I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

So I was at my 16 week appointment yesterday and my Ob offered me the flu shot. I declined. Now I am second guessing myself. I hate this! Did anyone do the same thing and feel the way I do? Should I call and tell them that I changed my mind?

Message edited 10/24/2008 6:40:34 AM.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I don't wasnt one either! Don't feel bad. I am a little leary putting in semi live or otherwise dead viruses in my body!!!! That just creeps me out!!! lol
Take your pre natals, wash your hands throuroughly and stay away from sick people!
XOXOXO
BOTB

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I had such a hard time deciding whether to get it for my son or not. I declined, then brought him back this week to get it.

I am also going to get it after I have the baby. I don't know why, but its such a hard decision. There really is no right or wrong answer.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I got it at the hospital when I gave birth to DD..I was told b/c I breastfeed my daughter has immunity to the flu from my shot....

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I actually just got the shot and I am second guessing myself too. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

don't they recommend that pregnant women get a flu shot? i was planning on getting one

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I'm planning to get it b/c I ALWAYS get sick and my 'flu' inevitablly turns into bronchitis ........

If I was otherwise healthy and didn't know I was almost guaranteed to get sick between Xmas and New Years (like clockwork) I probably would decline. - I have never gotten it before ........

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

Don't feel guilty it is a personal choice! I get it every year bc I have a crappy immune system and will be getting it again bc my ob highly recommends it.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I'm most likely not getting it...and yes I'm worried I'm making the wrong decision because I'll be pg all through the winter till Feb. But, I've never gotten it before and have never been sick ::knock on wood::. Yes, it's recommended that we get it but it's still up to us in the end.

MY OB suggested it because she has to, but she also said that she doesn't feel that strongly about it either way, so she's comfortable with whatever decision I make. I have my 24 wk appt next week, I will decide by then.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

im not getting a flu shot, and my 2 children are not. If there was only one(or very few) stran(s) of the flu- i would do it, but b/c there are so many different strands and its still possible to get the flu even after getting the shot- i dont do it. A part of me feels guilty b/c if they get the flu, ill never know if it were a preventable strand- but (knock on wood) we've been lucky and gotten by with just the regular winter colds.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

Thanks for all of your insights!

I go back mid-November so I may opt to get it then. I felt good about my decision at first but then I started going through all the what-if's. What if I get the flu and it hurts the baby?....etc.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I wasnt offered the flu vac, so havent had either.. is it something we should be considering getting done? I work in health field and around sickies..

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I didn't get it when I was pregnant with DD. Don't feel guilty.
I also won't get it this time while I am pregnant, since I am due soon I will get it after I deliver.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

honestly, I would get it but you have to make that decision for yourself

I will say that the flu shot is HIGHLY recommended for pregnant women

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

Message edited 10/24/2008 10:16:41 AM.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I got the flu shot last week, no side effects at all. I know it is recommended for pregnant women and there is research that shows that it will pass to the baby as well, and since my babies will be here in Dec/Jan I wanted to give them that protection.

I think if you get the flu it won't harm your unborn baby, however, being pregnant your immune system is not working at full capacity and you are more susceptible to getting it.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I will be getting it when I am allowed to (my dr's office said they highly recommend it but not 1st trimester).

For me - I know how dangerous the flu can be to a pregnant woman so I don't want to take that chance. I know it doesn't cover all strains but if you can protect from some why wouldn't you. Studies have shown that if you get it in your last trimester that the antibodies pass to your unborn child giving them protection as well. It is a dead virus so you shouldn't get any real reaction to the shot. I got one with my last pregnancy b/c I was commuting to NYC for work and a lot of people came to my old job sick.

DH had a lot of people coming into his office last year with the flu and other things - so I have no idea what he will bring home with him. I get one for DD too.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I am an asthmatic and ALWAYS get the flu and pneumonia shot. I didn't get the shot one year and got the flu and was hospitalized for a few weeks from it with complications from the asthma. It is recomended that PG women get it for those who were wondering.

I'm getting the flu shot but have to find out if I can still get the pneumonia while PG or not.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I am not getting it. My DH and I made the decison together. This is for a variety of reasons. We both work from home so we are not surrounded by germs on a daily basis. I NEVER get sick and willl BF(I hope!) so I think my immunity will be passed on to babies. I have never gotten the flu. We are comfortable with our decision.

Message edited 10/24/2008 11:18:54 AM.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I'm allergic so it's an easy decision for me but you definintely should not feel guilty!

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

My doctor really did not want me to get it as she did her own research and found that there has been traces of mercury in the shot. I did not get it.

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

I got it since I was pregnant the entire winter with DS--I figured better safe than sorry

i will do it next week also for baby #2

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

Posted by babyonthebrain

I don't wasnt one either! Don't feel bad. I am a little leary putting in semi live or otherwise dead viruses in my body!!!! That just creeps me out!!! lol
Take your pre natals, wash your hands throuroughly and stay away from sick people!
XOXOXO
BOTB

Re: I declined the flu shot but why do I feel so guilty about it?

It was recommended by my obgyn. Apparently if you do actually get the flu, it can be potentially very harmful for your baby.

I never got the flu shot before and never got the flu. I hate needles! I don't think it's a very big deal not to get it.

I didn't want to get it but my mom and husband were nagging me to get it so I just caved in.