Hello! I sent your message to my friend list on the board. I'm a mom and got the flu shot this year and my son got the flu mist yesterday. I'm not pregnant but my pediatricans office said they are seeing a lot of activity. Its a personal choice and you're doing the right thing by talking about it and getting advice here. You'll find a lot of well educated and well versed points of view. BTW..I think limiting playgroups, washing hands and using caution is the way to go.

Site Manager Denver Momslikeme.com - Follow me on Twitter at MomslikemeDen and join the Facebook Fan Club: Momslikeme.com Denver. *Check out the coupons on Momslikeme.com *MLM Platinum  and counting! * request me as a friend on momslikeme.com and stay up to date on contests and events!

Valentina, thanks for the help :)

I saw that you posted in another discussion about Pediatrics West.  I'm switching to them and was curious if you could recommend a pediatrician there?  Have you met very many of them?  They told me they save the meet the dr. appts for first time new mommies, so I guess I missed my chance the first time around :(  I might send you a private message too.  Thanks!!

Ginny

Just sent you a PM about PW. I hope it helps and feel free to ask for reccomendations here as well. I think quite a few moms go there.

Site Manager Denver Momslikeme.com - Follow me on Twitter at MomslikemeDen and join the Facebook Fan Club: Momslikeme.com Denver. *Check out the coupons on Momslikeme.com *MLM Platinum  and counting! * request me as a friend on momslikeme.com and stay up to date on contests and events!

Please look at this link and read about it. 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/06/Why-You-Should-NOT-Vaccinate-Your-Children-Against-the-Flu-This-Season.aspx

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change."

www.freepcdiagnostic.com

www.projectcamelot.org

*MLM 1000 Club*

It is a tough one, but I would not solely base a decision on any "facts" printed in the media, which does make for very interesting reading (still one person's point of view.)  Or, if you are going to read opinion pieces, research who those opinions are coming from, MD or not, research their history, what makes the person noted and/or controversial, and most importantly, do you agree with their thinking in general, what are their influences, not just on this subject (Dr. Mercola is one example)?  Personally, I think the best route is to get candid points of view from your doctor and your pediatrician, and then get a second or third opinion if you can.  Ask them the printed pros/cons that they know of, then ask them their personal opinion, and whether or not they are vaccinating their families and why.  They might even have a fact sheet ready to go for such information.  If the doctor is good, they should be reading about this constantly and are privy to information in medical publications we don't commonly see unless we know where to search.  They should be able to explain the complexities on our level.  But when it comes to the media, unfortunately, parties on both sides of this issue have used fear mongering - no matter how eloquently it is written - the flu is dangerous, the vaccine is dangerous....yadda yadda yadda...which makes it hard to choose without a lot of work researching ourselves! 

I get the flu vaccine yearly, but I am still researching the pros/cons of the H1N1 vaccine.  And I am someone who believes in vaccinating.  Still undecided though.  It is possible for flu to be passed through to you even if the "passer" does not get it because some people are immune to certain strains of flu but carry it to others that they come in contact with during the incubation period.  But the chances of that are still slimmer than coming into contact with someone sneezing at you and forgetting to cover their mouth and nose.  But, I don't really want to hide in my house either.  I hope you get lots of input to help in your decision.  It is hard to dissect all the misinformation.  The vaccine debate is so heated.  Good luck to you.  Whatever decision you make will be the best choice for you and your family, and that is the best any of us can do. :)

Betsy

Proud first-time mommy to twin girls, Zoe and Jude, born in March 2009.

To start off with Kudos to you for choosing to be informed rather than persuaded into major decisions. And vaccinations ARE a MAJOR decision.

#1 Flu vaccinations are made from LAST YEARS flu NOT this years. That's the reason they are uneffective.

#2 They use chicken embryos with carry Lukemia. Why would you intentionally put cancer carrying products into your body? And so much more...

#3 vaccinations of ALL types have been linked to many cases causing Autism, death, brain damage, etc.

#4 The H1N1/ Swine flu is NOT new & has been around for years. As with any Flu in certain cases it has caused death in those with compromised systems. Or those that have chosen to let it go to far & not seek proper care for their symptoms.

#5 Avoiding public places, using a cart cover for baby, limiting contact with other individuals, nutrition & of course everyday Cleanliness (washing hands, door knobs, remotes, etc. and not touching hands, face, nose etc.) is the most effective way to combat getting this flu.

The pharmaceutical & Media like to HYPE this up. WHY??? MONEY. This same type flu was here last year. The companies realized create a frenzee & freak people out, make a vaccine, make $$$$,

I encourage everyone to really research what you put into your babies & your own bodies.

Live, Learn, Love & Laugh!

Genesa

www.naturallylovely.myarbonne.com

I agree 1000% with Genesa. I am pregnant w/ baby #2, and have a 22 month old at home. Neither of us have gotten the flu or H1N1 vaccine, and we will NOT. The media has hyped swine flu way out of proportion in my opinion. This will not affect us any greater than the regular flu does every year. I am doing the same as you are-limiting time around others, and trying to keep us as isolated as possible. I know sometimes you just need to get out, and that's fine, just use lots of hand sanitizer and stay away from anyone with symptoms!! :-) Once a week, I go through my house and wash and Lysol at least all the handles, faucets, light switches etc to keep things sanitized. My OB says she's not pushing the vaccine, but said if I have ANY symptoms to come in ASAP to test. I think as long as you keep an eye out for it and respond appropriately if you get sick, you'll be OK.

I don't think there has been enough research on H1N1 vaccination/mist. Like you, I'm not risking the health or life of my baby!!

~Andrea

When I was pregnant last November, I got my flu shot....no biggie at all.

I think it's just a safe bet to make sure you and your baby and other kids and family at home don't get sick...it's the responsible thing to do....in my humble opinion.

Melissa

Melissa ~ Lola's mommy

I think it's great that you are questioning vaccines. It's important to get a full understanding of vaccines before you make a choice.

I rely on the science behind the matter. I know that the shot will be safe. I know that there have been lots of scienctist and doctors looking at this vaccine to make absolutely sure it isn't going to hurt anyone. I also know that pregnate women are alarmingly suseptable to this illness.

One thing that might help your decision is that all these organizations are fully behind the vaccine - 

American Academy of Family Physicians       
American Academy of Pediatrics
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology
March of Dimes  Foundation
Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine

Here is thier statement - http://www.marchofdimes.com/aboutus/49267_61363.asp 

I hope this helps. Believing in vaccines can be a kind of  leap of faith sometimes. It's hard to put your trust into a simple shto that will protect you from the disease. I'm confident that it's worth the trust.

Dawn Crawford

Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition

www.childrensimmunization.org

Valentina - you are such a great role model! thank you!!!

originally posted by Valentina Garcia-Gerdes

Hello! I sent your message to my friend list on the board. I'm a mom and got the flu shot this year and my son got the flu mist yesterday. I'm not pregnant but my pediatricans office said they are seeing a lot of activity. Its a personal choice and you're doing the right thing by talking about it and getting advice here.

Dawn Crawford

Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition

www.childrensimmunization.org