Dr. Gardner,

I haven’t felt right about the H1N1 vaccination and my Primary Physician has been great about not pressuring it for my little ones. However, I am pregnant and I have been pressured by my OB to get the vaccination. Now, I am told that this “swine” flu is different because it can be passed to my baby and cause it to be born with it and complications. Is this true? Please calm my fears and give me some facts to throw back if I get pressured again. Thanks,

In writing a response to this question, I want to make it clear that I am not providing medical advice or counsel; I am merely giving you my opinion about what I would personally do, based on my personal research.  You should consult your doctor regarding your health care decisions, and you need to realize that YOU are in charge of your body.  When an infant is growing inside of you, you are also responsible for a tiny baby’s health and development, which is an awesome and sometimes frightening responsibility.

Everyone’s emphasis seems to be on the risk of the ‘swine’ flu causing risk to the baby or fetus, but no one seems to be talking about the risk of the vaccine to the baby or fetus.  A number of miscarriages have been associated with getting the vaccine, although the vaccine has not necessarily been implicated.  In the first trimester, when the brain is developing, Dr Russell Blaylock talks about artificially stimulating the immune system, causing an immune reaction with inflammation, thus damaging the developing brain.  Of course, whatever other organ may be developing at the time of the vaccine administration may also be affected.  All of this is why most obstetricians speak against taking drugs or vaccines during pregnancy.

If we take the Australia/New Zealand experience (which has already had their flu season) as a basis for comparison with our risk factors, a pregnant lady has a 1 in 300,000 chance of being sick enough with the ‘swine’ flu to require hospitalization.  Of course, most people with the flu don’t even know they have it, especially if they are healthy.  And most people with the flu will not require hospitalization.  The death rate from the ‘swine’ flu in hospitals has a greater association with pregnancy and obesity, rather than pregnancy alone.

Unfortunately, the vaccine has adjuvants that may be harmful to the fetus, including mercury in many.

Your baby is capable of getting any number of viruses and bacteria that you have.  Your immune system also crosses the placenta to protect the baby.  Your best protection for yourself and your child is to be healthy-eat right and take the right supplements.  Avoid situations where you would be exposed if possible.  The decision to receive or not receive the vaccine is yours.  For further information and resources, I suggest you go to www.naturalnews.com or www.mercola.com, where there is some excellent research cited.  I wish you and your baby a healthy pregnancy.

Dr. Stan