I am 30 weeks pregnant and a teacher. I also have two small children (Kindergarten and 2 year old). I am planning on getting the H1N1 vaccine when and if it finally becomes available. I have discussed this with my OB and my husband and we all feel good about the decision to get the vaccine. I am curious if there are other pregnant women out there mulling over the same issue? What you have decided and why?
After doing a lot of research, talking it through with my husband, my OB, the school nurse where I teach and asking a lot of people questions, I have decided to go ahead and get the H1N1 vaccine (if it becomes available) as well as a regular flu shot. I actually settled on my decision when I realized that my newborn, although she will be breast fed, will not have the advantage of getting the vaccine and I need to protect myself so I can protect her. I think that both sides of the argument have valid reasons to get or not get the shot and this decision gives me the most peace of mind.
I'm not pregnant, but the Minneapolis Star Tribune contains another article on it. Page A8 if you have a hard copy (Oct. 2), but otherwise you can probably access it online. It sounds like H1N1 is hitting pregnant women hard.
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I agree with JL. This you need to do you research on because the health of your baby and you depends on it. This is a Flu that can be beat. The Shot is untested, that should send a flag in your mind. The site that JL has are good ones and I have more if you need them.
The Star Tribune had an article on this just last week! Here's the link:
Formaldehyde and Mercury need I say more. I just don't see how at any point in time it sounds o.k to ingest this stuff. I guess maybe I over react but why. I am currently 7 weeks pregnant and have been hounded by a few doctors now about the shots and I have done extensive research into the H1N1 and That is one that I definitely will NOT get. I am not a teacher but I do have a child in preschool so I hear you when it comes to the fear of it being brought home.
Wow, the comments after that article Gena mentioned are very interesting. I guess that is the unfiltered media. People are very leery of the toxic ingredients in these shots. Especially for an unborn baby.
Thanks for asking this. I'm curious too. I'm 16 weeks, and my OB recommends getting it. BUT, the trial was on 60 pregnant women--not a big sample size IMHO. Another friend of mine who is pregnant is going to wait a week or two after it comes out before getting it. I'm probably going to do the same thing, just to make sure everything goes well with pregnant women who get it right away. I just saw on CNN this morning that you're six times more likely to die if you get H1N1 while pregnant. (1% of the population is pregnant, but 6% of H1N1 deaths are among pregnant women.) So, it's not something to mess around with. But, I'd still feel better knowing that thousands of pregnant women got vaccinated before me!
I tend to go on the advice of my Dr and the CDC. Both are recommending it to pregnant patients. Currently the most cases seen of the flu are in fact H1N1 not the seasonal flu. We have to keep in mind that because new flu strands are added to the yearly flu vaccination they have the same amount of time to test this every year as well. Because the CDC recommends it and because the benefits out weigh the possible side effects I will be getting it.
