concerns people have is associated with the same concern about vaccinating children. Many of the vaccines contain a preservative called "thimerasol" which has mercury in it which is linked to autism among other things. Well, it seems that pregnant people can ask and opt for thimerasol-free vaccines but not all places carried it. I had seen a sign at the Krogers here that they still had vaccines, and I was considering it until I found out more information and found out they didn't have thimerasol-free ones. I also checked my local doctor's office and was told that my best bet was to call the local health department, which it turns out only had enough dosage for a small child. The lady at the health department did still recommend getting it stating that flu season is far from over and that regular ones should still be safe according to CDC. I then decided to call my doctor in Washington, and it seems that the office directs their patients to the local pharmacies, so I would have to check around to see if any of them had it... which may not be likely at this point as many places seem to have the normal vaccine for regular people... so much bother. One of the things I read in a post on babycenter says the following that is also disconcerting, "The data that the CDC uses to cite that Thimerisol is safe was done in 1930 by the doctors at Eli Lily who make Thimerisol. No follow up tests in the US have been done to counter their claims. Thimerisol is banned in Britian, Japan, Denmark, Russia, Austria and in all of Scandanavia. They have no Autism in those countries. The national autism association's website points to thimerosol as a cause for autism. http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/thimerosal.php" Is it really safe? what do my pregnant friends think; did you guys get flu shots while pregnant? There seems to be lots of uncertainty that at this point I may just forego it and just try to be careful. Prior to me coming back to Tech, it seems that there was an awful outbreak of the flu on campus. The flu vaccines given this year was a different strain than the one that actually broke out! Thank goodness the students are on spring break this week, lessening my chances of catching something bad. Anyhow, Sweetpea and I are excited to be going back home to Washington tomorrow. Hopefully, baby and I will be safe and sound up till delivery and beyond. any thoughts on this subject?
Friday, March 7, 2008
Flu Quandary
Last week, when I arrived in Virginia, I started thinking about flu shots again especially with traveling and everything, I really don't want to get sick. I've been hearing that it is recommended that pregnant women should get a flu shot, but then I decided to do a bit of further research to see what is being said about it. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends it for women pregnant during the flu season. Seems that some say it is better and safer than not getting one at all, since it may have adverse affects on the baby if you get sick and your temperature gets too high or if you catch pneumonia. On the other hand, I found out that one of the 
concerns people have is associated with the same concern about vaccinating children. Many of the vaccines contain a preservative called "thimerasol" which has mercury in it which is linked to autism among other things. Well, it seems that pregnant people can ask and opt for thimerasol-free vaccines but not all places carried it. I had seen a sign at the Krogers here that they still had vaccines, and I was considering it until I found out more information and found out they didn't have thimerasol-free ones. I also checked my local doctor's office and was told that my best bet was to call the local health department, which it turns out only had enough dosage for a small child. The lady at the health department did still recommend getting it stating that flu season is far from over and that regular ones should still be safe according to CDC. I then decided to call my doctor in Washington, and it seems that the office directs their patients to the local pharmacies, so I would have to check around to see if any of them had it... which may not be likely at this point as many places seem to have the normal vaccine for regular people... so much bother. One of the things I read in a post on babycenter says the following that is also disconcerting, "The data that the CDC uses to cite that Thimerisol is safe was done in 1930 by the doctors at Eli Lily who make Thimerisol. No follow up tests in the US have been done to counter their claims. Thimerisol is banned in Britian, Japan, Denmark, Russia, Austria and in all of Scandanavia. They have no Autism in those countries. The national autism association's website points to thimerosol as a cause for autism. http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/thimerosal.php" Is it really safe? what do my pregnant friends think; did you guys get flu shots while pregnant? There seems to be lots of uncertainty that at this point I may just forego it and just try to be careful. Prior to me coming back to Tech, it seems that there was an awful outbreak of the flu on campus. The flu vaccines given this year was a different strain than the one that actually broke out! Thank goodness the students are on spring break this week, lessening my chances of catching something bad. Anyhow, Sweetpea and I are excited to be going back home to Washington tomorrow. Hopefully, baby and I will be safe and sound up till delivery and beyond. any thoughts on this subject?
concerns people have is associated with the same concern about vaccinating children. Many of the vaccines contain a preservative called "thimerasol" which has mercury in it which is linked to autism among other things. Well, it seems that pregnant people can ask and opt for thimerasol-free vaccines but not all places carried it. I had seen a sign at the Krogers here that they still had vaccines, and I was considering it until I found out more information and found out they didn't have thimerasol-free ones. I also checked my local doctor's office and was told that my best bet was to call the local health department, which it turns out only had enough dosage for a small child. The lady at the health department did still recommend getting it stating that flu season is far from over and that regular ones should still be safe according to CDC. I then decided to call my doctor in Washington, and it seems that the office directs their patients to the local pharmacies, so I would have to check around to see if any of them had it... which may not be likely at this point as many places seem to have the normal vaccine for regular people... so much bother. One of the things I read in a post on babycenter says the following that is also disconcerting, "The data that the CDC uses to cite that Thimerisol is safe was done in 1930 by the doctors at Eli Lily who make Thimerisol. No follow up tests in the US have been done to counter their claims. Thimerisol is banned in Britian, Japan, Denmark, Russia, Austria and in all of Scandanavia. They have no Autism in those countries. The national autism association's website points to thimerosol as a cause for autism. http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/thimerosal.php" Is it really safe? what do my pregnant friends think; did you guys get flu shots while pregnant? There seems to be lots of uncertainty that at this point I may just forego it and just try to be careful. Prior to me coming back to Tech, it seems that there was an awful outbreak of the flu on campus. The flu vaccines given this year was a different strain than the one that actually broke out! Thank goodness the students are on spring break this week, lessening my chances of catching something bad. Anyhow, Sweetpea and I are excited to be going back home to Washington tomorrow. Hopefully, baby and I will be safe and sound up till delivery and beyond. any thoughts on this subject?
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7 comments:
Did you not get one this season yet? I got a thermisol free one through Boeing.
I actually waited in line for half an hour at work and the nurse said she forgot to bring the shot for pregnant ladies so I never received one. Besides I read somewhere, correct me if I'm wrong, there's a flu mismatch this year. -O
Hmm...definitely do what you think is safe with flu shots and immunizations...but I highly doubt there is 'no autism' in those countries. Some countries still don't have the early childhood resources that we have here and those disabled children are put into orphanges and are no longer part of society. Just be careful what you read online...also look for articles posted on well known hospital or university sites that have update research articles.
I would take everything you read with a grain of salt, which I personally know is hard to do, especially after a special was done on Oprah about autism and vaccinations. I got the flu shot when I was pregnant with Lydia, but ended up getting a little sick anyways. I did not get a shot this time around and everything seems to be alright so far and I've only got four weeks left to go, but then again I stay at home and am not in contact with other people too often. Good luck with the decision.
Uh... interesting... here I do not know about flu shots. They are more into the herbal, homeopathy, etc things. So far I just had allergies (a few sneezes in the morning).
But I agree that the best is to stay away of sick people and wash your hands constantly (and remind everyone around you to do the same).
I just went to my appointment, and everything is fine, and I decided to to the glucose test (which is not covered by my insurance), and they told me that I can not eat or drink!
yeah, i think there are so many worries especially since Sweetpea is our first. I know you can pretty much find anything you want online since there are people with strong opinions one way or another but I just like to read different perspectives. in terms of the glucose test, I suggest getting an early appointment if you can so that you don't get too hungry :) the nurse practitioner said I can eat some things like toast, milk, eggs... just nothing sweet but I'm not sure since I don't want to have to take the test again if I happen to eat something i'm not suppose to beforehand...
My appointment is at 8 am, so I think it should be fine (although they told me that it will take like two hours :P). And since I have to take tyroxin in the mornings (my thyroid is not working properly), they told me that I could drink a bit of water for my pill :P.
They also told me that I have to be resting? that if I do any exercise it could alter the measurement, so they will do an ultrasound to amuse me in the meantime je.
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