Is the flu shot worth the possible risk?

I was wondering what you all thought about flu shots. I thought that pregnant women were especially supposed to get them, but a friend who is a nurse/midwife told me that there is a lot of controversy now because of the thimerisol (which contains mercury) in the shots. She told me to ask my doctor if they have the thimerisol-free kind, but they only have that in the pediatric dose.

My doctor says that it is a very small amount of mercury, so she recommends it, as she says my getting the flu could be dangerous for my baby. It makes me wonder, if they have the ones without thimerisol for kids, then obviously there is some issue, so is it really ok to give it to my baby in the womb?

Thoughts? Are you all getting flu shots this year?

Shannon

I already got mine and Im glad I did. DH got sick rite after I got it and I dont think I could deal with being sick again during this pregnancy!

This is what my OB's office told me... if anyone has gotten different information, please dont shoot the messenger, just relaying what they told me...

Back in the middle of October, the OB's office got the 'normal' flu shot - which contains the perservatives & mercury. That, they offered to their "normal" (non pregnant) patients. They would not offer this to their pregnant patients because of the mercury. My DR and my nurse told me there have been studies linking the mercury to autism in children - whether the child got the shot or the expecting mother got the shot. At the beginning of November, they received the "adult sized" dose of the mercury/perservative free shot. Then all pregnant patients were offered this shot - this is the one I received. So, after hearing that, I would not recommend the dosage with mercury in it. I know that our local health department offered BOTH kinds of shots - and the mercury/perservative free one was only offered to children & expecting parents.

I'm sure there is controversy to this topic, and like I said before, only relaying what my OB office told me - so I would do some of my own research if you wanted, before accepting the shot.

Good Luck!!

I agree with that Sarina. BTW i like your new avatar. I am held back and weary on murcery filled shots even on my kids. I have never given my kids a flu shot nor have i had one in my life. We did get the roti virus last year for like 6 days. It was bad but i would rather risk a flu for a few days then autism for a lifetime. I have 1 maybe 2 kids with autism. Its no fun!

My OB told me in her mind it wasn't really an option, the complications of the "real flu" are serious for pregnant women, however she said to only get the Mercury Free one, which is what I did. They actually didn't even bat an eye, they looked at my tummy and said "Mercury Free for you" and that was that.

My doctor said not to get it. Everyone else in the house got it except me. I am hopping that since they won't get it that I won't. Well, I hope at least.

I was watching tv yesterday (rarely happens) and Jenni Mcarthy (spelling?) was on talking about autism and how her son is now "cured". I thought that she was so interesting! Her book is called Mother Warrior. I really want to read it. Anyways, April you mentioned autism in your family. Do you think there is a link between vaccinations and autism? I was worried about the flu shot but had pneumonia twice last year and didn't want to run the risk of having it again while pregnant and being hospitalised.

SequoiaAutumn wrote:I agree with that Sarina. BTW i like your new avatar.

Thank you

REmember, though, that getting the flu vaccine doesn't mean you won't get it. It only carries a few strains that the experts believe will be prevalent this year. there are many more strains of the flu that aren't in the vaccine.

I already got my flu shot, my Dr also told me that pregnant women getting sick can miss up to a month of work! I can't afford that right now, and every year I get the flu really bad, I cant imagine getting it while prego! Plus in all reality there is going to be contraversy (sp?) with everything a pregnant women puts into her body. Eventually you just have to "let go and let god" (or whoever you believe in).

Thanks for all the replies. Since my health plan doesn't seem to offer me the mercury-free shot for free, I guess I will either skip it or see if I can get it at a reasonable price. This is the first time I have ever felt like I wasn't getting the best possible care with my health plan - it's always been great otherwise.

Shannon

I would check at Wal-Mart or the Drug Stores around you, a lot of times they have both kinds. I just read in Parents Magazine that babies of women who get the flu shot while pregnant have a 63% less chance of getting the flu in their first 6 months of life.