I am 33 weeks pregnant and my mother has the flu.
I opted not to get a flu shot.
It seems inevitable that I will contract the flu.
Is there any additional risk for me and my baby if I contract the flu?
I don’t have any memories of having the flu as a child, so I don’t really know what it’s like, or how it makes you feel.
Will it be worse for me since I’m pregnant?
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worse comes to worse ask your dr for a prescription for the anti nausa medication Zofran, safe for pregnancy and works like a charm! My sister in law got the flu and they gave it to her and she had a bunch left and mybrother in law took it the next week and they both felt relief! Drs also prescribe it for morning sickness so you know it is safe! hahaha
Good luck
Oh…you are lucky you don’t have memories of it.
Every year I did not receive a flu shot…I got the flu. I can tell you every year of my life starting at 4 years old what food I initially threw up (it was clam chowder that year lol!) I hate throwing up, I hate having chills, I hate having a fever….so I HATE having the flu!
But every person is different. The risk with being pregnant and having the flu is your immune system is lowered. Children and elderly are at a higher risk from the flu (and quite a few die every year,) so being pregnant puts you in their category now. The main concern with the flu is people get dehydrated (my friend actually spent a few nights in the hospital when she got this year’s flu.) Also, the flu can be accompanied by a fever…which of course puts you and the baby at risk with overheating.
It’s not too late to get the shot…but if you are adamently opposed to it, I would stay far away from your mother, stock up on ginger ale/saltines, and make sure you have tylanol to reduce your fever if it hits. You could be lucky though…you might not even catch the virus!
you’ve never had the flu? I thought it was common…I dont know, I think I had it when I was 6 weeks and I had a fever at about 103 and chills and loss of appitate for a week…but if you have a fever over 101 go to your doctor…and take tylonol to keep it down
Wow! Awful memories. My body would ache to the point of me not being able to get up from the couch – going to the bathroom was just agonizing because of how I felt. Fever of 102 or higher and chills – so hot but feeling so cold. It’s just a really awful feeling.
I do not ever get the flu shot – more because had hate needles than anything else but this year I am getting it by all means. Being pregnant is uncomfortable enough – but pregnant with the flu! Not only would that be uncomfortable but I’d be nervous the whole time how my baby was doing I just don’t want to take the risk. The other reason is I would like to be well when I have the baby – I don’t want to contract the flu and have to care for him. It would be nearly impossible.
When you are pregnant your immunity is lowered (especially in the 3rd trimester). Having a fever and being dehydrated (and believe me – drinking water with the flu is no easy feat) is dangerous while pregnant. The other advantage to women getting it in the 3rd trimester is part of the immunity is passed to the baby though the placenta. Because babies cannot have the flu shot and they have an immature immune system this provides extra benefits.
Of course it is 100% your choice to get it and I know plenty of pregnant women who opt not to get the shot and are perfectly fine and so are their babies. It is recommended but not required.
