Hello!
I went through IVF and found out it was sucessful on September 11th. My doctor suggested to get a flu shot and I have been researching doing so in the first trimester. There are many out there with the belief that the mercury, Thermisol, in the flu shot, can trigger autism. I wanted to see if anyone else had any opinions or experience with getting the flu shot in the first trimester (or anytime during pregnancy).
Anyone else struggling with this?
First Trimester Flu Shot?
Hello, I am a nurse so I thought I would jump in.
First there is no mercury in the Flu shot. The stuff you are reading about autism and shots are giving them to children not pregnant women and there is as of now no direct link to immuzations and autism this doesn't rule it out but doesn't confim it either. The Flu is very hazerdous to pregnant women it can cause miscarriage, that is why they recommend the shot. If you are really worried about the shot you can ask for the nose spray rather that the injection--it is what we give people who are allergic to the thermasol (which is what you clean your contacts with--in case you were worried what it was) The flu vaccine is not a live virus either, so it won't cause you to get the flu.
BTW--Congrads on your BFP!!!!
First there is no mercury in the Flu shot. The stuff you are reading about autism and shots are giving them to children not pregnant women and there is as of now no direct link to immuzations and autism this doesn't rule it out but doesn't confim it either. The Flu is very hazerdous to pregnant women it can cause miscarriage, that is why they recommend the shot. If you are really worried about the shot you can ask for the nose spray rather that the injection--it is what we give people who are allergic to the thermasol (which is what you clean your contacts with--in case you were worried what it was) The flu vaccine is not a live virus either, so it won't cause you to get the flu.
BTW--Congrads on your BFP!!!!
[img]http://lbdf.lilypie.com/1LNqm6.png[/img][
me 36 Husband 40
8 IUI's all BFN's
1st IVF March 08 BFN
1st FET June 08 BFP!!! m/c October 08
2nd IVF Jan 09 cancelled
2nd FET March 09 BFN
Oct 09 BFP Beta 11dp5dt 1149.8!
me 36 Husband 40
8 IUI's all BFN's
1st IVF March 08 BFN
1st FET June 08 BFP!!! m/c October 08
2nd IVF Jan 09 cancelled
2nd FET March 09 BFN
Oct 09 BFP Beta 11dp5dt 1149.8!
Allie -
Yes, you are correct that flu shots containing thimerosal contain mercury. You can find this information on the FDA's website to confirm this and learn more about thimerosal.
http://www.hhs.gov/fda/faq/vaccines/1858.html
As for your concern about its effects, I would first see if you can get one of the shots that is thimerosal free. They are available, but more difficult to get ahold of. If you can't get one of these, then please have a discussion with your physician regarding the risks/benefits of either getting or not getting the shot.
My guess is that your doctor will tell you that the benefit to getting the shot far outweighs any risk associated with it.
Congrats --
Yes, you are correct that flu shots containing thimerosal contain mercury. You can find this information on the FDA's website to confirm this and learn more about thimerosal.
http://www.hhs.gov/fda/faq/vaccines/1858.html
As for your concern about its effects, I would first see if you can get one of the shots that is thimerosal free. They are available, but more difficult to get ahold of. If you can't get one of these, then please have a discussion with your physician regarding the risks/benefits of either getting or not getting the shot.
My guess is that your doctor will tell you that the benefit to getting the shot far outweighs any risk associated with it.
Congrats --
Allie - Also wanted to let you know that the seasonal flu shot nasal spray (as suggested above) is not approved for use in pregnant women. Also taken from the CDC's website:
Q: Is there a particular kind of flu vaccine that pregnant women should get? Are there flu vaccines that pregnant women should not get?
A. There are two type of flu vaccine. Pregnant women should get the "flu shot"— an inactivated vaccine (containing fragments of killed influenza virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in pregnant women.
The other type of flu vaccine — nasal-spray flu vaccine (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine)—is not currently approved for use in pregnant women. This vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/pregnant_qa.htm
Also, you are supposed to get the H1N1 (swine flu) shot too. This was just FDA approved on the 15th. I'm sure your doctor will talk to you about that too.
Q: Is there a particular kind of flu vaccine that pregnant women should get? Are there flu vaccines that pregnant women should not get?
A. There are two type of flu vaccine. Pregnant women should get the "flu shot"— an inactivated vaccine (containing fragments of killed influenza virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in pregnant women.
The other type of flu vaccine — nasal-spray flu vaccine (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine)—is not currently approved for use in pregnant women. This vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/pregnant_qa.htm
Also, you are supposed to get the H1N1 (swine flu) shot too. This was just FDA approved on the 15th. I'm sure your doctor will talk to you about that too.