Dtap vaccine during pregnancy. Thoughts?

Lexlovesvino · August 2013

Is recommended to me by mr dr. at 24-34 weeks. I have heard not all doctors recommend it during pregnancy. After doing research I'm leaning toward not getting it. Thoughts?

Mrbatesisinnocent · August 2013

I had to get mine before getting pregnant.

mrshollifield · August 2013

My doctor strongly recommends it, because of the recent outbreaks of whooping cough. I had it 2 weeks ago, and my husband is getting his next month.

mcraig107 · August 2013

I'm getting my DTap after my 3 hour glucose I need it for nursing school though.. Do what you are comfortable with. I didn't get the shot till after I had my baby last pregnancy.

insertclevername · August 2013

They did not offer it when I was pregnant but did offer it in the hospital after DS was born. I know they recommend getting the flu shot while pregnant to pass some of the antibodies on to the fetus. Maybe the same is true for the Dtap but I am not certain about that. If that is the case then I would get it while pregnant.

nofcksgiven · August 2013

My dr told me it's a must have during each pregnancy. It offers you *and* baby protection.

As a side note, I actually had pertussis right before I found out I was pregnant. It was pretty horrible. I was sick as a dog. I'd cough so much that I couldn't breathe. I'd even start vomiting sometimes from how hard I was coughing. Nothing really helped- not cough drops, not robotussin, not even top of the line "oh my God, I can't see straight" prescription cough syrup.

Babies get it worse than adults. It *kills* infants. Check out the disease the vaccine prevents before you say no to it.

They gave me my TDap about 2 weeks ago. I got it earlier than most because they're so worried that I'll be havin a very early baby. The only downside I could find was that my arm hurt for a couple of days.

KFED103 · August 2013

ClaireFraser said:
My doctor told me that they are now recommending women get this while pregnant so the latent antibodies get passed along to the baby.

With DS I received it in the hospital after he was born.

This for me too.

mavgirl_73 · August 2013

I cannot get it as I'm allergic to the Tdap vaccine, the tetnus portion. My husband got it about a year ago and my kids both got it within the last year. I think one with every pregnancy is overkill. We vax on time with our kids but if I did this then I'd be getting them every year and a half.

Edited because apparently I have memory lapses. I'm allergic to tetnus not pertussis.

mrshollifield · August 2013

hercules03 said:
The other part of my concern is that if it is really that big of a necessity, shouldn't they be recommending dads, too? Should my other kids get a TDAP booster?

My doctor is recommending Dads, and any others who will be in regular contact with the baby, get the Tdap.

Edited: I feel like I should add that my husband and I had not had boosters in the last 10 years.

KateVA · August 2013

I had whooping cough when my son was still a breast feeding baby. It was awful and very scary. Thank god he was current on his shots or he could have died if he caught it from me. Get the vaccine

watercolor5 · August 2013

It's safe to get the TDAP during pregnancy, and recommended by most doctors now, based on current research and outbreak. I'll probably get it during pregnancy this time, and have DH get it at the hospital.

It's not the tetanus part of the shot that you really need, it's the pertussis. There does exist a pertussis-only vaccine that has always been safe to take during pregnancy, but it's my understanding that a lot of doctors have trouble stocking it. If you feel worried about the TDAP, I'd ask if the pertussis only vaccine could be made available. Or, if you're really uncomfortable with the idea, just get the vaccine updated in the hospital when you deliver.

I think they recommend it to moms more strongly so baby can get the benefits of protection from the pregnancy/breastfeeding, whereas Dads/siblings just need to have had it recently enough that they can't get and pass the pertussis.

lilybeth12 · August 2013

hercules03 said:

The other part of my concern is that if it is really that big of a necessity, shouldn't they be recommending dads, too? Should my other kids get a TDAP booster?

My hospital recommends that all caregivers get the flu shot and pertussis vaccine. I'm asking the il's and my parents to get it at the very least.

Mh is 'lucky' he had whooping cough in hs, so doesn't need the vaccination.

caseybeth1213 · August 2013

I have heard it makes your arm really sore for awhile. I plan n asking my Dr about it Friday. I would rather have my arm sore now rather than after I deliver when I will need to be holding a precious baby

kittyh8r · August 2013

This is a tough one for me. We're having babies in the dead of Winter and it scares the crap out of me to think about LO getting sick. I will be getting the flu shot for the first time since high school because I want LO to get the antibodies. I would also get the Tdap if I knew it was safe. I have an appt. later today and I will ask my midwife. She is usually very upfront and honest about stuff like this.

caseybeth1213 · August 2013

Loolaide said:

^ really? OMG, then I'm DEFINITELY not getting it.

I think most people are worried about high fevers or other complications causing potential issues with the fetus, etc. A high fever can, for example, cause a perinatal stroke, which can permanently impair your baby's brain function.

Oops, that was in response to caseybeth.

This is the reason I said i was going to ask my doctor about it. I have only heard about the shot and want to talk to her about the risk and potential harms it could have. No need to get nasty.

hjweber · August 2013

I will be getting it soon. Getting it can protect baby from pertussis (whooping cough). DD was born 5 weeks early, unexpectedly. I didn't get it until AFTER she was born to minimize the chance that I could pass it to her. This time, I''m at risk for PTL again and getting the vaccine makes sense to me. I'll also be getting the Flu shot. If I can protect LO while she's inside me, I'll take it!

jaykay627 · August 2013

There is a relatively new recommendation for all pregnant women (without contraindications) to get the TDaP vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks for EVERY pregnancy, and regardless of previous vaccine history (meaning even if you've had a booster within the last ten years). As a pharmacist, it's a big part of my job to not only administer vaccines, but to also stay current on the most recent guidelines, as well as potential risks and special populations. The TDaP vaccine is considered very safe in pregnancy, and the benefits heavily outweigh any potential risks to mother or baby. It is strongly recommended for dads, other family members, and any one else who might be in close contact with the baby to get a booster if they haven't had one in the last ten years.

AGriffin620 · August 2013

I think that was one of the vaccinations included in my five million shots I had to get when we went to India last year (I'd have to check the list). Does that mean I don't need to get it?

hjweber · August 2013

AGriffin620 said:

I think that was one of the vaccinations included in my five million shots I had to get when we went to India last year (I'd have to check the list). Does that mean I don't need to get it?

I got one 2 years ago when my daughter was born. My doc recommended getting it again during this pregnancy. I don't know if that extra year would make a difference, but I would think not. I would say get it again so that baby has the immunity to pertussis. But ask your doc.

jaykay627 · August 2013

Loolaide said:

jkrauss627 said:

There is a relatively new recommendation for all pregnant women (without contraindications) to get the TDaP vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks for EVERY pregnancy, and regardless of previous vaccine history (meaning even if you've had a booster within the last ten years). As a pharmacist, it's a big part of my job to not only administer vaccines, but to also stay current on the most recent guidelines, as well as potential risks and special populations. The TDaP vaccine is considered very safe in pregnancy, and the benefits heavily outweigh any potential risks to mother or baby. It is strongly recommended for dads, other family members, and any one else who might be in close contact with the baby to get a booster if they haven't had one in the last ten years.

Is it legal for you to c&p the prescriber's sheet here? Or summarize it and tell us what it says about testing done on the pertussis vaccine when given to pregnant women?

The CDC and ACOG websites have some great information and resources regarding the new recommendations (cdc.gov and acog.org). You'll also find the links to a growing set of data regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Here's just one example: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22727350. The authors in this study looked at all of the adverse events reported when TDaP was administered to pregnant women and were unable to identify adverse outcomes for mothers, fetuses, or infants.

@AGriffin620- The CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend getting the TDaP for each pregnancy because protection begins to wane after the first year, so it would be a good idea for you to be vaccinated again, even if you received it last year.

lp0 · August 2013

Is this the same vaccine as the vaccine for pertussis?

jaykay627 · August 2013

LP0198 said:

Is this the same vaccine as the vaccine for pertussis?

Yes. TDaP = Tetanus, Diptheria, (acellular) Pertussis

lp0 · August 2013

jkrauss627 said:

LP0198 said:

Is this the same vaccine as the vaccine for pertussis?

Yes. TDaP = Tetanus, Diptheria, (acellular) Pertussis

Oh that's what I thought, thanks for answering.

I got it in the hospital after having DS. They offer it to the moms but unfortunately not the dads.

jaykay627 · August 2013

Loolaide said:

jkrauss627 said:

Loolaide said:

jkrauss627 said:

There is a relatively new recommendation for all pregnant women (without contraindications) to get the TDaP vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks for EVERY pregnancy, and regardless of previous vaccine history (meaning even if you've had a booster within the last ten years). As a pharmacist, it's a big part of my job to not only administer vaccines, but to also stay current on the most recent guidelines, as well as potential risks and special populations. The TDaP vaccine is considered very safe in pregnancy, and the benefits heavily outweigh any potential risks to mother or baby. It is strongly recommended for dads, other family members, and any one else who might be in close contact with the baby to get a booster if they haven't had one in the last ten years.

Is it legal for you to c&p the prescriber's sheet here? Or summarize it and tell us what it says about testing done on the pertussis vaccine when given to pregnant women?

The CDC and ACOG websites have some great information and resources regarding the new recommendations (cdc.gov and acog.org). You'll also find the links to a growing set of data regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Here's just one example: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22727350. The authors in this study looked at all of the adverse events reported when TDaP was administered to pregnant women and were unable to identify adverse outcomes for mothers, fetuses, or infants.

@AGriffin620- The CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend getting the TDaP for each pregnancy because protection begins to wane after the first year, so it would be a good idea for you to be vaccinated again, even if you received it last year.

OK, so this discusses 132 cases of the vaccine being administered over 5 years, from what I see. Is that correct? Are there no larger studies? This is a really small sample size.

And there were spontaneous abortions in almost 17% of the studied cases. Yep, totes safe. And a birth defect in 1%.

RESULTS: We identified 132 reports of Tdap administered to pregnant women; 55 (42%) described no adverse event (AE). No maternal or infant deaths were reported. The most frequent pregnancy-specific AE was spontaneous abortion in 22 (16.7%) reports. Injection site reactions were the most frequent non-pregnancy-specific AE found in 6 (4.5%) reports. One report with a major congenital anomaly (gastroschisis) was identified.

I understand why those numbers are concerning, but none of the adverse outcomes were statistically significantly different from the non-vaccinated population.

jaykay627 · August 2013

I'm at work now, but when I get I get home tonight, I'll do some digging for more studies. I know there are quite a few out there now. While I'm fairly "pro-vaccine," if you want to call it that, I would always recommend reading the facts for yourself and making the best informed decision possible for your family! I'm a firm believer in "My baby, my rules."

ranaverde · August 2013

Meggie0421 said:

My dr told me it's a must have during each pregnancy. It offers you *and* baby protection. As a side note, I actually had pertussis right before I found out I was pregnant. It was pretty horrible. I was sick as a dog. I'd cough so much that I couldn't breathe. I'd even start vomiting sometimes from how hard I was coughing. Nothing really helped- not cough drops, not robotussin, not even top of the line "oh my God, I can't see straight" prescription cough syrup. Babies get it worse than adults. It *kills* infants. Check out the disease the vaccine prevents before you say no to it. They gave me my TDap about 2 weeks ago. I got it earlier than most because they're so worried that I'll be havin a very early baby. The only downside I could find was that my arm hurt for a couple of days.

Yeah, my husband had it a few years ago, and it was damn horrible to watch. He would wake up every night trying to breathe and freaked both of us out. And when he coughed, sometimes he'd cough hard enough to make him puke. And this went on for weeks.

So, yes, we both got boosters before I got pregnant, and I'm getting a booster while pregnant. It is a nasty, nasty disease, and I do not want to have to watch my baby struggle with it.

I'm also insisting that all the grandparents get one, both for their own sakes and for the baby's.

ETA: And both my husband and I were vaccinated against it as children, but he hadn't had any boosters since then. So even if you or your loved ones were vaccinated, it is still a good idea to get an up-to-date booster.

RNmommyof2 · August 2013

I had a booster when I was pregnant with my 19 month old. I was told by my girls' pediatrician that the new recommendation is a Dtap booster with *each* pregnancy. I'll be getting it again.

mavgirl_73 · August 2013

Wishing they had a whooping cough only option but as someone else said, only in Canada....guess this once ill have to rely on keeping baby cocooned for a few months.

jaykay627 · August 2013

Loolaide said:

jkrauss627 said:

I'm at work now, but when I get I get home tonight, I'll do some digging for more studies. I know there are quite a few out there now. While I'm fairly "pro-vaccine," if you want to call it that, I would always recommend reading the facts for yourself and making the best informed decision possible for your family! I'm a firm believer in "My baby, my rules."

Yeah I'm very pro vaccine myself, which is why I'm bugging you about it. I'm unreasonably worried because of the prevailing wisdom from 2 years ago and I don't want to be worried, but it's really hard to reconcile it when I'm only seeing really small studies. I've seen this and another one with pregnant 32 participants, some of whom were given the vaccine during pregnancy and others who were given the vaccine after birth.

I did a little more research and couldn't come up with any large-scale, prospective RCT, but there are quite a few studies, some of which had a few hundred participants, and they all found the same result. The ACIP recommendation was also based on years of data from the VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) and post-market safety analyses from the manufacturers of Adacel and Boostrix, the 2 TDaP vaccines currently on the market. According to the CDC, the vaccine has been used extensively in pregnant women worldwide since the 1960s, and have not been shown to pose any risk. The recommendation hasn't changed because there's new safety data to now say the vaccine is safe when it wasn't before. It's changed because the cocooning method has proved "challenging and insufficient when used alone to prevent neonatal pertussis" (see June 2013 ACOG Committee Option, acog.org), and babies are dying due to lack of protection.

notkateanymore · September 2013

malmarie4 said:

@KateMW My opinion is not spam - have some respect. I doubt you've looked at the ingredients in many vaccines (aluminum, aborted fetus cells, etc). I have respect for ALL mothers no matter what their decision....you should do the same.

It's spam to me if you posted the same thing on two different threads and those are your only posts ever.

notkateanymore · September 2013

Ok, but I did. That's why I flagged you. If it wasn't spam, great. But it was odd timing, that's for sure. The spam button is not a dislike button, so it's not about what you said, it was the manner in which you said it.

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