I didn't get one. First off, it only protects against some strains of the flu not all, so there's no guarantee. Secondly, most flu shots contain some mercury. Some contain A LOT. No way I'm deliberately letting someone inject me with a substance containing mercury while I'm pregnant. Third, the flu shot can cause a fever. Fevers are bad news when you are pregnant. Fourth, I haven't had a contracted illness in over a year. I think my immune system is working just fine. I'd rather stay healthy, take vitamins and avoid too much contact with high risk people than take a mercury filled flu shot and delude myself into thinking I'm 'safe' from the flu now.
This is one of the many reasons if my OB/GYN reccommends it I will say no.
I have a weak immune system. If I am around someone who has gotten the flu shot who also has a weak immune system, I catch it from them as their body is reacting to the injection. It's not a completely dead virus that is delivered. I think I had it once, and I was not sick when I had been there, one day later I was in the throws of the worst flu ever that lasted almost a month.
Never again.
My Dr back home in AL never reccommended my family to have the shot and I'm sticking with him because I know my gut cannot take it and I am already at risk should I get ill. I just have to be careful and bone up on zinc and vitamin c.
I read the articles that are showing why they reccommend it, and IMHO there still has not been enough study to say it is safe for those of us who are with child.
Used to be they told you 'no way in hell' to get the shot if pregnant or if you thought you were... wonder what the change is...
IMHO the CDC is 'too big for their britches' so to speak and often jump the gun on items and we are the guinea pigs.
I was one when I was in utero, and have hearing issues (CONSTANT tinninitus) resulting from having frequent ultrasounds performed while I was in utero. They were testing them out in 80-81 on military wives more than in the public, and then later changed their reccommended amount to the public.
I have several other military brat friends who have the same issue born the same year as me.
If I could get rid of it, I would.. but it's one of those things you just have to live with...
I do worry about having a fever, as it is easy for me to get that way and my DH was recently ill. I slept on the couch and let him have the bedroom all to himself... and I was careful around him. Other than headaches and joint popping, I'm A-OK and DH is well again, our room aired out and cleaned and I'm back in there.
I just can't see the studies supporting the 'need' to get the shot, whether I am well or not.. it just never did us good in my family. Dad always got it while in the military was sick same day (not exposed as all men in certain offices got the shots in the same day on base) then we were all sick. that's soooooooooo not something I want to repeat, and the flu always knocks me out for about a month... definitely not something I can afford to do.
