H1N1 and all that jazz

Well I have to say I have had a pretty intense internal struggle making this decision. I have researched as much as I possibly can, weighed the pros and cons, read a lot of articles, talked to a lot of people both professionals in the health care field and friends and family.

The biggest issue I have stumbled upon is the fact that I am in THE high risk group. This would be a completely different story if I wasn't pregnant- especially in the last month of my pregnancy. The answer would be simple- I would not get the vaccine. But I have had to take into account a couple of things:

a) We are all more susceptible to this virus because it is so new and our bodies cannot recognize it and fight it off as easily as the 'ol seasonal flu (a reason many people have only had "the flu" once, if not at all). We have all been exposed to the seasonal flu since infancy and our bodies create a strong wall against it through the years.

b) As being 36 weeks pregnant, I really cannot risk being very ill with a flu right before/during labour. I need all my strength.

c) For myself, it is quite inevitable that I will get this virus, I don't usually get the small colds and bugs that go around...but I seem to get all the bad ones, and I get very sick when I do get them. I have developed pneumonia from the flu before, and that was without any underlying medical conditions. I know from experience that I do not do well with respiratory illnesses, this seems to be a weak point for my immune system.

d) My baby is going to be born right in the midst of flu season, around Christmas time, and exposed to this virus right from day 1. I am already feeling anxious about people touching and being around the baby in the case that I do need to go to the mall, the grocery store, etc. I am going to have to keep him/her as concealed as possible from the general public. This feels a little overprotective but I do not want to risk my child getting a flu as a newborn, it would be a terrible situation.

e) Even if I can avoid this flu until after the baby is born- do I really want to be very ill with a newborn and a 2 year old? Could I handle it? Could I handle it if the baby were to become ill, and Julia too?

f) I cannot isolate myself enough to the point where I would be avoiding the virus completely. Jon works, goes to the store for groceries, works with other people. If he comes into contact with it, it can easily be spread to our home.

g) How would I feel if Julia became very ill from this? If I knew there was something I could have done. She is in the second highest "high risk" group being between 6 months-5 years old. It is another question as to if I should get her vaccinated as well...and I have to think about this in terms of all or nothing. If I get it, it really isn't as effective unless Julia and Jon are vaccinated as well.

h) The vaccine is not as tested and tried as I hoped it would be. It makes me nervous. How would I feel if down the road something comes up with my baby and it is linked to this vaccine? From all the reading and research I've done I've come to an understanding that the actual vaccine is very similar to the seasonal flu vaccine, however, I don't get the flu vaccine on an annual basis. I have had it before, with no ill effects, but I choose not to get it even still.

i) I believe our immune systems should be built naturally. I am not against childhood vaccinations, but I do think "the flu shot" is unnecessary unless I am a senior citizen. This is different though. This is me, pregnant. This is a time where I really cannot afford to be sick.

j) Hospitals and clinics are probably the worst place I can possibly find myself in if I want to avoid the virus. I will be in the hospital twice in the next 3 months- once for birth, and another time for surgery in January. In either situation I do not want to be leaving with the flu!

I think I'm going to get the vaccine. I think I'm going to get Julia the shot too, and Jon.

It's a hard decision when I know that it does technically go against what I believe, but there are risks associated this time and they do outweigh the "possibility" of side effects, etc. I think its the best thing for myself, my baby and my family. I can't protect myself by isolation, or take any other preventative measures at this point. I wash my hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, try to stay out of busy public places. But, I think it is inevitable for me as an individual- especially given my situation right now.

I hope I can live with this decision in peace, and that everything will go smoothly from here on. I am choosing not to listen to the media's hype about all of this, avoiding reading on all the kooky government "conspiracy" theories, and making this decision from my own personal research and beliefs.