The Flu Shot and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

Pregnancy symptoms can definitely make you feel under the weather, so being actually sick on top of all of the headaches, nausea, and general fatigue of pregnancy is definitely something to avoid if you can! Flu season has already crept up on us (I can tell by all of the signs in my local pharmacies, advertising low cost flu shots!) but is the flu vaccination a good idea or not when you’re pregnant?

I get my flu shot every year, even when I’ve been pregnant, but the fact that I’ve done it and it’s gone well for me and my kiddos isn’t enough proof for me to advise other moms to get the shot, so I’ve done a bit of research so I can tell you what’s what. No opinions, just fact, ladies!

First off, influenza (the flu virus) is way more likely to cause serious illness in pregnant women than in women who aren’t expecting. Plus, babies who are born to mothers who’ve had the flu can be more likely to be born prematurely. The flu shot protects you from the flu while you’re pregnant, and actually helps protect your babe-to-be by giving her antibodies against the virus that will help her fight it off for the first six months of her life.

So, obviously there are benefits to getting the flu shot when you’re pregnant, but are there risks? Turns out, not really! Studies as recent as this year show that women who get the vaccine during pregnancy are no more likely to give birth prematurely, or have babies with low birth weight or size. Additionally, the vaccine doesn’t make pregnant women more likely to experience pregnancy complications.

If you’ve heard whispers about the preservative thimerosal and its potential connection to autism or other health issues, and are nervous about getting the flu shot while pregnant because of this preservative, I’ve got really good news. First off, there are a ton of studies that show that the amount of thimerosal in the vaccine is completely safe for pregnant women and their developing babies—but if you’re still nervous, you can ask your doctor for the preservative-free flu shot, which doesn’t contain thimerosal at all.

So take a deep breath, and get the shot—both for your health and safety, and for baby’s, then treat yourself to a yummy (decaf!) pumpkin latte as a reward—who doesn’t need another excuse for a little indulgence?!