During the period of bearing a child, any woman is worried about her health. Indeed, the condition of her future baby largely depends on her physical well-being. During pregnancy, a woman’s body becomes especially vulnerable and it is difficult to resist viruses and bacteria. In autumn and winter, outbreaks of flu are known to occur. In this regard, many women have a question: "Is it worth making a vaccine against this disease during pregnancy?" Let's find the answer to it together.
Why is vaccination necessary?
During the period of gestation, the woman’s body is exposed to significant loads. The immune system weakens, and even mild infections can cause significant damage to the health of both mother and baby. The question of whether the flu shot is safe during pregnancy is controversial, primarily because drugs can have a negative effect on the unborn baby. According to studies, this vaccine is not dangerous. However, it is better to put it before conception.
And before doing this, it is necessary to find out what contraindications and possible complications exist. Of course, the vaccine can protect a woman from infection, which has a negative effect on the unformed organism of the unborn child. Influenza is a formidable disease. It is not only extremely contagious, but also fraught with possible consequences. Some patients die.
How long is vaccination recommended?
So, to the question of whether to get a flu shot during pregnancy, most doctors today give a positive answer, since modern drugs are effective and non-toxic.
In the absence of contraindications, doctors are advised to make a vaccine even during the period of bearing a child. It is especially important for women suffering from chronic diseases (asthma, diabetes, pathology of the cardiovascular system and genitourinary sphere) to protect themselves and the future baby. However, in the first trimester, the vaccine can have a negative effect on the child's body, because during this period there is a rapid development of the main organs.
Starting from twelve weeks, a vaccination is allowed, but before you do this, a woman should consult a doctor who has been observed since the very beginning of pregnancy. Vaccination is carried out after a period of an outbreak of incidence, since it begins to act only after twenty-one days. This procedure is strictly prohibited for women who have intolerance to chicken protein, as well as those who are diagnosed with acute viral disease.
Influenza vaccination during pregnancy: reviews in favor of vaccination
Since doctors cannot say for sure whether this procedure poses a threat to the health of the mother and the fetus, a woman should approach this issue extremely responsibly.
You need to talk with your doctor and find out all the possible risks and only then make an informed decision.
If the future mother is vaccinated, she can be calm for herself and her unborn child, because the vaccine has several indisputable advantages, for example:
- A woman who does not get the flu can avoid complications such as a miscarriage, the appearance of malformations in the fetus, and physical and mental retardation in the child.
- A future mother who has chronic pathologies is much harder to tolerate viral infections, and the consequences of such diseases for her body can be extremely serious, so it's better to protect yourself with a vaccine.
- Vaccinations that are given to pregnant women are pre-tested. Many doctors believe that they are harmless to both the woman and the fetus.
- They increase the body's resistance to the child. If a woman is vaccinated against the flu during pregnancy, antibodies to this infection enter the blood of the unborn baby.
Opinions of opponents of vaccination
Some doctors are extremely negative about this procedure. They are guided by the following arguments:
- Vaccination is a medicine, that is, a chemical substance that, having penetrated the blood of an unborn baby, can harm its health.
- The vaccine does not protect a woman from infection one hundred percent.
- Sometimes there is a negative reaction to a flu shot in pregnant women.
A woman can refuse vaccination if she has concerns about her health and about the physical condition of the unborn child. However, in the event of a threat of an outbreak of the virus, it is desirable to still be vaccinated.
In what situations is vaccination strictly prohibited?
In some cases, you should absolutely not be given a flu shot during pregnancy. Contraindications include the following conditions:
- Intolerance to chicken protein, as well as other components that make up the drug.
- Elevated body temperature.
- An acute course of any pathology.
- Pregnancy for up to twelve weeks.
A woman is obliged to inform about the presence of contraindications to the doctor, in whom she is observed during the period of gestation. This will avoid dangerous complications.
Flu vaccine during pregnancy: consequences
It is impossible to say for sure whether a woman will have complications as a result of vaccination and what they will be. Most often, such dangerous conditions occur as:
- allergic edema;
- anaphylaxis, which may be accompanied by fetal hypoxia and spontaneous abortion;
- the appearance of allergic reactions in children.
Fortunately, the above phenomena are extremely rare. Nevertheless, in order to avoid such complications, a woman needs to carefully choose the type of vaccination, since the types of flu vaccines vary in composition.
Types of drugs
So, during pregnancy, a flu shot is allowed only if the vaccine contains dead viruses.
Living can cause significant damage to the health of mother and child. A woman needs to be vaccinated against the usual form of the disease, as well as against its new variety - “swine flu”. In this case, the doctor makes injections in different hands. Before getting vaccinated, a woman should find out which drug is the least dangerous. It is necessary to study and ponder the opinions of specialists regarding the vaccination against flu for pregnant women, the pros and cons, and also to learn about the chemical composition of the vaccines. The least toxic drugs that are most often used during pregnancy are:
- "Monogrippol".
- Monogrippol plus.
- Waxigripp.
- Influvac.
- Fluarix.
These vaccines do not adversely affect the fetus.
It must be borne in mind that after vaccination a woman may feel a slight malaise. The injection site turns red and itches. Also, temperature may rise, headaches and muscle pains, lethargy are possible.
These symptoms persist, usually for one or two days.
conclusions
The question of whether a vaccine against influenza is needed for pregnant women cannot be answered unequivocally, since no one can guarantee the safety of the vaccine for mother and child. If there is a threat of infection to the expectant mother, she has no contraindications for vaccination, this procedure is usually carried out. In any case, a woman needs to discuss the issue of vaccination with a specialist and put it only with his consent. Also, do not forget about precautions, especially during epidemics.
It is necessary to dress very warmly, eat vegetables and fruits, take vitamin supplements prescribed by the doctor, and avoid contact with patients with acute viral infections as much as possible. The issue of vaccination during pregnancy is quite complex, and it is extremely difficult to make a choice in favor of one or another option. The risk is possible in the case of the procedure, and in case of refusal from it. What more to fear: complications of an infection or the consequences of a vaccine? With this issue, the expectant mother should be clearly defined. Making the final decision, a woman must always remember that the responsibility for the life and health of her child lies with her.