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I already cut seafood from my diet. Did my research on mercury in fish. Some are worse than others, like Tuna, Swordfish, etc. So hmmmmm to you too. I knew I had good reason to be reluctant to post on this site due to people like you who don't believe in the freedom of choice....

Actually, I applaud anyone who does their research and CHOOSES what is right for their child. Where did I say I did not believe in the freedom to choose? I simply asked a question. I will bet a good amount of people who choose against the vaccines containing mercury still eat tuna on occasion, while pregnant. I was wondering if anyone would admit to that.

my apologies...I am just so used to being looked at like someone with the plague when I voice my vaccination stance. sorry I took it so personal... My father in law was a big natural health nut, only ate organic whole foods, raw milk, raw cheese, raw garlic by the clove, no seafood, even stayed away from the microwave (as I am/do while I'm pregnant). He was the healthiest man I knew until he developed leukemia in his 70's apparently from years of exposure to benzene or possible a toxic spill that happened near his home. My husband has alot of his fathers traits and they rubbed off on me. Again, please accept my apologies...

I would just like to say something to women in canada. The only vaccine used that contains thimerosol as a preservative is the flu vaccine, and is not any of the recommended infant vaccines. This mercury containing agent is what some believe causes autism, and since it is not commonly used here on babies, please don't be afraid to immunize your children. The recent downfall in child immunizations in England has led to outbreaks of the measles, and some studies have shown that contracting rhubella while pregnant puts you at a very high risk of having an autistic child (as well as other deformities or the loss of your baby). Either way, we just can't win, and truthfully, no one knows what causes autism, so IMO it is better to be safe and have them immunized against a plethora of diseases, rather than leave them at risk for all of them, just to prevent something that may or may not even be preventable. Also, just because the majority of the population is vaccinated against certain diseases, does not mean they can not be carriers of those diseases (and show no symptoms). The chickenpox vaccine is new, and undertested, so staying away from that is reasonable, especially since babies are at greatest risk of complications before 12 months, and the vaccine is given at the one year mark.

wasnt said but impliEd. Val I feel your pain. I recently took my baby to a ped, who launched into a terrible brow beating about my baby's shot records not being up to date. People like are us are very hard to find, I was hoping to find a group of women in my area who shared the same belief to form a play group. (I think it would be irresponsible to join a playgroup where the children are vaccinated.) I'd really like to share notes with you. I have some questions that I am having a time finding the answers to--maybe you can help? Although the mercury found in seafood is different from the mercury found in vaccines the effects are pretty much the same. I love it but quit while pregnant, but because mercury is everywhere it's impossible that I did not have any. Mercury isn't my only objection to vaccination, as you can see from this thread are varying reasons for refusing vaccinations. No one reason is any better than the other and should all be respected. And to the last post, if your are as old as I am you probably had actual chicken pox as a child, your immunity is pa__sed on to your child for the first 12 months. I believe this also applies to women have had the Chicken Pox vaccination. In the US, this vaccine isn't scheduled until ~15 months. Maybe the US should adopt the Canadian policy and move this to the 1 yr mark too.

Actually ~, i have noticed many differences in the policies of the US and canada, especially when it comes to infant and children's medical treatments. Your post made me wonder.. how long has the chickenpox vaccine been available there?? It has only become available to us in the last five years (or maybe six), so not many adult women are vaccinated.. Also, which of the vaccines there contain thimerosol?

I remember reading that it was first available in Japan about 40 yrs ago and then US 30 yrs ago. I don't remember where I read it so I am not sure of the reliability of the data source. If I have time tomorrow maybe I find it again. Also re read my previous post and realized I left out a whole sentence or two, mid rant I started responding to the question about seafood consumption during pregnancy.

I am not judging you, but I am wondering why it would be irresponsible to join a playgroup of vaccinated children?

Okay, ladies. I know I am going to get a lot of flak for this, but I have to add my own two cents worth. I will vaccinate my child no matter what. i know that they can have reactions, but I think the benefits far outweigh the consequences. I don't think I could bear it if my child contracted something like polio and died or was crippled for life when it could be prevented. Yes ladies, POLIO. Polio is still present throughout much of the world, and it is only in countries that have vaccinated that it is not present anymore. There is a common misconception that these diseases aren't around anymore. All it would take would be one person to come from overseas and start spreading something that isn't common here anymore to those who haven't been immunized, then we would have an endemic. Also, I would definitely think of those other diseases that can KILL an infant before writing off the vaccinations for them. My nephew contracted meningococcal right before he was due for his vaccine-he almost died and was in the hospital for months. That is a fairly common disease even in the first world countries. Now, I just have to add one other thing. The idea that autism is caused by vaccines is just not solid. Yes, there has been an increase in the diagnosis in recent years, but you also have to consider that in earlier years, the cla__sification for things like autism and asperger's syndrome weren't around-most people who exhibited symptoms were cla__sified as mentally challenged or below average intelligence. So, the rise in the diagnosis of autistic characteristics could very well be attributed to a better diagnosing system or better knowledge about medicine. Also, I consider the people around me as well. I wouldn't want to be the cause of a pregnant lady losing her child because my baby didn't get her vaccines and contracted measles. I don't want to contribute to the reappearing of any of these diseases in my country. Just think of what just happened in Nigeria a little while ago. People were afraid to get thier children immunized due to some misconceptions and fears and the outbreak they were having worsened and more people died.

Because it may be possible for them to pa__s along what they have recently been immunized against. Although later this could be beneficial, at this point it would be prudent for me to avoid these types of situations.

Who on earth told you that? That is not true... Not by any means.

~ I wouldn't worry so much about playgroups. How old is your child? I had mine in a playgroup before age 2 and never had any problems on either side. I have been very fortunate to find friends that do not judge me on my decisions. However, I so badly want to meet people who have made these decisions. Don't be afraid to let you child mingle with others. I didn't keep track of who was getting shots and when, I just let her play... I would love to get in touch with you to share thoughts and experiences. Do you have an email address?

No one told me that, it's what I have found from my own research from sources I trust. None of those sources indicated that it was a definite, just that it was a possiblity which makes sense, since some vaccine contain live virus. Val my child is just under 1. This is the time when any of these illnesses would be the most devistating, which is why I am reluctant to join a play group of recently immunized children. My email is babylove092904@yahoo.com

Think about that... If the vaccine itself is the live virus, a miniscule quant_ty which allows the child to build antibodies to protect against future exposure, doesn't it seem obvious that your child's exposure to such a small amount of live virus would not yield a full outbreak, and instead your child would build antibodies as a result of a minor exposure? It would not be enough to make your child ill. I don't know where you are getting your info but it is incorrect.

Yes I knwo that my child would build immunity to it , which is what I was alluding to when I said "Although later this could be beneficial..." Now think about this when you say "doesn't it seem obvious that your child's exposure to such a small amount of live virus..." is still exposure. So isn't it just as plausible that this exposure could lead to actually contracting the virus? I 'll even agree that it may be a milder form of the virus.

Your child can not contract the disease that a child was recently vaccinated from.