Seeking Opinions on the H1N1 Vaccine While Pregnant

My opinion is for NO-ONE to EVER take this or any other similar vaccine that the gov't is pushing! It is the FLU, no worse than the standard flu. You get sick and you get better unless you have underlying medical conditions. If you and your children are healthy, then just keep washing your hands and stay away from sick people.
Worse case scenario is you getting the shot and end up losing your baby and you will have to live with the guilt (although displaced) all your life. You and your family do not need this shot. Anything the gov't forces, FORCES, on us is not in our best interest. Have you noticed how fast the FDA approved this vaccine when it takes YEARS for cancer drugs or over the counter meds to be approved?! Follow your gut reaction and keep your family safe. I'm all for MMR/Chicken pox, etc vaccines, but this H1N1 vaccine AS WELL as that Gardasil vaccine is dangerous. Look that one up while your at it...I hope you make the right choice.

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If I were in your situation I would go with my gut. In my experience the "gut" is never wrong.

Also, a cautionary note: Be sure that all websites you read are accredited by the American Medical Association (AMA), otherwise you may be getting information that is inaccurate, and in some cases false and malicious. When you are researching medical treatment the last thing you need is to be terrified of something that can be potentially life-saving or life-changing in one way or another. You can usually find out which sites are 'safe' by looking on the site of the company that manufactures whatever treatment you are researching. The manufacturers usually provide links to sites with accurate information because they don't want you getting that false information anymore than you want to go forward with any type of medical treatment without having knowledge about what you are about to go through with.

Good luck and congratulations on the new baby!

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Hi J.. I was very interested in your question and responses. I am in the exact same situation. I am 21 weeks pregnant with a 5 year old and a 3 1/2 year old at home. I have been driving myself (and my husband) crazy trying to figure out what to do. I have basically come to the conclusion that I am going to get it...I say basically because that may change with the responses I read. I weigh pros and cons...Do I get it and risk the chance of harming my baby, or do I not and risk leaving my two children without a mommy?? I met one lady today who had been exposed, and I caught myself holding my breath til I was out of the room with her. I have a good friend who has two children who have had it. A lady at my church has a 16 year old daughter who has it now. It seems to be everywhere, so what to do?? There are no guarantees of long term effects, and there are no guarantees that you won't get it anyway, so there is no easy answer. I think you should just go with your gut instinct. I think that's what I'm going to do...and I may be sitting in the doctor's office before I decide for sure!! But also, as for people who have died because they didn't get help quickly enough, there was a 5 year old who died after having the virus for 3 days (and the last one was spent in the hosptial), so I don't buy that. I think it just hits some differently than others. Good luck to you.

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Pregnant women have a higher risk of complications should they get the swine flu. (Please see link below.) The CDC is testing the H1N1 vaccine on pregnant women now. Watch the results from that for a good month. My advice, if they have not seen bad side effects from the testing, is to get the vaccine in late October.

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/clinician_pregnant.htm

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Don't know if this will help your decision or not, but I actually work for the vaccine research program at a local hospital and we are currently doing the H1N1 vaccine trials. I do all the data entry for our volunteers receiving the vaccine and immediate side affects are no worse than getting the regular flu vaccine - soreness at injection site being the most common for just a few days. Very few people have had even moderate side affects such as headaches or just generally not feeling great and all were gone within 7 days post vaccine.

True we cannot state long term side affects yet and it does seem that it is being pushed out fast, but we are not the first country running these vaccine trials. China is actually the ones stating that only one dose is needed. We are still running blood work on adults and children to see if one or two doses are actually needed. We just started enrolling pregnant women this week, but that is the hospital I work at - there are at least 13 sites around the country testing on various schedules. Every report I have read and doctor I have spoken with has stated that the long term risks are no greater than getting the regular annual flu vaccine. The CDC is rushing this vaccine so quickly because they do want to control the possibility of mass outbreak.

I personally felt safe enough with the vaccine that I enrolled my son (21 months old) in the trials. My daughter (4 years old) would have been enrolled as well, but her age group was filled quickly. My son has been fine with both vaccines he has received. The worse side affect being a little tenderness for a couple of days with the first shot. Otherwise he has been perfectly fine. Pregnant or not, I know I will be getting the vaccination when the release it as well as getting my daughter and husband vaccinated. Besides not wanting to take the risk of getting ill, I simply can't afford missed time at work or medical expenses of having a sick family right now. All things that may also weigh in on your decision.

Ultimately the decision is up to you and your husband. I understand your fears - on one hand don't get the vaccine and chance getting sick and worse case scenario, die; on the other hand, get the new vaccine without knowing the long term affects to your unborn child. No one is going to push this on you. If you decide not to get the vaccination, then as everyone else stated, be smart and wash your hands (and your family's) frequently. Get plenty of rest, lots of fluids and take your vitamins. The biggest thing to watch for with the H1N1 right now is a high fever, especially if it comes on fast - call your doctor immediately. If you are really concerned when being out in public, don't be afraid to wear a surgical mask and rubber gloves. It's more important to keep you and your family healthy than worry about looking silly out in public. Generally anyone with high risk for infection should be taking extra precautions now with or without the vaccination and that includes pregnant women.

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From what I have heard, the medical community is recommending the H1N1 flu shot for pregnant women. I would also take other precautions such as using hand sanitizer and/or washing your hands consistantly. You may also want to wear a mask -N95 grade and make it seal around your face. Find out now what fever reducers you are able to take and have those handy. Keep hands away from your face at all costs. Stay away from sick people and crowds especially schools where it is a huge source of spreading. I know this sounds like common sense but a lot of people don't know this stuff. I would definately take the vaccine. I hope you deliver before a huge outbreak. Reconsider the vaccine. I don't think your OB/GYN would put you or your baby in jeopardy.

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J., maybe it's just me but I would not take a vaccine that was approved yesterday especially while I was pregnant. In a couple of years they will find side effects to this vaccine and who knows what they could be. The media has everyone panicked about the H1N1 virus. There really is no reason to panic. More people die from the yearly flu than have died from the swine flu.

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DON'T DO IT!!

It is way too new for anyone to be able to tell you it is safe. If you want a safer alternative to protecting yourself & your baby concentrate on immunity support like getting enough rest & using immune support supplements & great diet. (all pregnancy approved , of course)

I would find a good holistic health care practitioner for support. There are so many good Naturopathic Doctors (ND) these days. A good homeopath is another good choice. A little harder to find in some areas, but most NDs practice homeopathy.

That is exactly what I would do.

P. : )

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J.,

It is scarey with all the news on the seine flu going around. Let me first say that I believe in vaccines, but I don't rush into getting vaccines that have not been out very long. I got the regular seasonal flu vaccine and I am glad b/c my 2 boys got the flu and a week and a half later I got it. But b/c I had the vaccine the flu was mild. I did take Tamiflu and now I am almost totally recovered. That said, I am 28 weeks pregnant and am NOT getting the swine flu vaccine. It has not been out long enough for me and I personally feel they are just trying to get something out there to help limit the spread of it..which is helpful, but to me to quick. No one will be getting the shot in my family. I talked with my nurse practitioner and my OB clinic and they agreed with me on it being pushed rather quickly. I have asked several medical personnel and they said it is quick to come out.
Ultimately it is your decision. I would go with your gut feeling and not get it. Just do what you can to avoid the flu..wash hands, avoid crowds, people who you know are sick keep them away until they are better...all the precautions. Don't stress over it b/c that is not good for you or the baby. Make your decision and if you choose not to then don't let anyone...esp your OB dr...talk you out of it. No one knows what the reations will be to the shot.

I am 14 weeks pregnant and feel exactly the same way that you do. I am not sure what to do, but I am very skeptical of the vaccine. At first I was a little skeptical was kinda considering it. Then as I was watching the news the other day they were thinking you needed three shots and now you only need one shot. Now that really make me very skeptical, because they are not sure of the dosage. At this point I am really struggling in doing the shot. I have done all the birth defect screenings under the moon and my baby is very healthly and I hate that one shot will turn all that around, but then again like you, I do not want to get severly ill. I just want to let you know that you are not the only one out there that feel the same way.

Go with your gut. Unfortunately marketing plays much too big a roll in our health care system and folks treat vaccines like the season's newest purse style. If you do the research you will see that most people that have died from H1N1 were unable to care for themselves due to poverty so they waited until too late before seeking medical attention. I would say your risk is reasonable because no one can affirm that the vaccine is safe for your baby - there hasn't been time to study it. Be diligent about handwashing and limiting exposure (I knew someone who grabbed a handful of skirt before touching doorhandles). You and your baby will be fine. Fear compromises your immune system.

Besides if you died do you really think they will put, 'we told her so' on your tombstone? ;P

J., let me ask you this...would you get the regular flu vaccine if you were pregnant??? Unless your children are in daycare, and you are working in a healthcare setting, I'm not sure I would recommend the vaccine. Having said that, only you can make this decision. There are no reports of any complications from receiving the vaccine while pregnant, but how many babies do you think have been born since we have been working on this vaccine??? I don't think we have had enough time to really consider the chances. Personal opinion. Now, my family gets a flu vaccine every year...my 5 yr old son is a cardiac patient, has a pacemaker and mom is a nurse, so we are open to viruses. I'm still on the fence myself about getting my children vaccinated. Simply because of our cardiac situation....I still look at the H1N1 as any other flu virus, watch for symptoms, avoid crowds and people sneezing, and clean your house with disinfectant once a week or at least after you know someone has been in your house that has been sick. I frown on the alcohol hand gels, simply because I worry about creating more superbugs! I urge my kids to use them at school, but at home, we are all natural, soap and water! I don't know if this helps you or not, but be sure to stay hydrated, that seems to be the most important thing for those that have been extremely ill from this virus. And pay attention to your body! If you don't feel good rest and hydrate and pop some vitamin C. Try not to worry too much, it really is like any other flu virus we have dealt with before, after all we have new strains every year and no one gets excited!! This strain is simply surprising because of it's make-up. Those who have lost their lives also did not seek medical attention soon enough...that's the key. Best of luck and relax!!! You have enough to deal with with a new baby and those two little angels that are keeping you busy!!!

J.,

Please listen to your gut on this one. My son had a severe vaccine reaction at 6 months of age. Since that time I have spent years researching, and know that vaccines carry much more risk than benefit. All vaccines contain harmful additives which can cause dangerous adverse reactions including permanent injury and/or death. Also, there is no guarantee that the vaccine will prevent you from getting the flu. My mom has been a RN for over 25 years. She is generally the only one in her office that refuses the flu shot, and the only one who avoids getting the flu. Please do your research, because once you have a shot you cannot take it back. Here is some information on H1N1: http://www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/h1n1-swine-flu.... I hope this helps.

Take care,

B.

go to www.nvic.org and listen to what Barbara Loe Fisher has to say about H1N1 vaccines.

Let's not let the cure be more risky than the illness.

Great question...I am pregnant too...about 12 weeks...and have no idea what to do. Most of me says no...but I just haven't made up my mind yet...I also have a 20 month old...so it I decide I need it...I would feel bad not giving it to her also... They say 6% of the people that have died were pregnant...that doesn't really tell me anything though. What percentage of the population is pregnant at any given time...if it's about 6%...then there is no more risk than the normal person. Or...how many pregnant women have contracted H1N1...and how many have died...those are statistics I would like to see.

I also think you should go with your gut instincts. At the same time, you can take practical steps to minimize your exposure to H1N1. Wash your hands frequently, especially when you come home after being out, and make sure your children wash their hands also. Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth until you've washed your hands. Avoid crowds. Don't go shopping on the busiest days. Don't sit in crowded movie theaters.

I have a compromised immune system so I need to be careful every year during flu season (and they say H1N1 is really like the normal flu). With a little vigilance, I'm sure you and your children can avoid the flu.

Hopefully this will help :)

http://www.smartmedinfo.com/medical_news2.asp?id=276

The best thing you can do is eat lots of good foods and avoid preservatives and chemicals in foods. 100% Pomegranate juice does wonders for the immune system as well. It's made such a huge difference with my family that we'll never get off it :) Blueberries are great for your immune sytem as well. We make smoothies every day with:

1/2 cup pomegranate juice (POM makes a great one and can be found in most produce sections)
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup rice milk
1/2 to 1 cup other frozen fruits
1 banana (you can buy a bunch then freeze them as they start to get brown)
Then add water to it if needed.

And if you REALLY want an immune boost--add in 2-3 handfuls of baby spinach!

I am 28 weeks and plan to have it and the seasonal flu shot. Pregnant women are not necessarily at higher risk for GETTING the flu (in swine), but significantly higher risk of complications with the swine flu. I have always steered clear of just about every drug during pregnancy, but not the flu shot.

Just one girl's opinion....