so practice good hygene (hand washing, eating well balanced meals, lots of water) Best of luck!!! And congrats with Baby #2!

As someone who got the flu in February when I was pregnant with my son I would advise you to do everything in your power to stay away from it--I didn't get the flu shot (I don't know why my midwife didn't suggest one, and it never occurred to me!), but it was a horrible experience and I was miserable and then my husband was miserable--and when you're pregnant there's nothing you can take to feel better except a little Tylenol to keep your fever down so it doesn't hurt the baby. My son is perfect (of course), but I will never forget how terrible I felt if I live to be 100! All of my friends who are anti-flu shots have gotten one after having the flu the year before (we teach at a university so lots of bugs from the dorm-dwellers)...

Congratulations on baby number two. I am curious tho why Dr. and you agreed on no flu shots. As a healthcare worker and recent mom of second baby that was the first thing I asked for last flu season. Flu shots are considered very safe by most of the healthcare community and a neccesity especially for pregnant mommas. Despite the flu shot my first born and I received we both ended up with the influenza virus last year (she gave it to me, bless her heart) Luckily she was only sick, with a 104 degree temp., for 5 days. At 7 months pregnant I was sick for 4 weeks. You do not want this when you are pregnant. I lost weight, the baby was not growing and things were a little scary for awhile. I respect your decision to avoid immunizations but if I had made that choice I would have avoided all public places. Grocery stores, church and definantly public swimming pools included. Good luck with baby and your new farm.

I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but the only shot recommended during pregnancy is the flu shot. I see a naturopath instead of an MD, and am using a midwife this pregnancy instead of an OB, and they both (as granola as they are) still recommended a flu shot. That said, you probably have very different opinions about immunizations in general and I hope I am not sounding offensive.

I grew up in pools almost half my life! I never caught anything that was "going around" from the pool. Then again, my family always seemed to buck the majority of the colds and viruses that went around our schools. The worst I ever experienced was a plantar's wart on my foot after attending swim camp at a university one summer!

I think a lot of what people deal with health-wise is just the constitutions we are born with. My daughter is a formula-fed (not my first choice!), day care kid, and has had one cold in her two years alive. I have friends who breastfed exclusively til one year, stay home, and their kids are sick several times a year. But, their moms or dads seem to catch every little bug too. My husband and I both work in schools and are exposed to a lot of icky bugs, so perhaps all of our previous exposures have helped "immunize" ourselves and some of that was somehow passed along to my daughter?

Have you researched potential side effects of the flu shot? Is there even a flu bug going around the PNW right now? I know one of the concerns we had about immunizations was knowing that there are large immigrant communities in the Northwest and many of them have not followed immunization schedules. The potential for outbreaks being serious in our part of the country is greater--in which case if you are near any of those communities you should exercise caution.

In the meantime, get out with your little one. Eat healthy, wash your hands, get your rest and enjoy life! We take our daughter swimming pretty frequently and she absolutely loves it! Just wear your flip flops to avoid the floors ;)

My sister is a clinical pharmacist that is in charge of antibiotics in a hospital. She told me that the reason they are making such a big deal out of the flu this year is because the emergency antibiotics (tamaflu, etc.) they usually give to people who get the flu and have problems (like small children and pregnant women) don't work on this strain of flu. I don't think their has been an outbreak around here, but it's something to keep in mind.

I agree with your ped. and husband - don't take the chance with that 'personal coctail' of all those who had the shot and worse, FluMist which sheds for weeks.
Perhaps instead of public swimming, create fun with all the things around the house that can withstand water and be used creatively/with imagination. Perhaps bubbles too :)
Liz