Tdap during 2nd tri

Adele 1981

My midwife today recommended getting the tdap vaccine if I haven't had it in 10 years. The last time I was vaccinated was around November  or December 2002. Supposedly, whooping cough is going around and can be dangeous during pregnancy. I'm not opposed to vaccines and had my fu shot today. Mayo and the CDC say it's safe. Has anyone heard anything about this, or have any opinions? I don't want any unnecessary vaccines floating around my body, or the baby's! Thanks!

sschwege

Whooping cough isn't 'supposedly' going around it IS going around!  I haven't heard of it being such a threat to pregnant women (though it may very well be), more of a serious threat to newborns.  

I got the TDaP right after DD was born, because at the time it was not approved for pregnant women.  If I wasn't up to date on it I would feel comfortable getting it during pregnancy.  Evidence seems to suggest that the antibodies might pass to the baby and offer some protection after birth.  We feel so strongly about this in fact, that DH was vaccinated as well as both sets of Grandparents and siblings.  I have a friend who does not vaccinate and she won't be coming around until this LO has started his/her shots.  Babies don't just get sick from this, they can die, I'm not taking any chances!  

Adele 1981

I am delivering at a hospital, but my midwife is recommending the vaccine while pregnant. I did read that it transfers immunity to the fetus, as the previous poster said. My roommate in college actually caught whooping cough, and although it didn't seem life threatening (she wasn't hospitalized), she was absolutely miserable for weeks. I guess the vaccine might be worth it just to avoid that!

nosoup4u

I got it right after DS2 was born. Make sure your partner and anyone else who will be in close contact with the baby is up-to-date with it also.

abell77

Yes, I think it's important for you and anyone who will be in regular contact with the baby to be vaccinated.  I chose to wait until after my baby was born and was vaccinated right there in the hospital.

ashmin

This is a source of stress for me.  I'm not sure what I am going to do.  This vaccine is NOT approved for pregnant women whatsoever.  In the vaccine pamphlet it clearly states that this vaccine has NOT been tested on pregnant women. 

So, don't get it then right?  Well, getting it right after birth may not be good enough. It takes 2 weeks after the shot for immunity to begin.  So my choices are:  A. choose to allow myself and my baby to be the lab rats/guinea pigs and take it while pregnant or B. Get it right after birth and have a small window of danger where if I was exposed and caught pertussis then I could pass it to my baby.  

I just wish things like this were studied and we pregnant women and mothers didn't have to make all of these hard decisions.  I also wish it was studied among breastfeeding mothers because I wonder about what passes to the baby in my breastmilk if I were to get it right after birth, and what that does to a newborn's system.  I am torn.

TheQuietGrrrl

ashmin:

I just wish things like this were studied and we pregnant women and mothers didn't have to make all of these hard decisions.

They do, to some degree. meta data.  The chances of an IRB or the FDA authorizing a double blinded placebo clinical trial on a vulnerable population (pregnant women) is pretty slim to none.  However, if a pregnant woman were to accidentally/on purpose get vaccinated, those cases can (and hopefully should) be tracked for adverse events. 

Back when I was pg, tdap wasn't flat-out contraindicated, but it wasn't heartily recommended.  I took a look at the CDC document outlining and basically the only reasons for their guidelines at the time was relative lack of data since the vaccine combo itself was relatively new, and that kind of data is not easy to come by (I think at the time it may have only been 60 something documented cases).

I chose to get it anyway during 2nd tri when I took a look at the adverse event percentages reported (nothing I would have flipped out about), the makeup of the vaccine and the duration of an active case of pertussis (not a life or death risk to a pg woman in general, but if I did get it while pg, it could take weeks to months before no longer being infectious)  Both my GP and OB discussed it with me (and each other).

So yeah, it is "risk" as far as a risk assessment through clinical trials not being available, but to be honest, so is the vast majority of currently available medications, herbals and interventions done to pg women.

 

shutupanddance07

The CDC actually recommends that you have this vaccine while pregnant. Here's what they have to say on pregnancy and vaccinations: 

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/preg-guide.htm

 Now don't get me wrong, I don't think the CDC knows everything or is always right on these things. I just think they're a good starting point when I have questions, and they seem to have done their homework on vaccines. They will tell you when a vaccine has risks, they just usually have deemed the benefit greater than the risk. 

mrsodonnell12

sschwege:

Whooping cough isn't 'supposedly' going around it IS going around!  I haven't heard of it being such a threat to pregnant women (though it may very well be), more of a serious threat to newborns.  

I got the TDaP right after DD was born, because at the time it was not approved for pregnant women.  If I wasn't up to date on it I would feel comfortable getting it during pregnancy.  Evidence seems to suggest that the antibodies might pass to the baby and offer some protection after birth.  We feel so strongly about this in fact, that DH was vaccinated as well as both sets of Grandparents and siblings.  I have a friend who does not vaccinate and she won't be coming around until this LO has started his/her shots.  Babies don't just get sick from this, they can die, I'm not taking any chances!  

100% this. I will be getting the vaccine in the hospital AFTER this LO is born.

kerbear135

The CDC now recommends that pregnant women get one after the 20th week of gestation, but it says preferably during the 3rd trimester https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-td-tdap.pdf (about 1/2 way down on the right column of page 1). So I would ask to wait till you're in the 3rd trimester, then you should be fine

beckpreg

I've read both sides of the argument for and against it during pregnancy. I am sure you all have too. Its scary to think of risking not getting the vaccine but it gets confusing  too b/c they arent 100% the immunity passes to baby if you get the shot while pregnant, they hope it does. Same for Bf'ing. There is also a concern that by having your family and friends immunized that you are causing another issue b/c a high count of the people who are included in the recent studies (who got whooping cough) were not only vaccinated but were up to date on their boosters. The issue with this is that a person can have whooping cough, get vaccinated and still pass it off to others (except they just dont have symptoms)....but Im sure, then again that the vaccine did create immunity for another large group of people.

...........and also the FDA website says it can increase the risk of SIDS.....(sigh).

 Im in a brain fog over it.

Dman85

I got it last time when I was pregnant. Whooping cough IS going around.

tortuga47

I got it before we started trying to get pregnant because I was aware of the outbreaks, but from what I've read, it is recommended for pregnant women now. It's a very dangerous disease and we requested all family that will be staying with us after the birth get it too. If you are really uncomfortable or uncertain, get it before discharge from the hospital, but I'd recommend you have DH and anyone who will be around the baby get it now.

sschwege

ashmin:

This is a source of stress for me.  I'm not sure what I am going to do.  This vaccine is NOT approved for pregnant women whatsoever.  In the vaccine pamphlet it clearly states that this vaccine has NOT been tested on pregnant women. 

So, don't get it then right?  Well, getting it right after birth may not be good enough. It takes 2 weeks after the shot for immunity to begin.  So my choices are:  A. choose to allow myself and my baby to be the lab rats/guinea pigs and take it while pregnant or B. Get it right after birth and have a small window of danger where if I was exposed and caught pertussis then I could pass it to my baby.  

I just wish things like this were studied and we pregnant women and mothers didn't have to make all of these hard decisions.  I also wish it was studied among breastfeeding mothers because I wonder about what passes to the baby in my breastmilk if I were to get it right after birth, and what that does to a newborn's system.  I am torn.

I think the pamphlet you were reading is outdated.  This is straight from the ACOG website:

In light of the recent increased incidence of pertussis in the United States, in 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved recommendations for the use of the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) for pregnant women. 

 Now whether someone feels comfortable trusting the recommendation is up to them, but the CDC believes it is safe.

As far as wishing these things were studied more, everyone wishes that, but who is going to sign up you, me?  I don't think so.  They can study animals forever, but that doesn't guarantee its safety in humans.   

 

barnwife

ashmin:

 So my choices are:  A. choose to allow myself and my baby to be the lab rats/guinea pigs and take it while pregnant or B. Get it right after birth and have a small window of danger where if I was exposed and caught pertussis then I could pass it to my baby.  

I just wish things like this were studied and we pregnant women and mothers didn't have to make all of these hard decisions.  I also wish it was studied among breastfeeding mothers because I wonder about what passes to the baby in my breastmilk if I were to get it right after birth, and what that does to a newborn's system.  I am torn.

As pp said, there is meta data. They don't do other studies because who's going to volunteer? As you stated, do you want to be the guinea pig to see if it causes problems for your fetus?

MrsSmithinOR

I'm waiting until after I give birth.  Whooping cough, from what I have read/understand, is not harmful to the baby in utero and I don't want to risk getting the vaccine while still pg.

ashmin

sschwege:

ashmin:

This is a source of stress for me.  I'm not sure what I am going to do.  This vaccine is NOT approved for pregnant women whatsoever.  In the vaccine pamphlet it clearly states that this vaccine has NOT been tested on pregnant women. 

So, don't get it then right?  Well, getting it right after birth may not be good enough. It takes 2 weeks after the shot for immunity to begin.  So my choices are:  A. choose to allow myself and my baby to be the lab rats/guinea pigs and take it while pregnant or B. Get it right after birth and have a small window of danger where if I was exposed and caught pertussis then I could pass it to my baby.  

I just wish things like this were studied and we pregnant women and mothers didn't have to make all of these hard decisions.  I also wish it was studied among breastfeeding mothers because I wonder about what passes to the baby in my breastmilk if I were to get it right after birth, and what that does to a newborn's system.  I am torn.

I think the pamphlet you were reading is outdated.  This is straight from the ACOG website:

In light of the recent increased incidence of pertussis in the United States, in 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved recommendations for the use of the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) for pregnant women. 

 Now whether someone feels comfortable trusting the recommendation is up to them, but the CDC believes it is safe.

As far as wishing these things were studied more, everyone wishes that, but who is going to sign up you, me?  I don't think so.  They can study animals forever, but that doesn't guarantee its safety in humans.   

 

I feel like we all pregnant women right now getting the vaccine are "signing up" for the study...and just hoping for the best.  Frankly, I don't love that option.  I know ACOG recommends it, but it says plainly in the vaccine inserts that it is an unknown basically.

Here is the current insert on Boostrix:  https://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/UCM152842.pdf

Here is the current insert on Adecel, https://www.vaccineshoppe.com/image.cfm?doc_id=10437&image_type=product_pdf

WHICH STATES: 

"Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Adacel vaccine. It is also not known whether Adacel vaccine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Adacel vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly

needed."

SO, it is up to us to decide if it is "clearly needed".  There have been lots of things that have been said to be "okay" for pregnant women to have (such as antibiotics, etc) that we now know are definitely not okay and caused some damages for sure.  

I am not saying that you or me or whoever shouldn't get the vaccine, just that there are risks either way and that I am very conflicted.

sschwege

ashmin:

sschwege:

ashmin:

This is a source of stress for me.  I'm not sure what I am going to do.  This vaccine is NOT approved for pregnant women whatsoever.  In the vaccine pamphlet it clearly states that this vaccine has NOT been tested on pregnant women. 

So, don't get it then right?  Well, getting it right after birth may not be good enough. It takes 2 weeks after the shot for immunity to begin.  So my choices are:  A. choose to allow myself and my baby to be the lab rats/guinea pigs and take it while pregnant or B. Get it right after birth and have a small window of danger where if I was exposed and caught pertussis then I could pass it to my baby.  

I just wish things like this were studied and we pregnant women and mothers didn't have to make all of these hard decisions.  I also wish it was studied among breastfeeding mothers because I wonder about what passes to the baby in my breastmilk if I were to get it right after birth, and what that does to a newborn's system.  I am torn.

I think the pamphlet you were reading is outdated.  This is straight from the ACOG website:

In light of the recent increased incidence of pertussis in the United States, in 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved recommendations for the use of the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) for pregnant women. 

 Now whether someone feels comfortable trusting the recommendation is up to them, but the CDC believes it is safe.

As far as wishing these things were studied more, everyone wishes that, but who is going to sign up you, me?  I don't think so.  They can study animals forever, but that doesn't guarantee its safety in humans.   

 

I feel like we all pregnant women right now getting the vaccine are "signing up" for the study...and just hoping for the best.  Frankly, I don't love that option.  I know ACOG recommends it, but it says plainly in the vaccine inserts that it is an unknown basically.

Here is the current insert on Boostrix:  https://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/UCM152842.pdf

Here is the current insert on Adecel, https://www.vaccineshoppe.com/image.cfm?doc_id=10437&image_type=product_pdf

WHICH STATES: 

"Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Adacel vaccine. It is also not known whether Adacel vaccine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Adacel vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly

needed."

SO, it is up to us to decide if it is "clearly needed".  There have been lots of things that have been said to be "okay" for pregnant women to have (such as antibiotics, etc) that we now know are definitely not okay and caused some damages for sure.  

I am not saying that you or me or whoever shouldn't get the vaccine, just that there are risks either way and that I am very conflicted.

You are right all vaccines have their risks, pregnant or not.   We all have to weigh the risks vs. the benefits.  As far as it being a Category C, that is not in itself alarming to me, Tums are also a Category C!  As to the insert, it goes on to say that it has been tested on pregnant animals and there were no observable adverse effects.   Does that guarantee its safety for humans?  No, that's where it comes down to weighing the risks and benefits.

I agree with you 100% that when pregnant women take anything we become the 'long-term studies'.  Truthfully, I'm glad it wasn't approved for pregnant women when I was pregnant.  The choice was made for me, I had to wait until after I had DD and this time around I don't need it because I am up-to-date on my vaccine.  My point was only to say: A) contrary to what you said earlier it is approved (whether that makes it safe or not is up for debate) you said you wished things like this were studied, and my point was to say they are studied within the  limits of what would be considered morally responsible.