Tuesday, October 6, 2009

H1N1 Vaccine??

Okay....I am in a bit of a pickle right now and I was hoping to reach out to all of you and ask you for some advice. My OB wants me to get the H1N1 vaccine next week and I don't know what to do. Her reasoning is that 40% of pregnant women who get the disease, DIE. Even though I only have 3 weeks to go (2 at that point) she wants me to get it so that I will be "protected", thus protecting the baby from whatever Z and S bring home. Now I have already gotten the seasonal flu shot (and Z will get his first flu shot this year, S is against this but I am nervous about the baby).....so what do I do?

I have spoken with everyone I know in the medical field (nurses, doctors and pharmacists) and many of my friends who have spoken with their doctor's and the opinions are split down the middle. I have done some reading on the "webs" and watched the news and sources are split there too. I plan to do some more reading but I am so stressed over this that I wanted to reach out to all of you and see what you thought.

If you were pregnant, with only a few more weeks left to go, and had a toddler out at preschool....would you get it??

13 comments:

Jessica said...

Personally I wouldn't get the vaccine. For this reason http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1z7KSEnyxw

Poolside with the Girls said...

I have mixed feelings on this topic. I think if I were in your shoes I would hibernate with my child until the baby comes. Probably not the best plan but I would be confused as to what to do with all the conflicting info out there.

Theta Mom said...

Personlly, I wouldn't so it. It's too new. In fact, I was just tweeting about what was recently published in the Washington Post: "Some of the vaccine will be stored in multi-dose vials containing thimerosal, an antibacterial additive that contains mercury. But there will also be single-dose syringes without thimerosal, a substance that some assert is harmful to children." I wouldn't want to subject my baby to that.

S. said...

http://strollertraffic.com/

Interesting article here. I don't know, it feels riskier to do than not to. You are also one of the most in-shape, healthiest people I know. Asthma is the complication though, I was just told that anybody with asthma wheeziness "must" get it...I would say honestly, go with your instincts. Will you be more worried with it or without it? Oh, goodness I am NO help whatsoever...

Casa Murray said...

Absolutely not Jess. You only have a few weeks to go. I am almost 4 months pregnant and won't get it, but I personally have an uneasy feeling about it...

Lisa Anne said...

the radio was just talking about this and how we shouldnt get it. That there are foods we can eat like yogurt that will keep you healthy and from getting sick.

I would on the other hand trust my doctor and get it because I trust my doctor to do what's best for me and my baby. Maybe do some research and present the dilema you are having to your doctor and the two of you talk it out. That's probably the best bet. Talk out the pros and cons with your doctor.

Gretchen said...

Oh dear! What a predicament! I was watching Dr. OZ yesterday and he swears by it. He's getting the shot, however his wife is totally against it and is not. If it was me I would probably not do it. With only a few more weeks, if you can be even that much more extra cautious about germs - than it seems like it would be best not to do it. I wish I had a better answer! Good luck!

MamaB said...

Wow,

On the fence with this one...I am getting the flu shot and the H1N1 because I do have a toddler in daycare with an infant at home who is too young to get either vaccine, and since I'm nursing her I am the only line of protection she has. Considering my husband and I work all day and then have an infant exposed at daycare as well as an older sibling who can't keep her hands off the baby. It's the only way for me to go.

You have to trust in your doctor and your instincts if your uncomfortable getting the shot then don't. You know your body better than anyone.

MommyBrain said...

I am in this same dilemma ... but I have (maybe) 12 more weeks to go. My doctor is encouraging both flu vaccines for all three of us ... but we've never had any flu shots. I would hate to get sick and expose Baby Girl 2.0 to the H1N1, but this vaccine is scar-eey! Let me know what you decide!

Frugal Vicki said...

In all honesty, I would pull my toddler out of preschool and park my tooshie at home, making hubby use plenty of hand sanitizer and lysol spray. They have NO idea what this shot can due. Plus, my ped (I know you trust your OB, but I really feel like our pediatrician cares for our children as she does her own) doesn't want our son to get the vaccine due to the side effects. Apparently they carry higher risks than getting the flu. I would recommend going to the hospital or Dr. at the first SIGN of the flu. Good Luck! Following from SITS!

Nicolasa said...

No, I wouldn't get the vaccine. Like someone said, it's too new and you don't have much longer until the baby comes!

Thanks for your comments today. I agree that administration and colleagues make a big difference. Both of these are great and while there can be drama now and again (what work place doesn't have drama?) I am not sure if going to a different school would change anything. Something to think about though!

Sharon said...

I would not even hesitate to get it. Vaccines are incredibly safe, proven to SAVE LIVES and there is a tremendous benefit to you and your baby. There is SO MUCH RESEARCH SUPPORTING the use of vaccines that it's a no-brainer.

Why wouldn't you trust the CDC. Or your pediatrician? Or the WHO? There is no conspiracy theory here....

Polio - eradicated because of vaccinations

Typhus - eradicated because of vaccinations

Seasonal Flu - the vaccine saves over 100,000 lives a YEAR

H1N1 - HIGHLY recommended for pregnant women. Having worked in the medical industry for 15 years, I can unequivocally say, that the benefits will significantly outweigh the risks, both for you and your baby.

It' is so much easier to prevent the infection than it is to treat it. And, as you rightly said, the mortality rate for pregnant women is HIGH.

I would definitely do it and I plan to get the vaccine for myself and my son next week.

Kerri said...

Hi. I would 100% NOT get the vaccine. And I am NOT anti-vaccine. I think they are wonderful, life-saving things. However, this vaccine is too new. I have a neuro-muscular disease called myasthenia gravis. My immune system attacks my own nerves and muscles, so I take medication to suppress my immune system. I am, therefore, in the same category as you, as far as those who "should" get it.

There have been reports by neurologists that warn about Gillian Barre syndrome occurring in those who get the H1N1 vaccine, as they did in the laste 60's early 70's. There were tens of thousands of people who go Gillian Barre, which is curable, but you can die before you realize what's going on. You start getting paralyzed from the feet up, so you need to get to the ER right away and get treatment before it progresses to your respiratory system.

Sorry this is so long, but I feel very strongly about this...and as someone who "should" get it, I thought you may appreciate my POV. Best wishes on your new arrival!
Kerri
www.sickofmg.blogspot.com

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