Tdap Vaccine

woodsie915 · November 2013

So I'm currently going to an OB practice that supports natural child birth while seeing a doula. They both want me to make an informed decision about the Tdap vaccine. Does anyone know a lot about that? Are they safe? Is that considered all natural? Some people say no to vaccines and some people say yes, but no one has given me a reason to support their answer.

TheBorg7of9 · November 2013

I think the risk of death from pertussis is far higher than the risk of the shot. In fact, are there any scientifically proven risks of problems from getting the shot?

aylafsu88 · November 2013

TheBorg7of9 said:

I think the risk of death from pertussis is far higher than the risk of the shot. In fact, are there any scientifically proven risks of problems from getting the shot?

I agree. Most of the anti-vax information out there is not from credible scientific sources. OP I hope you have heard about the recent reports of pertussis. IMO keeping my baby safe is important.

If you want a good book to read check out Dr Sears vaccine book. It talks about each vaccine, what the components are and how safe they are. He has a delayed vaccination schedule, so that LO does not get as many shots at once, but his message is clear-vaccines are safe and important.

mb314 · November 2013

Are you concerned about the Tdap for you or for your LO? In any case, pertussis is a growing risk, and I didn't hesitate to get my shot (and DS' shots on schedule). I was given the Tdap shot at the hospital, after delivery. I have heard mixed things about giving it to pregnant women. Some seem to get it during pregnancy, others after delivery.

I would also recommend that your SO and any grandparents and regular visitors get it as well.

CDMay2006 · November 2013

Vaccines are not natural (in concept or content), but that doesn't mean they need to be avoided; in most cases (and especially with pertussis and a newborn) the risks are far outweighed by the benefits.
Dr Sears has a vaccine book you may want to check out. You could also see if pertussis-only vaccines are available in your area (instead of the usual one combined with diphtheria and tetanus) to avoid vaccines that are not immediately necessary while pregnant (your baby is not likely to be exposed to either in their fourth trimester if you live a typical American lifestyle).
The cdc are a good resource for finding out about the disease (rates, transmission, prognosis, treatment, etc.).

insertclevername · November 2013

I plan to get the tdap booster at my next OB visit. Some of the immunities can be passed on to the baby in utero just like with the flu shot.

woodsie915 · November 2013

Thank you so much! I don't know anything about vaccines, but this helps.

scorch90 · November 2013

My OB is also pretty pro-natural, even telling me to avoid artificial sweeteners, and she gave me my Tdap at 22wks with no qualms. She also told me it takes about 4wks for the immunity to fully develop, so if getting it as early as I did makes you nervous, I'd still try to get it about a month before your due date.

CurlieWhirlie · November 2013

@scorch90 How was the Tdap, pain-wise? Tetanus boosters can hurt like a mother.

J&Jaggies06 · November 2013

CurlieWhirlie said:

@scorch90 How was the Tdap, pain-wise? Tetanus boosters can hurt like a mother.

It made my arm super soar for about 4 days. Way worse than a flu shot.

MrsBigTime · November 2013

I haven't done any research on the TDap vaccine specifically, but I do know about the treatment of pertussis and that is enough to scare me away! I am all for delayed schedules and all of that, but I will not recommend anyone forgoing this vaccine!

I recently cared for a baby who contracted Pertussis from someone in his community (mom had the vaccine during a prior pregnancy but didn't get the booster, I think) and he was on a heart-lung bypass machine for nearly a month and he was in the PICU for nearly two months total. He nearly died multiple times, but thankfully, was able to go home with only minor delays, though he did need oxygen and a feeding tube for a few months after going home.

I've seen the horror this disease can do to a family and to children, little babies specifically, and that's enough for me to fight it with every resource we have!

MrsBigTime · November 2013

CurlieWhirlie said:

@scorch90 How was the Tdap, pain-wise? Tetanus boosters can hurt like a mother.

I didn't notice it at all. The flu shot was way worse!

scorch90 · November 2013

@CurlieWhirlie It was the least painful shot I have ever gotten, possibly including TB tests! My arm was a little stiff a few hours later, but once I stretched it was fine.

@J&Jaggies06 I think there are three different types of shots, with different levels of what's in them, maybe that's why? I know my tetanus vaccine before was really painful.

@MrsBigTime I totally agree! Flu shot actually hurt.

greenmama2013 · November 2013

I agree, the Tdap is something that you are probably best getting. What I did however was gave my first baby an "alternative schedule"--Dr. Sears offers one that you can look up online, and I also consulted with a friend that lives in Germany to see what their schedule was like. So my daughter wound up with more doctor visits, but vaccines that were spread out. Also, what most people have told me is that the more that you can separate (as opposed to combined vaccines), the better, because the combined vaccines often contain more preservatives.

cattlebride · November 2013

There have been more frequent outbreaks of Pertussis in recent years which is why many providers are doing a Tdap instead of just a redular Td vaccination. Pertussis or Whooping cough is pretty serious in young children due to how badly it can affect thier breathing. I personally have chosen to get the vaccine.

I'm so impressed with how well infomed this board is from a medical standpoint. Great advice ladies and information on alot of different posts!

avalei · November 2013

The Vaccine Book by Robert Sears - definitely a good read!

shelbyholden · November 2013

I went ahead and got the Tdap vaccine when I was 35 weeks pregnant because we will be delaying vaccinating the baby until about 4 months. I looked up the drug names/brand names for the immunizations that were being recommended on the VAERS database, where you can see the reported side effects caused by each vaccine (I hit ctrl+find and then searched for each vaccine name).

shelbyholden · November 2013

(ctrl+f) sorry

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