Tetanus Shot question...

tinyangel12

I was at the Dr. office on Tuesday for my check up and the Dr. mentioned to me that there was a new recommendation for OB patients. It was the tetanus D shot. She told me that this is recommended for those paitents that have not had a tetanus shot with in the last couple of years. I declined and was curious if anyone else had this recommended to them?

Thanks in Advance

Mztwilson

The tetanus shot she was referring to also vaccinates you for pertussis. Aka whooping cough. If a newborn were to contract whooping cough it could potentially kill them. You might want to reconsider your decision.

DaisyHeadMayzie

^ agreed with what PP said.  The main concern is the pertussis portion of the vaccine.  Your child cannot start receiving protection from that vaccine until they are 6 months old.  My OB suggested a vaccination for anyone who is spending a decent amount of time with a newborn.

tbmadeamistake

If all your doctor told you about the tetanus portion, then you are being under-informed.  As PP's have said, generally when pregnant they use the tetanus jab that has the pertussis included in it.  I would ask for clarification next time you're in and if it has the pertussis definitely get it.  If it's just tetanus, eh, up to you. 

jaybee11

Same as what PPs have said.  FYI, the CDC has quite a bit of info on their website--this page specifically addresses getting the vaccine during pregnancy.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/pregnant/whooping-cough/get-vaccinated.html

tinyangel12

Ok...Thank you ladies! I told my DR we can revist the recommendation at my next appointment. I am seriously considering it now. Thank you.

ElTrain5

LoHerrim said:

I'm allergic to tetanus vaccinations. I am, however, up on my pertussis vaccinations.

@loherrim how did you get a pertussis only vaccine?? I asked and was told it was not available in the U.S. 

ElTrain5

OP - There is quite a bit of substantial research that proves that the Tdap vaccine passes on immunity to your infant in utero, helping to protect them from the disease before they are old enough to complete their own vaccine sequence.  So you and baby both get the protection

Kinipela7

Doc mentioned that I needed to get the TDAP shot as well - I don't even have a choice.  She said whooping cough is on the rise and it's very very dangerous for a newborn.

ElTrain5

Also wanted to point out that according to the CDC "Your protective antibodies are at their highest about 2 weeks after getting the vaccine. So you should get the vaccine late in your pregnancy, preferably during your 27^th through 36^th week, to give your baby the most protection when he is born."

I'd ask your doctor why they were suggesting it at 20 weeks.

nunzchucks

Thanks @eltrain5. I actually forgot when my doc recommended I get it!

kibean

I convinced my brother, sister, and step mother and parents to all get their boosters. I was worried it would be annoying of me to ask them, but it turned out that my sister was the only one who needed to get it. Apparently the military has people get the booster. 

Mom&nurse

My SO got one. I am always up to date as I'm a nurse (have to be) but he had not had either and he saw my aunt who is a PA for something work related and they tossed it his way for baby sake. He needed tetanus and it has added whooping cough protection.

They are not fun but can protect u and baby both.

coffee89

I'll be getting it halfway through the third tri. DH will be getting it around the same time. Between him being in public transit a lot and not being able to remember when his last shot was it wasn't hard to convince him. my parents are refusing to do it though.

Mom&nurse

Oops baby brain. Wrong thread. Lol

catsinawindow

With DS (3years ago) the recommendation was to get a TDap vaccine right after the birth to avoid bringing pertussis (whooping cough) home to your baby. Now the recommendation is for PG ladies to get a TDap between 28 and 36 weeks. Evidently they found that some immunity can be transferred to your baby if you get the vaccine while PG. I will absolutely be getting it. The idea of an unvaccinated infant being exposed to pertussis scares the crap out of me.

catsinawindow

Related question. If your doctor/MW office doesn't offer TDap where are you ladies planning on getting it? Did your insurance cover it?

coffee89

lisagde said:

Related question. If your doctor/MW office doesn't offer TDap where are you ladies planning on getting it? Did your insurance cover it?

Call your insurance company or visit their site. I can go to any pharmacy or clinic inside one if they offer it. You might want to check out the places that offer flu shots (rite-aid, cvs, walmart etc). If that isn't an option I would look into those  free standing urgent care clinics, the ones near me do vaccines.

nunzchucks

lisagde said:

Related question. If your doctor/MW office doesn't offer TDap where are you ladies planning on getting it? Did your insurance cover it?

I have to go to the county health department to get mine. Not sure about insurance. I hope it is covered!

Kinipela7

Getting mine done at Walgreen's.  

Mrs_D_in_KY

Kroger offers the dTap vaccine. But DH and I will be getting our boosters at the hospital for free, the local county board of health offers them for $4 if needed.

We are telling everyone that will be around the baby a lot to get the shot. Most of my family is covered since my brothers wife is due in a couple weeks.

bhead81

LoHerrim said:

ElTrain5 said:

LoHerrim said:

I'm allergic to tetanus vaccinations. I am, however, up on my pertussis vaccinations.

@loherrim how did you get a pertussis only vaccine?? I asked and was told it was not available in the U.S. 

I too am allergic to the tetanus booster and only get it in emergencies. My OB office will order me the pertussis only vaccine when I am 28 weeks and we will do it closer to my due date. She also said it isn't common but it is easy to order and they can have in stock fairly quickly.

Susanrush13

LoHerrim said:

LoHerrim said:

I'm allergic to tetanus vaccinations. I am, however, up on my pertussis vaccinations.

@loherrim how did you get a pertussis only vaccine?? I asked and was told it was not available in the U.S. 

It's available, just not widely. I have a severe reaction (seizures) to tetanus. They only give it on rare occasions like that. That's what my specialist told me.

This is good to know. I'm also allergic to it (not as severe as seizures), but my bf's sister wants us all to have it before we see her new baby in March. I had planned on getting it after I deliver  to avoid any risk to the LO, so maybe I'll see about this option.

tbmadeamistake

I know that the hospital where I'm giving birth has free Tdap vaccines every Friday from 1-4pm.  (I only know this because I saw the poster at my appt. this morning).  You could try local hospitals and see if they offer something like that.