Do I Really Need That?

It has been longer than usual since I've written something.  However, there wasn't much to report recently.  The one thing I've been wanting to write about is a topic that I'm a little afraid to write about.  I'm worried I'm going to end up having to go back and take back everything I said.


The thing is that I feel very strongly about this, and I really want to share what I've experienced when it comes to pregnancy and staying healthy.  I don't mean eating right (which is also important).  I mean actual health as in not getting sick.  


Now, at the beginning of my pregnancy I was told, "YOU NEED TO GET A FLU SHOT."  This is, of course, due to the fact that pregnant women are among the groups of people who are told they should get a flu shot. (and here's where my blog is going to get very passionate...I do apologize in advance if my views offend anyone) BUT WHY? I do not know what is in that injection, and I see no reason whatsoever to get it! I have never had a flu shot ever.  I have managed to stay away from the flu because of it.  In fact, most people I know who have gotten the flu shot have come down with some strain of the flu from it.  Granted, it may be more mild than usual.  Still, if the flu shot could somehow give me the flu, why would I want to get it?


So, I called a friend during the early stages of my first trimester to talk about the flu shot.  She was against it and informed me that the H1N1 shot had actually not even been tested on pregnant women.  There are also reports of pregnancies that ended abruptly soon after a woman got the shot.  That left me feeling very sure that I did not want to get it.  The question that remained, though, was WHAT SHOULD I DO?


I certainly don't want to put my unborn child at risk.  That means that #1 I don't want the shot because I don't want to take those chances BUT #2 I don't want to stay vulnerable because I don't want to come down with the flu.


So, here's what I did.  I  consumed A LOT of water and orange juice.  I took probiotics for intestinal health as well as vitamins to promote immune system strength. I rested whenever I felt tired.  I washed my hands all the time.  With that, despite being around students and other staff members who came down with the flu, I avoided it.  I made it through all of the flu season months without any flu symptoms whatsoever.


Here's where I feel nervous.  I hate saying I made it out without the flu at this point in case I find out I somehow catch it in March.  Yet, with the weather here being as warm as it is, I do feel safer about it.  Plus, there haven't been any students getting sick with it anymore at school.  


So, basically, all I want to say is that I don't think I want to do something just because somebody on the news says I should.  If there is no research to back up the benefits, I see no purpose in it.  I knew that taking the natural approach could not hurt my child.  I had never done it before; yet, it worked very well for me.  I have felt very healthy.  


The only time I've gotten sick this pregnancy was back in November.  This was before I took any probiotics or extra vitamins.  I had actually had allergies.  Yet, we got those under control.  My allergies may come back again with the start of April/May (they usually do).  But, even then, those are allergies that simply make me feel uncomfortable and don't hurt my child.


I didn't get the flu shot and I'm happy about that.