Swine Flu Vaccine Has Led to Miscarriage

Vaccinations can be a difficult topic, especially among moms and moms-to-be. There are very strong opinions out there and who's to tell another mother, no matter what her choice is, that she is endangering her child? Each one believes she is protecting her child.

About eleven years ago, I first heard about the controversies of vaccinating. Until then, I didn't understand the right to choose to or not to vaccinate. Over the years, I have done a lot of research for myself and that is how I have come to my own personal decisions and beliefs about vaccinations for myself and my family.

I am almost 12 weeks pregnant now and have been getting a lot of questions about whether or not I have gotten the flu and H1N1 vaccinations yet. I have no intention of getting either vaccination. Although, I do not go into great detail unless I am probed, I believe that it is too great of a health risk to me and my baby to be subjected to the ingredients of these vaccinations. In addition, in the short time it has come onto the market, the H1N1 vaccination has not been properly tested for the adverse reactions and side effects it could have on pregnant women.

Last night I had a dream that I was being forced to get a flu shot against my will. Strangely enough, I woke up to discover I had an email from Dr. Mercola about the side effects involved with receiving the flu and H1N1 vaccine during pregnancy. I have attached the article here. After reading short article at the top, click on Organic Health November 11, 2009 at the bottom of the article. This will link you to a site where you can read stories that women have shared about the devastating miscarriages they had not long after receiving the H1N1 or flu vaccine.

Natural Preventative Measures to Avoid the Flu While Pregnant:

• wash hands frequently
• avoid large crowds
• avoid being around people who have recently been sick
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  
• keep your house clean and tidy to avoid unwanted germs
• if possible, avoid air travel during flu season
• take your vitamins
  
• eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
  
• keep the rooms in your home properly ventilated
• dress appropriately for the temperatures outside
• drink plenty of fluids
  

My only hope in sharing this is to help educate you to make an informed decision. Ultimately, as a parent, you have to decide what is the best choice for you and your family.

Vaccination Exemption in Texas

In addition to medical and religious reasons, I recently learned that Texas and Arkansas have been added to the list of 20 states that allow for "philosophical" exemptions from vaccinations. By stating that you are opposed to vaccinations based on your philosophies, your children can be exempt from getting any or all vaccinations. It is not necessary to state your philosophical reasons when you complete the proper forms for exemption. Remember that it is important to apply early to avoid the backlog and possibly delays for school deadlines.

There has been a lot of publicity on the evening news this week about vaccinations. Parents are being advised to vaccinate their children to go back to school. And, there have been a few local cases of severe reactions to Gardasil, the HPV vaccination.

According to the poll on my blog, about 42% of my readers have chosen not to get all of the recommended for some or all of their children. Because many doctors and hospital staff are presenting vaccinating as "the law" most parents are vaccinating their children without the proper education and information. Be aware that it is "the law" that they offer your tiny new baby the vaccines, but you are able to waive any and all of these vaccination given at birth.

If you decide to vaccinate, I recommend that parents wait until their children are at least two years old before doing any vaccinating. As far as school aged children go, I would strongly urge doing a lot of research before getting all of the vaccinations recommended by your pediatrician. Many vaccines are still so new and do not have long term, double-blind placebo test studies done on them. A chiropractor friend of mine recently informed me that longer studies have been done on shampoo than on vaccines. Hmm......

Click here to find a vaccine friendly doctor near you.

Book of the Week

Childhood Vaccinations
by Lauren Feder, M.D.

I recently posted that I would write about vaccinations. Since then, I have been reading and researching beyond what I had already done over the past several years. It has been about eleven years since I first learned of the choices that we have concerning being vaccinated and vaccinating our children.

In addition, about a month ago, the daughter of a close friend of mine contracted the measles. Using holistic health care methods and closely monitoring her temperature and symptoms, my friend was able to care for and nurse her child back to health.

I have also had friends whose children have had whooping cough, influenza, chicken pox, and mumps. None of these are deadly if cared for properly. It is interesting to me that many of the illnesses such as these are vaccinated for. It really gets me thinking about why and how this came to be?

It is important for parents to know is that they always have choices no matter the age of the child. Many schools "require" vaccinations before entering school at certain grade levels. You can request a personal, religious, or medical exemption against vaccinations at any age. For more information on the exemptions forms for each state, go to this website.

Because there is so much information out there, I have decided not to post on this. I am encouraging you to read this book that I found at the library. Dr. Lauren Feder writes about childhood vaccinations. She is a medical doctor who has chosen not to vaccinate her own children. I believe that says a lot. She writes from a neutral point of view and states all pros and cons of vaccinating. She has patients who desire to have their children vaccinated and she provides that. But, what I like about her views is that she takes the time to educate and inform her patients.

I will leave you with this. If you are unsure about what to do with your children after gathering all the information and education possible to make an informed decision, ask your pediatrician if he/she vaccinates his/her children. I would question the validity of the vaccination if my own doctor has chosen against it for his/her own children.

New Poll on Vaccinations

Please take my most recent poll on vaccinations located to the right.

I have recently gotten a lot of feedback and comments on vaccinations and feel that a vaccination post is in the near future. Although I learned more of vaccinations and their pros and cons about eleven years ago, I would like to be able to write about it from an educational and informational point of view. I know that parents want the best for their kids and just need the proper knowledge to make informed decisions.

Some parents believe they are doing the right thing by vaccinating and protecting their kids from harmful diseases. Others believe that the risks of vaccinating are too great and can lead to serious illness and death. And yet, other parents selectively vaccinate against some illnesses and not others.

Although I fit into one of the above categories, in my blog I do not wish to evoke my opinions and beliefs on anyone concerning this topic. I will, however, talk to you personally if you would like.

Please feel free to share your comments...anonymously if you wish.