First, I'm going to show you the other side of my belly with my little (but growing) turtle. This picture was taken 3 weeks ago (@ 25 weeks). Does this side make me look fat? Hahha. :)


Now I'd really like to revisit a topic that many people tried drilling terrible thoughts and fears into my head about (and then I ranted about profusely on here). And that is: the flu shot. This will be much shorter than my past discussion, I promise.

So basically I was told back in October that my immune system was compromised significantly due to my pregnancy and that If I did not get a flu shot, I would almost definitely get the flu. And, if I get the flu, that it would be the worst flu in the world and could potentially be fatal to my baby, and even myself. I read this on multiple websites, and both my doctor and midwife warned me of the risks. I did additional research (click here to read my previous post) and decided it wasn't for me so I politely declined every time I was asked. (At least twice by my midwife, the one and only time I decided to see my actual OB doc, three times by the nurses that took my vitals at each appointment, and by my maternity nurse during our telephone appointment.) The funny and ironic thing is what happened (and didn't happen) over the course of the next three and a half months:

1. I did NOT receive a flu shot, while many other people I know did.
2. Several of my coworkers (both in my dept and others around the store) got the flu and were out of work for days. Even ones that got the flu shot.
3. I've noticed when several friends on my Facebook feed contracted the flu. Again, even some who got the shot.
4. A few ladies in my birth group mentioned having to see other doctors or midwives temporarily because their OB doc contracted the flu. (I'll bet you a million bucks that they got vaccinated, too!)
5. Articles have been circulating the web that I have stumbled upon or that have come across my FB and Twitter feeds about how wrong doctors were this year as to what strains of the flu they included in the vaccine. They were apparently wrong about one particular strand that has been pretty sneaky and making it's way around pretty much terrorizing people's immune systems.
6. Seeing how many other people were getting the flu and reading those articles got kind of scary and only for a second did I doubt my decision. Then I realized that while this was all happening, there was one thing that didn't happen: I HAVE YET TO GET THE FLU.

Now I am not saying that flu season is over and that I will definitely not get it, I'm just putting this into perspective for anyone else who thought I was nuts for not getting vaccinated. The flu shot isn't even helping a ton of people who are getting it anyway because a particular strain was not included in the vaccine. Also, I haven't felt even for a second that my immune system has been compromised. I'm sure it's not in tip-top pre-pregnancy shape, but I eat healthier than most people I know and, although I am no expert, I'm pretty sure what you put into your body has a lot to do with how it responds to outside threats. My body has treated me well thus far, and even if I somehow do get the flu I will know that getting that shot would not have prevented it.

Now, on to my 28 week update!

How far along? 28 weeks.
Total weight gain? Over 17 pounds.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Best moment this week? Baby's first hiccups! My gosh, she is adorable. Also, I am halfway through her block set. :)

How far along? 27 weeks.
Total weight gain? 16-17 pounds.
Stretch marks? None.