Flu shots are a hot topic. Some people firmly believe that a flu shot is necessary, while others either don’t trust them or don’t think they are needed. Personally, I don’t get a flu shot. I don’t think I ever have. I have also never had the flu. Whether or not you should get the shot is between you and your health care provider. Here, I will give some information and leave the decision to you.
The flu season lasts from November through April. Your doctor may offer the shot in early Fall to protect you throughout flu season. I don’t know how hard doctors push for this one. I’ve had four babies in three different practices and I’ve never been offered a flu shot.
Pregnant women are considered a high risk group for influenza. The recommendation is for anyone in a high risk group be vaccinated prior to the beginning of flu season. Most doctors still recommend waiting until after the first trimester to get the shot. It used to be thought that the vaccine wasn’t safe in the first trimester of pregnancy and most doctors still follow this rule to be on the safe side.
The biggest reason to get the vaccine is to avoid the flu and any possible complications for you or the baby. In most cases, the mother and baby are not harmed by the flu, but complications can occur.
Some factors can increase your risk of complications of the flu. One possible risk factor is asthma. Pregnant women with asthma are more likely to be hospitalized with complications of the flu than the average pregnant women with no respiratory allergies or asthma.
Discuss the flu shot with your doctor or midwife, if you are still undecided. Your health care provider knows your personal history best and is most qualified to make a recommendation for you. If you choose not to have the shot, do what you can to prevent becoming infected with the flu. Avoid large crowds and practice good hand washing throughout flu season. This is good advice to avoid a whole host of germs and bugs.
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