Hellobee Boards

Pregnant women are actually encouraged to get the flu shot MORE than people who aren't pregnant. When there is a shortage the available doses go to preggies and elderly people. My OB was pretty insistent. I didn't fight because I agree with her stance, but I know she feels really strongly about all of her patients getting a flu shot. Also, if you are like me and your baby will be born while flu season is still going, your shot will protect them once they are born.

I believe it is actually encouraged when you're pregnant.

I would double check with your doctor, but mine said to absolutely get it, and so did everything I read online. Basically, it's a lot worse for the baby if you actually get the flu while pregnant than if you get the shot. And the shot doesn't contain live virus (but don't get the nasal one--that one might? or somehow it's more risky). Keep in mind that once you get your flu shot, it takes 2-3 weeks to become effective, so if you're thinking of getting it you should probably go ahead and do so rather than waiting. I have heard that it does provide immunity to your newborn as well, and I don't think they'll give babies a flu shot until they're at least 6 months old so that's really the best way to protect them while they're very young.

@shopaholic: Just make sure you get the thimerosol-free one.

I got the flu shot with my first pregnancy, and already got it for my 2nd.

@shopaholic: You can also get it at pretty much any pharmacy. Just make sure you tell them you're pregnant.

It's not a *live* virus...

My OB office starting pushing it on me as soon as they verified my pregnancy. I finally gave in and got it two weeks ago at my 12 week appt. I've felt completely fine!
And it's not a live virus so you aren't injecting yourself with the flu and it doesn't harm the baby. It's highly recommended for pregnant woman, children and the elderly.

Mine said the same as @Smurfette's, that it was even more important now that I'm pregnant that I get the flu shot and Hubs needed to too. She also said that anyone who was going to be around the baby those first few months should have the flu shot, although I think March is the tail-end of flu season, so hopefully we'll be okay by then.

I got it yesterday and they refered to the one they gave me (and all pregnant women) as "the dead virus"! I felt pretty bad ass :). I felt a little achey last night, like a fever sort of, bit am totally fine!

I was pregnant during the H1N1 scare and that was the first time in my life I got the flu shot, but my OB/GYN was pretty insistent about it. I also got it while pregnant with DS and I didn't get sick from it at all.

You should totally get it.

So I'm obviously in the minority here, but I don't really believe in the effectiveness of the flu shot. I'm pregnant, and I won't be getting one this season. I've never gotten one, and I haven't had the flu since I was 7 years old.

I got mine the first day it was offered. Pregnant women can get especially sick with the flu.

I got it at my 8 week appointment. My OB strongly recommended it and I didn't have a reason not to get it. I hate needles but they were already drawing blood so they just lumped it together. I almost got sick in the parking lot but that was from them taking blood. I also got the different one that's made for pregnant women.

I have never gotten the flu shot and don't ever want to. All I'll say is I found this article and it's evidence definitely proved to be true for me.

http://www.naturalnews.com/029760_vitamin_D_influenza.html

I got it at my OB...I almost got it at target but my OB said they had the thimerisol free version. And as a bonus it covers LO

Everyone saying yes here confuses me, and makes me re think my choice not to get it. I had to ask my OB, they did not mention it, and although he said I could get it and a lot of Drs recommend it, he said he personally would not if he was the pregnant one. He doesn't believe there has been enough research on the "safe" flu shot to determine if it really is safe. He did inform us of all the risks of having the flu while pregnant and left it up to us. I had the flu last year but before that it had been years since, I have not done a ton of research on it so I was ok with not getting it.