H1N1 & Pregnancy: Swine Flu & Pregnant Women
Submitted by mamaluv
It's October, and I'm due in early December. And all this talk of the swine flu is freaking me out a little bit. Okay, a lot. As if pregnancy doesn't give me enough to worry about, now I've got to make a decision about whether or not I should get the H1N1 vaccination.
On one hand, I worry about the risks of getting vaccinations during my pregnancy. (Are they safe for me & my baby?) On the other hand, scary news stories about swine flu make me want to stir up a pot of flu shot myself!
And I know I'm not alone. Lots of pregnant women are freaking out about the issue. My OB/GYN says many of his patients are asking him about the flu shot. And the message boards are buzzing about it, too. Some pregnant women who want the flu shot are practically kicking down doors trying to get themselves vaccinated, while other women are even considering postponing trying to conceive because of H1N1.
It's kind of nice to know I'm not the only one who's freaking out, but, at the same time, what I really want are some answers that will help me make the best decision for myself and my baby. So I did some research and here's what I learned:
On one hand, I worry about the risks of getting vaccinations during my pregnancy. (Are they safe for me & my baby?) On the other hand, scary news stories about swine flu make me want to stir up a pot of flu shot myself!
And I know I'm not alone. Lots of pregnant women are freaking out about the issue. My OB/GYN says many of his patients are asking him about the flu shot. And the message boards are buzzing about it, too. Some pregnant women who want the flu shot are practically kicking down doors trying to get themselves vaccinated, while other women are even considering postponing trying to conceive because of H1N1.
It's kind of nice to know I'm not the only one who's freaking out, but, at the same time, what I really want are some answers that will help me make the best decision for myself and my baby. So I did some research and here's what I learned:
1) Swine flu is scary, but the risks to pregnant women are real. It turns out that pregnant women who get H1N1 (or any flu) are more likely to get sicker from the flu than other people. More chance for serious health problems, more likely to be admitted to the hospital, more likely to have serious illness or, gulp, death… If you are pregnant and you have symptoms of the flu (fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting), it's important that you call your doctor right away.
Um, yikes. So how can I protect myself?!
Um, yikes. So how can I protect myself?!
2) The flu shot is the single best way to protect against the flu. So, basically, while hand washing & avoiding sick people are still important, the flu shot is the best thing going. The CDC advises pregnant women to receive BOTH the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot.
Got it, but hold the phone. Vaccinations can be dangerous, right? Remember that whole mercury thing?
Got it, but hold the phone. Vaccinations can be dangerous, right? Remember that whole mercury thing?
3) Millions of pregnant women have gotten the seasonal flu shot over many years and seasonal flu shots have NOT been shown to harm pregnant women or their babies. The H1N1 shot is being made in the same way as the seasonal flu shot, and in the same laboratories. The H1N1 shot is currently being studied by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
4) According to the CDC, there is no evidence that the mercury preservative, thimerosal, is harmful to pregnant women or fetuses. However, vaccine companies are making preservative-free seasonal flu vaccines and H1N1 vaccines for pregnant women and young children.
Sweet! One less thing to worry about! So, say I decide to get the shots, what else do I need to know?
Sweet! One less thing to worry about! So, say I decide to get the shots, what else do I need to know?
5) Pregnant women should get the flu shot, not the nasal mist. The flu mist is NOT approved for use in pregnant women.
6) Flu shots can be given at any time during your pregnancy. It is also safe to get both the seasonal and the H1N1 flu shot at the same time, but they should be given at different sites.
7) Many pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreen's are offering up seasonal flu shots at minimal costs. But there have been reports of shortages and long lines, so check first! However, as the H1N1 shots gets rolled out, you'll probably have to see your doctor.
After I'd gotten answers online (Thank you CDC!), I talked to my doctor, who helped me make my ultimate decision. If you're still struggling with your decision, I recommend you do the same and talk to your doctor about it.
As for me, I'm getting both flu shots. After talking to my doctor about the risks of not getting the shots (Um, potential death?) versus getting the shots (Hello! Not death!), I had the context that I need to make a quick decision and stop weighing it over and over in my head.
And don't worry, the shots I'm getting will be the ones from my doctor... not the ones I cooked up in the kitchen with Babe!
What about you? Are you getting your flu shots? Leave a comment below or join the conversation on the Pregnancy Message Board!
7) Many pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreen's are offering up seasonal flu shots at minimal costs. But there have been reports of shortages and long lines, so check first! However, as the H1N1 shots gets rolled out, you'll probably have to see your doctor.
After I'd gotten answers online (Thank you CDC!), I talked to my doctor, who helped me make my ultimate decision. If you're still struggling with your decision, I recommend you do the same and talk to your doctor about it.
As for me, I'm getting both flu shots. After talking to my doctor about the risks of not getting the shots (Um, potential death?) versus getting the shots (Hello! Not death!), I had the context that I need to make a quick decision and stop weighing it over and over in my head.
And don't worry, the shots I'm getting will be the ones from my doctor... not the ones I cooked up in the kitchen with Babe!
What about you? Are you getting your flu shots? Leave a comment below or join the conversation on the Pregnancy Message Board!
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