Pregnancy and H1N1 Vaccine

Hi J.,

I won't get nor my 3 year old daughter. This vaccine was rushed and is way too new. I am hearing that the ppl whom make the vaccine is not taking it and they dont want their families to take it. I am from the old school. A daily vitamin, extra vitamin C and lots of handwashing. I ask myself how come they aren't promoting precautions like this. All about money. I know someone that got the H1N1 last week and she recovered just fine. Maybe I would think differently if my daughte or myself had asthma, I dont know. Just my opinion

I am 17 weeks pregnant. I have not got the shot yet, but my doctor tells me its a good idea and recomended. The thing is trying to find any. I know AACounty has none.

I am also about 10 weeks pregnant and I have been hearing from my doctor, CDC, TV and everyone around me that I HAVE to get the H1N1 vaccine. My husband really doesn't want me, or our 21 month old daughter to get one either. Our concerns, as I am sure yours are, is that this vaccine has not been around long enough to test LONG TERM affects. I did some research on my own and came across a lot of other women that were questioning the vaccine, and the affects. One that had a lot of info on both sides was MomsCafe.com. One woman stated that on the vaccine packaging, it states that only women that have a reason (like preconditions etc) should be getting the vaccine. Look up the article for yourself to get the exact quote. I feel like the are lumping us all together "all pregnant women" to cover "their" (doctors, CDC, vaccine companies) backs. I am not going to get the vaccine, but this is my personal choice. I believe that you should search on line and get the information for yourself so that you can make a decision that you feel good about. I just wanted you to know that you are not the only one out there concerned about the vaccine, and the frantic frenzy to get the shot. I hope you find the answer that you can feel good about, and don't feel pressured to do something that you know isn't right in your heart. All the best!

First I'd go look at the EPA website and their recommended allowable daily limits on mercury for pregnant women and think about all the times you have heard how pregnant women shouldn't eat much tuna because of it. Then go over to the CDC website and look at the amount of mercury in the vaccine you will see it's much much higher and ask yourself if you can't eat tuna because it could be high why would you inject yourself with mercury and how can that be safe for your baby.

Then think about if you have ever met or heard of anyone with gulf war syndrome and note that one of the causes of that is squalene. And ask yourself why squalene is in this vaccine.

Thirdly just google CBS news and swine flu and you will find where CBS found out that the CDC is lying about the reported cases and deaths associated with h1n1and that the CDC told states to stop testing for it back in July and also that in 90% of these documented cases that they weent tested for h1n1 but just the flu in general.

Then being pregnant the best book as a mother I read was how to raise a healthy child in spite of your dr by dr mendholson get a copy read read read. Start doing your vaccine research now look at who pays for these studies on the vaccines look who is the biggest supporter of the american academy of pediatrics you will find in almost all cases it's the pharmaceutical companies nd then ask yourself whose best I terests they really have.

If I can help one mother not go through what u did and nit have to hold their beautiful 2 month old babies body in their arms while blue and lifeless from the complications of a vaccine then I have honored my daughter.

Best of luck.

I would absolutely NOT recommend getting this vaccine! It was put together so quickly and there has been no research that it can even keep you from getting the swine flu, like the seasonal flu vaccine- you can still get sick even if you get the shot! And also you can not be certain it won't cause any effects to your baby. Plus there are tons of mercury in the swine flu vaccine, even more than the seasonal flu vaccine which can cause problems with your unborn baby. The media is just trying to scare pregnant women into getting this shot. Also your doctor gets paid extra for every vaccine he/she gives out, so really is not looking out for your best interest. You know how you aren't suppose to eat lots of fish, tuna, seafood while pregnant because of the mercury so why would you inject your body, as well as your baby, with terrible toxins. It's the same thing! Just keep yourself healthy by taking vitamins, supplements, Probiotics and washing your hands- just take extra precauctions. Also check out this website for more info, it's very helpful:
http://homefirst.com/

I have been reading a lot about this issue. Many pregnant women have died from H1N1, or lost their babies. The vaccine is just a variant of the flu shot people have been getting for years, and there has been a specific clinical trial of the H1N1 shot on pregnant women. The CDC highly recommends it. Read this article in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/health/20pregnant.html?...
I have never had a flu shot in my life, but I am 26 weeks pregnant and getting the H1N1 shot this year.

I am 32 weeks pregnant and I did get the vaccine. I was also hesitant to get it as I prefer to go with natural remedies, etc rather than put more chemicals in my body. However, after my daughter was hospitalized last year for the seasonal flu, we have started getting the flu shots. We weren't sure about the h1N1 shot until I talked to several doctors who all said that the risk of the getting the H1N1 virus are higher than the risks associated with the vaccine. The vaccine is made the exact same way as the seasonal flu shot - its just for a different strain. My daughter's ped has already given the shot to her entire family (3 kids, the youngest being just under 2 years old).

It has to be your decision ultimately - but I wanted to share my concerns and logic for getting it.

Good luck!

i would not.
the risks for the vaccine are much higher than the risks for swine flu.
khairete
S.

Why even take the risk of getting the H1N1? I, personally, would get it if it were available to me. I'm not in the "at risk" categories though. You should really consider it. Hope you do! God bless, and take good care!!

congrats on the pregnancy! my family doesnt get flu shots, regular or otherwise. they are too unpredictable and never the same, and the side effects can be crazy bad... i'm a total germophobe... my children have never had the flu, and i havent had it since high school... UNTIL THIS YEAR. i still dont regret NOT getting the regular or h1n1 vaccine, but ALL FOUR OF US, myself being 30 weeks pregnant at the time, got H1N1... i freaked at first (how did this happen?!) but honestly, it was the same as the regular flu. we all only had a fever for 24 hours, and got over it VERY quickly. maybe we were lucky, maybe we have super immune systems... but H1N1 isnt as scary as they make it seem. im glad i took my chances with that as opposed to taking a long risk chance with an unknown vaccine.

I got the seasonal shot during both my pregnancies, and get it every year regularly and for my babies. This is the same shot, just a different virus strain. I am an advocate of protecting yourself and recommend tha tall the adults who will interact with the baby be vaccinated since the baby can't receive the vaccine until after this season and will be vulnerable after birth. Talk to your doctor about it - I always thought you had to wait until the second trimester, but I think they are so worried about H1N1 complicaitons that they aren't asking women to wait. Also, I ownder if having the vaccine gives the baby some shared immunity?? Good luck wiht your pregnancy!

As evil as some people think big pharma companies are, they don't make money by killing off their cash cow - their patients. When I was pregnant, I got my annual flu shot. We were healthy and I breast fed him long as I could to give him the benefit of any antibodies I could pass on to him. This H1N1 flu is particularly dangerous to children. You have no idea who around you will have had their shots or not, and you and your child will be exposed to it. All you can do is protect yourself as best you can.

Go here, read up on all the risks, then make an informed decision:
http://www.generationrescue.org/desiree_jennings.html

I am pregnant and absolutely not getting the H1N1 shot. Everyone needs to make their own decision though so you are at peace with it. I have found The Vaccine Book (you can find it on line) by Dr. Sears, to be a good resource on making decisions on vaccinations.

Good luck!

I believe you can get a mercury free vaccine.

Honestly, I'm on the fence with this myself. I'm not a big advocate of the flu shot regularly because I feel with proper diet, rest, and good hand washing your body will do what it does naturally and fight bacteria. This year, I did get a flu shot because of being pregnant and having a 3 year old. I'm someone concerned with the mercury preservative in regular flu shots, so got a preservative free shot.

In terms of H1N1, I've read and heard it's the same as a flu shot, just the H1N1 strand wasn't ready yet to be included in the regular seasonal vaccine. They do make a preservative free vaccine format of this too, it's just more difficult to get ahold of. I'd ask your OB/GYN if they know of a resource or contact your local health department if this is important to you.

I know plenty of pregnant women that get (and have gotten) the regular flu shot (with the mercury) and I know there were tons of pregnant women standing in line this weekend at a local clinic for 4 hours to get the regular H1N1 shot.

You have to decide what you're most comfortable with. Whatever decision is going to leave you worrying less and not stressed is what you should go with.

I'm 32 weeks pregnant and got the H1N1 vaccine last Tuesday at my doctor's office. I never get the flu shot so I was a bit nervous, but decided I would rather get the vaccine then risk getting the actual virus. I'm still not getting the seaonal flu shot, but I recovered fine and had no complications from the H1N1 vaccine. It's a relief knowing that my baby and I are protected from this unknown virus that keeps spreading and infecting dozens everyday. Everyone has to make their own decision on what is best for them. I was nervous and not sure I wanted to get it, but I'm glad that I did!

I am almost 10 weeks pregnant and am planning on getting the vaccine. However, I am not getting it until after my first trimester. My OB feels very strongly that while the CDC is telling people that it is safe to get at any time during pregnancy, I should wait until my second trimester. The rationale is that testing on first trimester pregnancy is not being done for the vaccine so why take the risk. I understand the concerns of people who have posted below about the vaccine. I agree that there are aspects to be concerned about. However, I feel that the risk of not getting the vaccine outweighs the potential risks of getting it. I think the bottom line is that you have to make the decision that you feel comfortable with for your family. There is so much controversy in the information out there right now and it is frustrating. I'm just telling you what I've been told and my thoughts. Hope it helps.

Hi J.-

I am 31 weeks pregnant and I decided not to take the flu shots. My husband and I had such a hard time deciding this but I feel very strongly about it. I recommend you look on the list of ingredients (besides the mercury) and on the note that each vaccine product writes about the side effects. There are several sources (besides the CDC) out there e.g. independent, long experienced doctors all over the states, who are warning pregnant women to be cautious and do their research. I have heard of a couple of miscarriages after the H1N1 flu shot as late as 17 weeks into the pregnancy. Of course everyone has to make their own decision and most doctors will certainly recommend what their board or the CDC says. I am from Europe and even contacted my former family practitioner about these vaccines. In Europe doctors don't get sued like they get here and so they are more forthcoming with individual recommendations. Both my family practitioner and my former OB did recommend I don't take the shots. After all it is a personal decision and I decided to finish my job sooner since I was working in school settings. I am boosting my immune system with good food, extra sleep etc. I wish you all the best. So far I have learned in my pregnancy (first one :)that it seems to be best to listen to my instincts and if that would be that I absolutely trust my OB and his recommendations I would get the shots. I still trust my former doctors and their approach to pregnancy and vaccines so I decided the other way.