H1N1 Vaccine During Pregnancy?

Whose advice would you rather take, some mom off the internet, or the entire medical community with all their training?

The science is solidly behind the H1N1 shot for pregnant women.

visit mercola.com and check out his extensive library of articles as they pertain to H1N1 and whether you should or shouldn't get the vaccine. For the record, with all the adjuvants and toxins they're putting into the vaccine, I wouldn't. Mercury and alumiunum can pass through the blood-placenta barrier. His 11/11/09 article talks straight talk about the 4 vaccines currently available in the USA and what each of them contains as far as ingredients.

Most of the Canadian provinces have halted all flu vaccines, having found out that those people who had been getting an annual flu vaccine have double the risk of catching the H1N1 virus AFTER getting the swine flu shot. You can read about that on mercola's site as well.

Also, reports are coming in of a few women who are miscarrying 24-48 hours after they get the flu shot--either the seasonal flu or the swine flu one. Two miscarried at first trimester, one miscarried at second trimester. There are similar cases being reported in Canada. Again, educate yourself. Besides mercola.com also check out www.NaturalNews.com for their latest updates.

Those few people I know who are pregnant and didn't get the vaccine but still got sick pulled through just fine. Drink lots of liquids, get lots of sleep, take extra Vitamin D and Vitamin C, eat lots of fruits and vegetables (preferably raw)--give your body the fuel and herbs it needs, and it can take care of its own immune defense. Also drinking lots of HOT liquids (green tea is good), hot soups, anything hot helps break up mucous and keeps the the mouth clean and the nasal and lung passages cleaned out--these are prime areas where the H1N1 virus enters the body.

Vaccines weaken our innate immune defense, which is why half the people who get the H1N1 vaccine still end up getting the swine flu. Their immune systems are weak and cannot stop the virus from invading their body.

Someone mentioned this site already. But worth mentioning again...definitely check out www.mercola.com or http://swineflu.mercola.com/sites/swineflu/home.aspx

Listen to the interview with Dr. Baylock (11/03/09)-- He was a doctor back with the 1970's pandemic took place. So, he's been following all this for quite some time. He specifically talks about how the pregnant woman's body reacts to the increase in the extra stimulation from the vaccine to their immune system and in turn to the baby's brain development. He is saying the baby's developing brain gets extra unnecessary stimulation via the placenta to the developing brain in utero...there is an increase in the baby developing Autism, Schizophrenia and even seizures.

Also probably could check out: http://www.russellblaylockmd.com/

Best of Luck with your decision. Its a hard one!

Based on what I have read, both pro and con, I would not get the vaccine while pregnant, or otherwise. The "whole medical communtiy" in NOT recommneding the vaccine, and it is not made "exactly" the same way the regualr flu vaccine is made. There is a legitimate controversy in the scientific and medical community over the safety of this vaccine and you are wise to ask other moms what they are doing and for their research results. And for everyone who claims to have had the vaccine "without complicaitons," you do not know hwat the possible complications are right now. They could manifest in your child after delivery and during the years he or she is developing.

That said, it is yours, and only your, decision to make. Do what you think is right for you and your family. We are all passionate about these important decisions we have to make and we all clearly think our decision is the right one. But each decision is only right for the individual. This is a free country and thankfully we have the freedom to make these decisions (for now, anyway).

Good luck.

I agree with Ann 100%. There is no way I would consider the flu vaccine (H1N1 or seasonal) while pregnant. There are so many chemicals in these vaccines, and they pass through the placenta blood barrier, its not worth it. Yes, you may get sick if you don't get vaccinated, but your chances of getting sick even if you do get vaccinated is pretty high too, so why risk it by putting unnecessary chemicals in your body? These vaccines also weaken your immune system... which is why neither I nor my husband and children get the flu vaccine.

Our bodies have amazing immune systems, we just need to 'feed' it to keep it up to par, plenty of rest, good foods, lots of liquids.

Hi SK - I just went through this (am 20wks along) and know your struggle! I am a researcher so I researched this TO PIECES. Here is what I found that made M. comfortable getting the shot (and in fact made M. scared not to). Its a personal choice for each mom so I'm just passing along what helped M.:

1) Of pregnant women who contract H1N1, 37% are in the hospital - that is a staggering number. As of Oct 1, 100 were in intensive care and 28 had died. My cousin is one of the ones in intensive care. :(

2) Of pregnant women who contract H1N1, 6-11% (depending on what study you believe) will experience "fetal death".

3) While this flu is not the next Black Plauge, doctors have been surprised at how it attacks seemingly healthy young adults - ESPECIALLY pregnant women - something not seen in the typical seasonal flus. It also for some reason is not often found in those over 65 - again unlike the normal seasonal flus.

4) The vaccine is not "brand new" - it has been tested by the FDA (including testing on over 120 PG women) and was used for months this summer during Australia's flu season with no significant reports.

5) If you are hearing scary stories about the preservative found in some forms of the shot (Thimerisol - it contains a small amount of mercury) keep in mind that there is more mercury in a tuna fish sandwich and most OB's agree that one of those a week is fine for a PG mom. In addition, this type of mercury is one that is excreted easily from the body and does not build up.

I got my shot when I was 13 weeks along and had no complications.

I hope I've been able to help. I really spent a VERY long time looking into this and separating fact from fiction. I actually started out intending NOT to get the vax but after looking into I completely changed my mind. Best of luck to you!

I'm 31 weeks and have (once again) refused the flu vaccine. This is my fourth pregnancy, I've never gotten the regular flu vaccine, and flat-out refuse to get the H1N1 vaccine. My reasoning is this: I have very limited exposure as a stay at home mom, and I feel that the elderly and medical staff need it more than I do. As for H1N1 vaccine, it was brought out so quickly that they did not test the vaccine enough before releasing it to the public. Many of it's potential side effects are still unknown. I'm a stickler for balanced diet and not putting anything into my body that I don't need. (I do all our regular immunizations, but I won't take Tylenol for a headache. *shrug* Just how I've always been).

You need to consider what your exposure is, how often you get sick when NOT pregnant (I seem to have an immune system of steel, another factor in my not getting vaccinated), and if the risk of side effects is worse to you than the risk of getting the flu. There is no guarantee you'll get sick this flu season; but taking the vaccinations opens the door to side effects. It's a gamble either way, so do what you feel is best for YOU. Good luck in your decision, and congrats on the pregnancy!!

First off, I just want to say that nobody in my family will be getting either flu shot....

From there, it's a truely personal decision. We researched for almost a year before making our decision. We read every pamplet our doctor gave us FOR vaccines. I read every book the library had on the issue as well. Both FOR, AGAINST, and NUETRAL.

I find it funny that the women who are so FOR getting this don't have the same data. One says 24% of pregnant women end up in the hospital if they get H1N1 then another says like 38%. I quit reading the responses from there so I'm sure there is more contradicting entries. And it's ironic that even doctors and medical professionals do NOT agree on the H1N1 vaccine. I've talked to some on both sides and there is just no consensus with this vaccine......

The plain truth is that NOBODY who is talking knows the truth. In the end, we decided that God knew what he was doing when he made us and that he wouldn't have created people who couldn't fight off diseases if they were healthy with no underlying health conditions. Again, this is something that EACH FAMILY needs to decide for THEMSELVES. All you can do is research, research, research. Like I said before, read ALL sides. For AND against. And then weigh out what you think from all the info.

There is plenty of info at the docs FOR vaccines and flu shots. Here are some for against:
909shot.com
thinktwice.com
vaccinationnews.com
healthyhealing.com

There was one really good book at the library that was COMPLETELY NEUTRAL but I didn't write the name of it down and I can't remember what it was..... That was probably the best resource of all the things I looked at. So check out the library.

You couldn't pay M. to get a flu shot during pregnancy, and certainly not the new H1N1. They are making these for profit, make no mistake about it. Its about money, not health. You have no idea how the chemicals in those vaccines will effect your unborn child. Most doctors recommend as little medicine as possible during pregnancy, but they are pushing these vaccines because they are told to.

Just my opinion.

I would not take the risk. You can't take basically any other medications while you are pregnant so why would these vaccinations be safe???? As long as you use anti bacterial wipes and wash your hands consistently you should be safe. Also do not be around people who are sick. Take extra Vitamin C's. I was around sick people when I was pregnant with my daughter and never got sick. I am also 6 1/2 weeks pregnant now and have not gotten the vaccinations.

I understand your concern. I am now 16 weeks pregnant today and had my H1N1 and reg. flu vaccine last Thursday. No complications. I also had my daughter (age two on Friday) vaccinated with both. No complications.

I work part-time with kids of all ages and my husband works in a full office. My chance of exposure is higher than SAHM's who aren't out much at all.

My husband came home with flu like symptoms the Friday before Halloween and I freaked! My daughter nor I got his bug....and it was just a bug, not the flu. BUT, it was enough for M. to call several nurse lines (looking for someone to test him...no one would).

I was told that the concern for pregnant women is that we have already compromised immune systems and have a greater risk to getting the flu. We also have a greater risk of the flu turning into pneumonia and further (very scary) complications. With little children who are normally healthy (no asthma, etc.) the concern is dehydration...since it is difficult to hydrate them when they don't want to and don't understand they HAVE to.

I've had the flu shot every year since I was pregnant with my daughter and have never had complications.

I vaccinate my daughter on schedule and feel that I should do the same for myself...to also protect her.

Even if the H1N1 shot is a money scam...I'm not taking the risk. I also believe that it is no different than the reg. flu shot but better "engineered" for the specific strand that it is.

It also takes 12 days for the vaccine to be as affective as it is supposed to be. You might want to think about any get togethers you may have planned in the near future and decide if it is worth the risk of not being vaccinated. It only takes one person with poor hygiene that has this bug.

When you are sick and pregnant there are very few medicines you can or should take to feel better.

The decision is completely up to you! Good luck with whatever your choice is.
Congrats on the pregnancy!!!

I would (and did) get the shot. It is made the same way the regular flu shot is made. I got thimerosal free to be on the safe side. Pregnant women are at a much higher risk of serious complications from H1N1. My group of midwives treated a woman who ended up in a coma, had to have her baby taken by C-section at 32 weeks and be transfered to another hospital for live saving measures. She and the baby both made it, but it was close and there are 17 days of her life, including the birth of her child that she has no memory of. Midwives are known to be very holistic, they wouldn't be recomending this if the benefits didn't far out weigh the risks. If it makes you feel better talk to your dr about if there is any reason to wait until your first trimester is over. You can't rely on people to stay home and away from you when they are sick.

I received my flu shot 3 weeks ago, everything fine, and received my H1N1 yesterday and everything is fine. I expressed my concerns and Dr had said it is made the same exact way as the flu shots and every year the flu shots have different strains of flu viruses in them, so he would strongly recommend it. I asked if any immunity would be passed down to my new baby and he said yes in my IGG antibodies, especially if I breastfeed. I am 28 weeks. Expresss your concerns to your doctor and see what he/she has to say.

I am pregnant and got it. I also got the regular one at my doctors suggestion. I've read far too many stories of pregnant women dying from this. We already have a compromised immune system so why chance getting it and not being able to fight if off. 6% of the deaths so far are by pregnant women. That is pretty high in my opinion. And last I heard that was the stat in September. Might be and pry is higher now.

Also, the vaccine isn't new contrary to what people think. It's the exact same formula as the regular old flu shot but instead of putting in dead 3 or 4 flu strands that are thought to the prevailing ones this season they are putting in the H1N1. If you want to make the argument that it is new because it's a new virus well I guess then you win your argument. But it's no different than if you are unfortunate enough to actually contract H1N1.

It's really a personal decision but after doing my research I decided to get it. I personally think the risk of H1N1 is more than the risk of the vaccine. You could get the Thermasol (sp?) free one beings alot of people are scared of that preservative but askide from that I decided to get it. Best of luck with your decision.

I got both vaccines and everything is well with both M. and my baby. The seasonal flu vaccine made M. feel crappy for a few days but otherwise no complaints.

I am nearly 35 weeks pregnant and got my H1N1 shot two weeks ago. I was hesitant about it at first, but I really trust my doctor. She was reluctant at first when it came out, but then some things changed her mind. She said that it really isn't a new vaccine - they've been making very similar vaccines all over the world for other types of flus and this is just the first time it's been manufactured here. Second, she said that 73 women had lost their babies due to getting H1N1, but there had been no bad side effects for women who did get the shot. And third, she said she had a patient who got H1N1 and her baby stopped moving. The baby is okay, but it was really scary. For M., I decided that the risks of getting sick outweighed the risks of getting the shot. I also told her that I was concerned about the long term effects and she said that the vaccine itself does not cross the placenta, but the antibodies do, so the baby will be protected when she's born. For M., it was the right decision to get the shot.

And for the regular flu shot, I got that one as well and also got it when I was newly pregnant with my son who is now 2-1/2 and had no issues at all. Good luck with your decision.

On Halloween, my then 6 week old went to the hospital for 4 days to be treated for H1N1. I would get it. (and I did get it last week when i went in for my postpartum check - just in case!)

I want to echo a lot of what Kristi H said -- a very thorough and well-researched response.
1. Discuss this with your doctor. They have access to all the medical research (not the internet paranoia) and hopefully know what they're doing or you wouldn't go to him/her, right?
2. The downside of being sick with flu and having a high fever while pregnant is not insignificant, but the really concerning thing about H1N1 is the disproportionately high death rate among pregnant women. My doctor said that right now about 1 in 3 of pregnant women who are hospitalized end up dying.
3. Again, this is not a new vaccine. It is made the same way as a flu shot. It has actually been tested more thoroughly than the normal process because of all the publicity.

In my opinion, any perceived risks of getting the vaccine are far outweighed by the risk of death from a virus that you can easily contract from just about anywhere. I am 18 weeks pregnant and have had the vaccine for seasonal and H1N1. In fact, I had to wait in line for 3 hours to get the H1N1 vaccine. My husband (a health care worker) and son (preschooler) were both also vaccinated. I have 4 friends who are also pregnant who have been vaccinated and know of many other non-pregnant people who have had the vaccine and have not heard of any side effects. I had a seasonal flu shot when pregnant with my son and he turned out better than fine. :)

`I did get both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 shots, with out complications. I would however talk to your Dr about waiting until you are finished with your 1st trimester. There are some very specific warnings about getting them in the 1st trimester. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

Hi S K,
I've debated for a while,too!But once my OB told M. that it is done the same way as the seosonal flu shot,the only difference is the virus in it,and that it would be worse if I wouldn't get the shot because if you get it you'll have very high fever for 10 days,wich is not good for the baby anyways,plus You have to take the meds that they don't know anything about either and you can even die from it because your immune system is not working as well as when you are not pregnant,I've decided to get it,because I think that it's safer to get it!I did get the shot when I was 11 1/2 weeks along and I feel great,I did have an ultrsaound just 3 days ago and the baby seems fine,too!Don't worry,I think you'll be safer with the shot because you can pick up the virus anywhere,even at the grocery store!!I have a daughter who is almost 3 and she got her shot,too!plus we both received the seosonal flu shot as well,just to be on the safe side!

The others who posted here give great information and advice.

I got the shot at 37 weeks, and the peace of mind for my own health, as well as my baby's, can't be replaced. I'd heard scary things about the shot, but after talking to my doctor I found that the rumors were based on absolutely nothing. If you trust your doctor (and you certainly should be going to one you trust), listen to his/her advice.

The only advice you should take is your doctors. If he recommends you get it then you should. He is the expert he the one with the MD behind his name. There are vaccines for a reason. If there is a way to prevent a disease or illness why would you not get the vaccine? Plus the H1N1 vaccine is made the exact same way as the seasonal flu shot by the exact same manufactures. It is probably the safest flu vaccine out there because it was actually tested before they started giving it. The seasonal flu shot is not tested from year to year like the H1N1 was. It has the exact same side effects as the season flu shot. If this had come to light earlier then the H1N1 strain would have been added to the seasonal flu shot. Next year I am sure it will be. So talk to your doctor and go with what he suggests.

Hi! I am also ten weeks pregnant (due May 30th) and I had the H1N1 shot yesterday. I also have a 17 month old that has an ear infection and couldn't get it cuz he was sick, but anyway, I was VERY, VERY apprehensive about getting it just because I felt it was too new and didn't really know the side effects. I was adamant from the beginning that I wasn't going to get it, but researching it changed my mind, and talking to my doctor. She said that 24 percent of pregnant women end up hospitalized because of the H1N1 virus and many of those end up intabated. That was a BIG percentage to M., and that is ultimately what changed my mind. I did get my seasonal flu shot (which I hardly ever get) at my nine week appt. The good thing about the H1N1 that I didn't know, is that if you get it while pregnant, the baby is protected for the first six months of its life. So, I took the risk, and so far, so good! Good luck!

I am 28 weeks along and got my H1N1 shot 3 weeks ago, and the seasonal flu shot 2 weeks before that. I didn't hesitate to get either one of the vaccines. The H1N1 shot is made the same way as the regular flu shot which pregnant women have been getting for many years (I got it when pregnant with my son 2 years ago). If H1N1 had been discovered earlier it would have been included in the seasonal flu shot as one of the strains this year. Some of the "testing" that is referred to is related to the efficacy of the shot (i.e. do you need 1 or 2 doses for it to be effective...based on the studies they have determined that very young children need 2 doses for full effectiveness but adults need only 1) rather than safety.

Good luck with your decision, there are lots of people struggling with it. Get your information from reputable sources.

My sister-in-law works for the CDC. Generally, she is focused on national mother baby health and breast feeding policies, but has been refocused in the last few months to 100% H1N1 related tasks at the CDC.

I recently discussed all this with her, and she recommended getting the shot. She said that it was made exactly the same as the regular flu shot, there is no mercury/therimosol in it, and although is a "new" shot, the technology is not new... in fact, it's the same technology we've been using to make flu shots for years. She said that had there been enough time, the H1N1 would have been included in the same shot as the regular flu shot and probably will be next year. So, if you are not hesitant to get a regular seasonal flu shot during your pregnancy, you shouldn't hesitate to have the H1N1 shot.

I had the seasonal flu shots with each of my 3 pregnancies with no complications - and have 3 very healthy children. My two boys have each had the H1N1 nasal flu mist with no complications, and as soon as it's available my daughter will get the shot (she's too young for the nasal mist) My SIL and all 3 of her kids have had the H1N1 shot with no complications (she isn't pregnant though).

I'd say, discuss it with your Midwife or Doctor. Do some more research. Decide what your risk factors are and make an informed decision.

Best to you.
jessica

I am 30 weeks pregnant and I got both flu shots and I am doing just fine. I was worried about the H1N1 shot so I asked my doctors a lot of questions, they all said it would be best to get it. I figure I'd rather risk getting it they getting so sick and maybe myself or baby dying.

I would stay far away, myself. Check out Youtube:H1N1 fox news.
Find the Dr. That won't give the h1n1 shot and hear what he has to say. He is an expert on infectious disease.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do :)

A friend of mine received her H1N1 and seasonal influenza shot at 11 or 12 weeks. She's a nurse and did quite a lot of research before moving forward. She did well- no side effects, no complications. If it makes you more comfortable and you have limited exposure i.e. don't work around children, take public transit, etc, wait until you have finished your first trimester. The real point is to get the vaccine before your immune system is weakend as part of the normal pregnancy progression.

I posted this question a while back and opted at that time not to get the shot and even posted on another persons question that she should look into the shot more and that I myself would not be getting it. That was before I found out I have hyperemesis and have to go in every couple of days for IV fluids, I am extremely sick. So to throw the flu on top of being sick Especially the H1N1 which have caused many pregnant women who are already suffering from another issue to die. I opted just a few weeks ago to get the shot. I already get dehydrated and throw up over 10 times a day so to get the flu on top of that could be devastating. Now I did not get the regular flu shot and have never gotten that shot except for one time in the past (when my newborn son was really sick and we couldn't risk him getting the flu) and never with either of my other two pregnancies. But this I feel was a special circumstance. I waited till I was at the end of my first trimester to get the shot because of having gotten a fever the one time I got the regular flu shot. I had no issues with the shot itself. Do I fear that it may have don't damage to the baby or myself? Yes, in a way I do. But I also know that 8 weeks ago a landed in the hospital after not eating/keeping food down for over 14 days and severely severely dehydrated so for M. staying alive and keeping this baby alive was worth the risk. Now I am not a person to say I got the shot you should too. I do still hold strong on the feeling that the flu shots are not good, especially if you are yourself healthy and not suffering from other issues. But If you or a family member can be seriously harmed if they get the flu then I would say to get it. I am the only one in my household to get the shot. I am doing my best to protect myself and my baby. It took M. two weeks to muster up the courage to get the shot and well now there is no turning back; all I can do is pray that it did not and will not harm the baby!! Best of luck in making your decision it is NOT an easy one!!

My vote is to get it. I know several pregnant women who've already gotten it, and they're doing just fine. One has had her son, and he's perfectly fine also.
With the holidays coming up and family visits, you'll be increasing your exposure to germs in general.

I've gotten both the seasonal and the H1N1 shots this year for myself and my kids. (I'm not pregnant right now, but I'd still get them both if I was. I got the seasonal shot while pregnant in the past.)

SK
Dr. sears is a well known dr who is pro-vaccine in general. we've decided to put our son on a delayed and alternative vaccine schedule. we've somewhat used his advice in how we've chosen to do his schedule. i've recently read an article on HIS website that talks about h1n1 and specifically pregnant women. the important thing to realize is that this vaccine hasn't been tested on humans at all...and ESPECIALLY on prego's. the government was so desperate for the pharm. companies to get them a vaccine that the government protects them from any lawsuits should there be harmful side effects. that in itself (in my opinion of course) is terrifying. the important thing to realize is that there isn't a right or wrong answer...and it's only your choice to make for you and your baby...CERTAINLY not your doctors! the best thing to do is to get as educated as you can. heres a link to the article i told you about. it's quite lengthy but really great and the first half is about MMR and it eventually goes into flu and h1n1. like i said he's a well respected dr whos pro vaccine so he's not an extremist by any means! we've chosen to not vaccininate ourselves or our 9month old son for h1n1 or the regular flu. i know you'll get plenty of responses so good luck in your decision....just remember its only yours to make! http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/

I would agree with most these women and absoloutely not get the shot. There are so many harsh chemicals in a lot of vaccines in general and it's becoming more and more well known about the risks. I'm not anti vaccine however there are some really dangerous things in the vaccines that could harm your baby. Yes there s a risk to getting sick but I feel you'd have a greater risk of damaging your unborn child with a vaccine

H1N1 is *not* a new vaccine. It is the same flu vaccine that has been widely made and used for the past 40 years, and less widely used for 20 years before that - with a different virus in it. The flu shot has different viruses in it every year.

"Dr. Paul A. Offit, chief of infectious diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, has written extensively about vaccines and the antivaccine movement. The H1N1 vaccine has 60 years of experience and technology behind it, he said; it’s safe, it’s clearly effective . . . "

From this great NY Times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/health/10klas.html?_r=1...

Pregnant women are being disproportionately affected by this virus - sometimes with some devastating consequences - and as with the regular flu, there seems to be no way to tell if you'll recover quickly or be one of the statistics. Ask your OB more questions, do diligent research, and then make a decision that you can live with, one way or another. Good luck!

I get very frustrated with this question, because I think there's a lot of fear mongering out there. While you consider this, look for hard facts: how was it made...what is actually IN the shot...what are the risks of getting it...of not getting it...talk to your doctor...but don't go with generalizations and "you should/should nots"--listen to people who know what they're talking about. I'm thinking about getting pregnant, am pretty sure my entire family has already had H1N1, and would still get vaccinated. I have talked to my neighbor, who's a doctor, our family doctor, and a number of nurses, and they all recommend it.

Please don't get the vaccine.

It truly is a decision only you can make for yourself but I will tell you what I have chosen. I am in my 3rd trimester and will not be getting either flu shot. This is what the package insert from the manufacturer says on the package insert (but they all say the same thing): "8.1 Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine or FLUVIRIN. It is also not known whether Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine or FLUVIRIN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

I realize they say it is made in the same manner as the regular flu shot (which also has the above disclaimer for pregnancy attached to it) but the H1N1 virus is not your regular old virus so it has not been tested before.

Noone truly knows if the vaccine is harmful to pregnant women or their babies so basically, we are the test subjects. I realize some people will be more comfortable with the risks of the vaccine vs. the risk of the flu so again, it is something only you can decide for yourself.

Good luck deciding and the best advice I was ever given when it comes to your health is make an informed decision. Doctors do have years of education but they are still only human and they are trained in pharmaceuticals.

I am in my third trimester and have had the shot. My MIL is a pharmacist and she was strongly urged M. to get it. I figure that if there were any known problems that outweighed the risks of getting the flu, she would have told M. or told M. not to get it.

My suggestion is to get it. Now you are not as high of a risk as women in the second & third trimester. Know the hospitals have multiple pregnant women hospitalized right now who are pregnant on vents due to the H1N1. So for those who say do not get it, I would like for them to go to the hospital and tell the husbands of the women who lay in the ICU on a vent while pregnant that it was not worth the risk of the shot. Not for you yet, but later in pregnancy, the baby pushes against your lungs, restricting them from exspanding fully, yet stopping them from eliminating toxins that the body normal eliminates and therefore making one more prone to viral especially respiratory viruses. So therefore this group of women are more prone to the disease. The very reason Asthmatics are on the high risk list. When you are respiratory compramized, you are more likely to get sick if you contract the virus. Yes, the vaccine is new, but how it was developed is not. Now the life of the immunity is not known, but the immunity factor is known. My advice for pregnant women is take advantage of it (unless you are in the group that has high chances of adverse reactions). If you are early in pregnany, your body is already in a flight or fight stage because your body is responding to the new life inside of you and is working soooo hard to supply life and blood supply for it that it is not able to fight off the flu very well naturally right now. People do not realize it, but it takes more work for your body to grow a fetus in early pregnancy than later pregnancy. (The reason women are so tired in the begining). People see a lady's belly growing and thinks that is the work, but actually she has done the most work even before many know she was pregnant. Just food for thought. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

I am generally pro-vaccine, so you can take that into account when your read my response. I am now almost 22 weeks pregnant, but I got both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine last fall during my first trimester. I have been getting the seasonal flu vaccines for a number of years and through an earlier pregnancy, so I wasn't really concerned about it. I was less certain about the H1N1 vaccine, but the susceptibility of pregnant women to worse complications from H1N1, and the fact that the health clinic where my OB/GYN is located felt strongly enough about pregnant women needing the vaccine to reserve their first batch of H1N1 vaccines entirely for their pregnant patients helped convince M. to go ahead and get the shot. I had no side effects when getting the shots, and all has proceeded normally thus far in the pregnancy. Good luck making this decision. It's really one only you can make for yourself.