Today at our 18 week appointment the doctor asked about whether or not I had gotten my flu shot yet. I knew this question was coming, because it comes every year, pregnant or not, if I go to the doctor prior to or during flu season. As a general rule I usually avoid most adult vaccinations (Flu, HPV, etc.), but now that I'm pregnant I feel like I have a lot more to consider. As the doctor so kindly pointed out, "you're pregnant, you could die from the flu"and if I manage to make it out alive all sorts of complications can happen with the baby if I run a high fever or dehydrate. On the other hand there are a multitude of reasons not to get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine isn't approved for children under the age of 6 months, so why should I feel safe injecting it into me, and subsequently my developing fetus? In addition, flu vaccines (most vaccines) contain mercury or thimerosal, a mercury like substitute. Not something I want in my body, and especially not in the baby's body. (Which is why you should all stop eating/drinking things with high fructose corn syrup in it! It's processed with mercury!) Some research suggests that vaccinations are linked to autism, but a quick google search shows that this belief is highly debated. The question is who do you believe? One of the biggest cons is that the flu vaccine far from guarantees protection against the flu. The vaccine contains 3 different strains of the flu which are thought to be most common for the upcoming flu season, but the H1N1 outbreak showed us that this doesn't mean much when a new strain (or old, dormant strain) pops up. This years seasonal flu vaccine does contain the H1N1 strain, which has had a slew of bad press over the quick release and lack of testing of that vaccine. There are also rumors that the H1N1 vaccine can cause miscarriage. In spite of all of this, I 'd like to believe that the flu vaccine is a good thing, I like the idea of not dying. So, I've been looking for some legitimate trials testing the short term/ long term effects of the flu vaccine on pregnant women and babies, but I haven't been able to find much (admittedly, I haven't put too much time in). And I'm getting frustrated because I feel like I need to make a decision soon! If anyone has any input, ideas, info, I'd love to hear it!
Eli and I will write a way more fun 18 week post soon, with the new pics!
Don't do it! I always get sick after I get mine and i have obviously never been pregnant. To me it does not seem like a good idea you stay healthy baby stays healthy! wear long wool socks and a hat every time you step outside!
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