Newly pregnant---get H1N1 now or wait til second trimester?

[Anonymous]

Just found out today that I'm pregnant (wish I would have figured this out yesterday when we got dd her shot but oh well).

Should I get the H1N1 vax now or wait? It seems like I would be a lower priority than someone in her second or third trimester, whose lungs are already stressed. So should I wait until my second trimester to get the shot?

[Anonymous]

I would wait until the 2nd trimester, but that's me. What's the likelihood your daughter might bring it home to you? That would be my biggest concern.

[Anonymous]

I would get it now. Getting flu even in the first trimester is a risk for certain conditions.

[Anonymous]

I'm 9 weeks pregnant and I got the h1n1 shot on Saturday in DC. I work with kids (3 of whom are at home with the flu) so I didn't want to wait until my 2nd trimester.

[Anonymous]

I would wait until the 2nd trimester as well. The baby's development is more important for the long run than a possible risk of being affected by H1N1. If you do contract the virus, you can still be treated with Tamiflu under a doc's supervision. Don't forget there are other viruses out there and the likelihood of you being affected by the other flu strains are similar. Just be diligent with taking your vitamins and washing your hands.

[Anonymous]

I am in the same boat. I read somewhere today that women in the first trimester than get the full blown H1N1 could lose their fetus (might have been the CDC website but I can't remember becuase I was looking everywhere) so I decided to get it. I also talked to my OBGYN and she said there is no reason to wait for the second trimester just like with a normal flu shot.

[Anonymous]

I think the risk of complications from a severe case of the flu is much greater than any risk from getting the actual vaccine. I might be pregnant myself. If I find out that I am, I am getting the vaccine immediately. If you end up with complications from the flu, you may end up having to take many other medications besides Tamiflu.

[Anonymous]

I got mine at 9 weeks.

[Anonymous]

The reason why some doctors suggest that you don't get it in your first trimester is that if you have a miscarriage, they don't want you to blame it on the vaccine. From my research online, there isn't any reason why getting it in the second trimester is better than the first.

Just be sure to get the shot without thimerosol (mercury). Although the CDC does not officially think mercury can harm your child, some think there are potential links to autism and some places won't give pregnant women shots with mercury. I am planning on getting the mercury-free shot just to be safe.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all. DD just got her first shot and she is at home with me, so there is not that great of likelihood she will bring it home. But DH works downtown and metros to work, so I think he is the likely culprit.

I was somewhat worried about the effect on the baby, but also worried about taking the shot away from a really pregnant woman. It seems like there is plenty of supply right now, though. I guess I will have to wait to see if I can find the low-mercury dose, I don't think I have seen that shot available anywhere so far (right?).

[Anonymous]

it is available at DC clinics. Good luck and congrats!

[Anonymous]

I got the flu shot last week at 6 weeks. I am not waiting until I am in my second trimester, the shot is scarce, and it is even MORE dangerous for me to get the flu. That is poor logic to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got the flu shot last week at 6 weeks. I am not waiting until I am in my second trimester, the shot is scarce, and it is even MORE dangerous for me to get the flu. That is poor logic to me.

Actually, the shot is only scarce now. They are making plenty of it and it is just delayed, hence the high demand early on. Waiting even a few weeks may be worth it to get the preservative-free dose, if that is important to pregnant women.

[Anonymous]

I've read a bunch of articles saying that fevers in the first trimester are much more serious than getting a fever in the second semester (due to the chance of neural tube defects). I don't think that you're going to do any harm to the baby getting it earlier than later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just found out today that I'm pregnant (wish I would have figured this out yesterday when we got dd her shot but oh well).

Should I get the H1N1 vax now or wait? It seems like I would be a lower priority than someone in her second or third trimester, whose lungs are already stressed. So should I wait until my second trimester to get the shot?

It's not just a matter of stressed lungs, though. Pregnancy is considered an immunocompromised state (it has to be, otherwise your body would reject the baby) so the compromised immune system is, I think, what is a big problem with the H1N1. I'd get it as soon as you could. Btw, congratulations!