TDAP??

Mcullz4 · April 2015

Just curious who has decided to get the TDAP in their 3rd trimester and who is waiting until after baby is born? And why?

I asked my doctor what he recommended and he told me to research it and make the decision on my own, but he's fine with doing it now or later. I've been trying to read up on it and my baby-brain is mush.
(And yes, I went back and read precious discussions on this that were a few months ago, but I think more of us June mommies are in the 3rd trimester now and I need advice!)
Thanks!

starrysmile18 · April 2015

Had it done at my routine visit last week. Also did it at 28 weeks when pregnant with my DS back in 2012.

ElRuby · April 2015

There was a great poll and thread on this topic.

Frogger5 · April 2015

Why would you not do it now? They know that some of the protection goes to the baby if you do it in 3rd tri, and that's the whole point, right? You aren't the only one who can pass the disease to your LO, so although you getting it in the hospital is better than not, it isn't the best.

delujm0 · April 2015

I had mine today at my 30w appointment. the only reason i got it at all was to pass protection to the baby...i had a booster less than a year ago before i went to South Africa on my honeymoon, so i'm personally current on the vaccine. There would be zero point to me getting it at the hospital after the birth because i'm already immune. i did it for the baby.

I'll also be insisting that anyone who is gonig to be handling the baby a lot in the first few months (grandparents, etc) make sure they are current. The boosters generally last about 5 years. DH had his last year when i had my last one, so he's already in the clear.

KaLikeAWind · April 2015

I'm getting it at my appointment tomorrow (I'm 31 weeks), specifically to pass on the antibodies to the ewok. My Dr does recommend it as there recently were some cases of Whooping Cough in the area so we know its around.

Sportzchck · April 2015

I am getting mine at my 32 week appointment and my husband is going in to his doctor that week as well. We also have informed our family who will be around her frequently to get their boosters done.

knwilliams01 · April 2015

I agree with PPs - got mine at 30 weeks. Any help I can pass on to baby is great. Also had my DH and close family get boosters if their last dose was more than 5 years ago.

nsilberman216 · April 2015

Got mine yesterday at 32 weeks. She didn't give me a choice!

hailee8706 · April 2015

I just got mine today at 32 weeks. Like other posters said anything I can do to protect my babies

ElRuby · April 2015

I doubt OP is doing anything NOT to protect her babies... I can't stand when people assume their decisions (based on very recent recommendations) are somehow superior to someone else's.

obryana6219 · April 2015

For some reason my OB told me I couldn't have mine until after I deliver. I actually need it for school and I had to get documentation stating that I couldn't have it. I never asked the reason why though. I'll have to do that at my next appointment.

Frogger5 · April 2015

ElRuby said:
I doubt OP is doing anything NOT to protect her babies... I can't stand when people assume their decisions (based on very recent recommendations) are somehow superior to someone else's.

The new recommendations are based on the latest science, though. I don't think anyone is saying if she doesn't do it she's making a horrible decision and must hate her kids. I think following the latest guidelines is superior to following outdated ones. It's not an opinion kind of thing. If there's no reason not to do it now, why wouldn't you? Potential benefit without increased risk (if you don't believe it's actually proven to be beneficial)?

Katerina&Baby · April 2015

ElRuby said:
I doubt OP is doing anything NOT to protect her babies... I can't stand when people assume their decisions (based on very recent recommendations) are somehow superior to someone else's.

I have kept my mouth shut every times this comes up but enough is enough. Seriously - it's time to lose the chip on your shoulder about TDAP. We get it - for your last child, they hadn't started recommending TDAP during pregnancy and you're inherently suspicious of "very recent" changes in the CDC's recommendations so you'll be doing the same thing with this little one. You've posted on this about a dozen times. It's totally your choice and that's fine.

However, what's annoying to me is that you seem to always have this attitude (although it doesn't come across quite so much in your post here) that people who choose to have TDAP during pregnancy are silly or, even worse, NAIVE for following the CDC's recommendations here. You keep implying that since the change is "recent" (October 2012), that it is somehow not valid. Did it ever occur to you that maybe the CDC changed their recommendation based on legitimate, peer-reviewed and published literature that showed that TDAP antibodies passed to baby in utero protected baby better than solely cocooning (cocooning being the term given to describe the previous recommendation that everyone in contact with baby be up to date on their own vaccine)? This makes a lot of sense since cocooning is, by definition, only giving indirect protection to baby while TDAP during pregnancy provides direct protection (passing along antibodies).

People are free to make their own decisions about TDAP but the only person here that I see acting like their view is superior is YOU.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6207a4.htm?mobile=nocontent

https://jama.jamanetwork.com/Mobile/article.aspx?articleid=1866102

Frogger5 · April 2015

Here's an ACOG abstract that explains the evolution of the recommendations.

https://m.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Update-on-Immunization-and-Pregnancy-Tetanus-Diphtheria-and-Pertussis-Vaccination?IsMobileSet=true

I searched around but didn't find anything quickly about how many infants died of it last year. I did find though, that half of all infants who catch it need to be hospitalized, and 1-2% die. There are real outbreaks, and it's not a joke, so if I can do anything safe that will help to protect my child from this disease, I will do it.

Mcullz4 · April 2015

Thanks for the input. I want to do whatever is best for the baby. This is my first baby and I didn't even know anything about the shot until a friend of mine brought it up and I just asked at my 30w appt.

I completely agree that she needs to be protected, whether it's now or i make everyone get a booster if they want to be around here until she's old enough to get her own vaccine. I've asked friends and they've gone both ways. I guess it threw me off when my doctor told me he's okay with either decision but wanted me to read about the risks/benefits and decide on my own. I think I would've rather had him tell me what he thinks I should do! Then I would just listen to him and wouldn't have to read about any risks (which are always going to stand out in your head above the benefits)

ElRuby · April 2015

Katerina&Baby said:

ElRuby said:
I doubt OP is doing anything NOT to protect her babies... I can't stand when people assume their decisions (based on very recent recommendations) are somehow superior to someone else's.
I have kept my mouth shut every times this comes up but enough is enough. Seriously - it's time to lose the chip on your shoulder about TDAP. We get it - for your last child, they hadn't started recommending TDAP during pregnancy and you're inherently suspicious of "very recent" changes in the CDC's recommendations so you'll be doing the same thing with this little one. You've posted on this about a dozen times. It's totally your choice and that's fine.

However, what's annoying to me is that you seem to always have this attitude (although it doesn't come across quite so much in your post here) that people who choose to have TDAP during pregnancy are silly or, even worse, NAIVE for following the CDC's recommendations here. You keep implying that since the change is "recent" (October 2012), that it is somehow not valid. Did it ever occur to you that maybe the CDC changed their recommendation based on legitimate, peer-reviewed and published literature that showed that TDAP antibodies passed to baby in utero protected baby better than solely cocooning (cocooning being the term given to describe the previous recommendation that everyone in contact with baby be up to date on their own vaccine)? This makes a lot of sense since cocooning is, by definition, only giving indirect protection to baby while TDAP during pregnancy provides direct protection (passing along antibodies).

People are free to make their own decisions about TDAP but the only person here that I see acting like their view is superior is YOU.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6207a4.htm?mobile=nocontent

https://jama.jamanetwork.com/Mobile/article.aspx?articleid=1866102

Glad you got it but a little concerned about how you feel the need to remind me if guidelines I full read and understand.. And your level of commitment to reading and remembering my specific posts. And we have had enough posts on the TDAP so I will continue to post my opinion when I read them and I hope you continue to do the same.

ElRuby · April 2015

ElRuby said:

Katerina&Baby said:

ElRuby said:
I doubt OP is doing anything NOT to protect her babies... I can't stand when people assume their decisions (based on very recent recommendations) are somehow superior to someone else's.
I have kept my mouth shut every times this comes up but enough is enough. Seriously - it's time to lose the chip on your shoulder about TDAP. We get it - for your last child, they hadn't started recommending TDAP during pregnancy and you're inherently suspicious of "very recent" changes in the CDC's recommendations so you'll be doing the same thing with this little one. You've posted on this about a dozen times. It's totally your choice and that's fine.

However, what's annoying to me is that you seem to always have this attitude (although it doesn't come across quite so much in your post here) that people who choose to have TDAP during pregnancy are silly or, even worse, NAIVE for following the CDC's recommendations here. You keep implying that since the change is "recent" (October 2012), that it is somehow not valid. Did it ever occur to you that maybe the CDC changed their recommendation based on legitimate, peer-reviewed and published literature that showed that TDAP antibodies passed to baby in utero protected baby better than solely cocooning (cocooning being the term given to describe the previous recommendation that everyone in contact with baby be up to date on their own vaccine)? This makes a lot of sense since cocooning is, by definition, only giving indirect protection to baby while TDAP during pregnancy provides direct protection (passing along antibodies).

People are free to make their own decisions about TDAP but the only person here that I see acting like their view is superior is YOU.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6207a4.htm?mobile=nocontent

https://jama.jamanetwork.com/Mobile/article.aspx?articleid=1866102

Glad you got it but a little concerned about how you feel the need to remind me if guidelines I full read and understand.. And your level of commitment to reading and remembering my specific posts. And we have had enough posts on the TDAP so I will continue to post my opinion when I read them and I hope you continue to do the same.

And pretty sure I made a point to qualify than none of my opinions are superior since I am not a biomedical researcher but thanks for adding that inaccurate information.

ElRuby · April 2015

Frogger5 said:

ElRuby said:
I doubt OP is doing anything NOT to protect her babies... I can't stand when people assume their decisions (based on very recent recommendations) are somehow superior to someone else's.
The new recommendations are based on the latest science, though. I don't think anyone is saying if she doesn't do it she's making a horrible decision and must hate her kids. I think following the latest guidelines is superior to following outdated ones. It's not an opinion kind of thing. If there's no reason not to do it now, why wouldn't you? Potential benefit without increased risk (if you don't believe it's actually proven to be beneficial)?

No my post was more in reaction to the "protect my babies" thing... I don't have an opinion in what other people are doing with that particular vaccine although we have several threads on this and as Katerina pointed out I have posted on it before which I didn't realize broke the rule :-/

KonaCoffeeBean · April 2015

I had it at 28 weeks. In addition to my doctor's trustworthy advice, I find the ACOG article (see Frogger's post) very convincing.

ElRuby · April 2015

Mcullz4 said:
Thanks for the input. I want to do whatever is best for the baby. This is my first baby and I didn't even know anything about the shot until a friend of mine brought it up and I just asked at my 30w appt.

I completely agree that she needs to be protected, whether it's now or i make everyone get a booster if they want to be around here until she's old enough to get her own vaccine. I've asked friends and they've gone both ways. I guess it threw me off when my doctor told me he's okay with either decision but wanted me to read about the risks/benefits and decide on my own. I think I would've rather had him tell me what he thinks I should do! Then I would just listen to him and wouldn't have to read about any risks (which are always going to stand out in your head above the benefits)

My doctor had the same approach so I guess that's why I leaned toward what is familiar ... I see a different doctor at each visit (same group) and none had really strong recommendations on this particular issue. Use what information you have to make a decision... There are a lot of great resources, some of which have been posted here. Best of luck to you in whatever decision you make.

lovethatcolosun · April 2015

This is a tough one that I struggle with. Most vaccines are a class C drug, some are class B. So to think there are no possible side effects when you get a vaccine while pregnant is not correct. Many people just trust their doctors opinion without doing further research, which I can understand, because they are supposed to be the experts. I get it. There are other factors for me though and I don't fully trust everything the cdc nor FDA says. I take it with a grain of salt and realize they don't know EVERTHING and they could possibly be pursuaded by other factors. As you can see guidelines change all the time. I talked if over with my healthcare provider, weighed both the pros and cons and I'm pretty convinced that I will not be getting the vaccine while pregnant. I also don't get the flu vaccine while pregnant. I do however vaccinate myself and child (with the exception of the flu vaccine). For me I know I won't be going out much for the first 6-8 weeks as we get adjusted and settled into our routine at home to our risk of exposure is greatly diminished. It's also not the "season" for cold and flu when LO is born. Getting the TDAP vaccine does not guarantee you protection from the virus, just like the flu vaccine. As you can see for me there are many factors that weighed in on this decision and I feel there shouldn't be judgment on "I'm doing what is best for my baby," because as you can see there are a lot of variables that factor into this. To each his/her own. I say do your own research, write down your concerns and questions and talk them over with your SO and doc and go from there. Don't let a bunch of internet strangers guilt you into a decision one way or another.

devyns2nd · April 2015

I'm still at odds and haven't made a decision

vaccines are a touchy subject. Maybe more than politics and religion around moms.

Frogger5 · April 2015

lovethatcolosun said:
This is a tough one that I struggle with. Most vaccines are a class C drug, some are class B. So to think there are no possible side effects when you get a vaccine while pregnant is not correct. Many people just trust their doctors opinion without doing further research, which I can understand, because they are supposed to be the experts. I get it. There are other factors for me though and I don't fully trust everything the cdc nor FDA says. I take it with a grain of salt and realize they don't know EVERTHING and they could possibly be pursuaded by other factors. As you can see guidelines change all the time. I talked if over with my healthcare provider, weighed both the pros and cons and I'm pretty convinced that I will not be getting the vaccine while pregnant. I also don't get the flu vaccine while pregnant. I do however vaccinate myself and child (with the exception of the flu vaccine). For me I know I won't be going out much for the first 6-8 weeks as we get adjusted and settled into our routine at home to our risk of exposure is greatly diminished. It's also not the "season" for cold and flu when LO is born. Getting the TDAP vaccine does not guarantee you protection from the virus, just like the flu vaccine. As you can see for me there are many factors that weighed in on this decision and I feel there shouldn't be judgment on "I'm doing what is best for my baby," because as you can see there are a lot of variables that factor into this. To each his/her own. I say do your own research, write down your concerns and questions and talk them over with your SO and doc and go from there. Don't let a bunch of internet strangers guilt you into a decision one way or another.

There isn't a "season" for pertussis, though, just saying.

I could understand "doing your own research" if there were actually two legitimate sides with equally valid research, but that isn't the case. On one hand you have the latest and best recommendations based on the best available scientific research, and on the other you have what? Your feelings about it? I'm really not being snarky, I'm serious, what sources for evidence did you find on the other side?

The other problem is, even if you "do your own research," you aren't really doing research, you're just reading articles or abstracts. If you aren't educated in interpreting research studies, it can lead you to wildly inaccurate conclusions. That's partly why we're even having this debate - someone reads something, doesn't understand it, and spreads inaccurate information.

I don't think the FDA and CDC always have the public's best interest at heart, but they aren't the (only) ones making this recommendation. I know none of this will change your mind, but man, I wish it would.

delujm0 · April 2015

Class C drugs are one thing (you really need to research WHY they are Class C because it could be that they're definitely harmful or it could just be that studies with positive outcomes have been done but long term followups aren't complete yet)...but Class B drugs are not harmful. Prenatal vitamins, as well as the drugs commonly prescribed for morning sickness are both Class B drugs but no one bats an eye at taking those. The reason that they are B and not A is that there are moral issues today about doing the kind of testing necessary to get a Class A rating. This is why the existing Class A drugs are classified there due to studies done a long time ago before the moral issues were considered.

To be Class B there needs to be a lot of scientific research done on people that took the drugs while pregnant where there were not negative outcomes as a result of the drug. I get that hearing something is class B and not A is scary if you're not informed about HOW drugs get their ratings...but if you're doing your own research on vaccines you should at least be researching how these ratings are assigned if you want all of the knowledge necessary to make the decision.

That said tdap is C (due to the studies being new, not because there have been negative outcomes) and the flu vaccine is B, just for everyone's information. I personally decided to have them both.

laurendutch · April 2015

delujm0 said:
Class C drugs are one thing (you really need to research WHY they are Class C because it could be that they're definitely harmful or it could just be that studies with positive outcomes have been done but long term followups aren't complete yet)...but Class B drugs are not harmful. Prenatal vitamins, as well as the drugs commonly prescribed for morning sickness are both Class B drugs but no one bats an eye at taking those. The reason that they are B and not A is that there are moral issues today about doing the kind of testing necessary to get a Class A rating. This is why the existing Class A drugs are classified there due to studies done a long time ago before the moral issues were considered.

To be Class B there needs to be a lot of scientific research done on people that took the drugs while pregnant where there were not negative outcomes as a result of the drug. I get that hearing something is class B and not A is scary if you're not informed about HOW drugs get their ratings...but if you're doing your own research on vaccines you should at least be researching how these ratings are assigned if you want all of the knowledge necessary to make the decision.

That said tdap is C (due to the studies being new, not because there have been negative outcomes) and the flu vaccine is B, just for everyone's information. I personally decided to have them both.

I had this discussion with my allergist (also studied pediatrics) and he said that there are only two type A drugs Tylenol and something else really obscure. They just don't do testing on pregnant women anymore to get a Class A ranking

Addelie · April 2015

I find this really interesting given that my experience in the UK is that it's totally just assumed that all pregnant women get the pertussis vaccine between 28 - 32 weeks. No one I know even questions whether to get it - we all just do. At my doctor's surgery there is a special walk-in clinic for the vaccine and I've even been texted by the NHS multiple times to remind me to go and get it.

There's an area in the UK called Brighton which is known for being quite open-minded and free thinking (I really love it there - it's got a great buzz). I have a couple of friends who live there. However, one of the down-sides (according to my friends) is that that a lot of parents don't vaccinate their kids there - it appears to be quite a problem as there have been a couple of outbreaks in whooping cough there.

Personally I think it's a no-brainer but I respect people who do their research into it and don't just nod and go "okay!" like I do. I do agree with @Frogger5 though and think it's a good idea to be careful about what kind of articles are read when carrying out research. Medical journals are unbiased but there's a lot of stuff out there that isn't.

dirtymartini · April 2015

Of course CDC recommendations change. Wouldn't it be more concerning if recommendations never changed? I would hope they continuously review the available data, literature, and information, and update recommendations, if warranted.. After all, conditions in the world around us are always changing, so the recommendations need to keep up with those changing conditions.

So, since they have recently changed, then I see the recommendations as better yet, - that just means they are the most accurate and up to date. I'll follow the CDC since I think they know a little more about this topic than me, and you, and everyone else reading this.

lovethatcolosun · April 2015

Frogger5 said:

lovethatcolosun said:
This is a tough one that I struggle with. Most vaccines are a class C drug, some are class B. So to think there are no possible side effects when you get a vaccine while pregnant is not correct. Many people just trust their doctors opinion without doing further research, which I can understand, because they are supposed to be the experts. I get it. There are other factors for me though and I don't fully trust everything the cdc nor FDA says. I take it with a grain of salt and realize they don't know EVERTHING and they could possibly be pursuaded by other factors. As you can see guidelines change all the time. I talked if over with my healthcare provider, weighed both the pros and cons and I'm pretty convinced that I will not be getting the vaccine while pregnant. I also don't get the flu vaccine while pregnant. I do however vaccinate myself and child (with the exception of the flu vaccine). For me I know I won't be going out much for the first 6-8 weeks as we get adjusted and settled into our routine at home to our risk of exposure is greatly diminished. It's also not the "season" for cold and flu when LO is born. Getting the TDAP vaccine does not guarantee you protection from the virus, just like the flu vaccine. As you can see for me there are many factors that weighed in on this decision and I feel there shouldn't be judgment on "I'm doing what is best for my baby," because as you can see there are a lot of variables that factor into this. To each his/her own. I say do your own research, write down your concerns and questions and talk them over with your SO and doc and go from there. Don't let a bunch of internet strangers guilt you into a decision one way or another.
There isn't a "season" for pertussis, though, just saying.

I could understand "doing your own research" if there were actually two legitimate sides with equally valid research, but that isn't the case. On one hand you have the latest and best recommendations based on the best available scientific research, and on the other you have what? Your feelings about it? I'm really not being snarky, I'm serious, what sources for evidence did you find on the other side?

The other problem is, even if you "do your own research," you aren't really doing research, you're just reading articles or abstracts. If you aren't educated in interpreting research studies, it can lead you to wildly inaccurate conclusions. That's partly why we're even having this debate - someone reads something, doesn't understand it, and spreads inaccurate information.

I don't think the FDA and CDC always have the public's best interest at heart, but they aren't the (only) ones making this recommendation. I know none of this will change your mind, but man, I wish it would.

Do you do or interperate vaccine research as a profession? Or are you gathering information from various sources, articles, doctors, and the CDC? Just curious as to how you came to you conclusion. I've read both sides (yes there are two sides) to vaccinating while pregnant and because the recommendations only recently changed in Oct of 2012 for tdap, there isn't enough data to fully suggest that it is 100% safe.

If the TDAP vaccine is a class C drug it means that it hasn't yet been thoroughly tested on pregnant women to see the effects long term in a larger pool of women/infants. Until now that is. Guess what? By taking the vaccine you are now the research group they are testing it on without fully knowing what the effects will be. I choose not to be a part of that, but thank you for doing your part.

Like I mentioned before I have discussed a plan of action with my doc and I will be waiting to give my LO the vaccine until 2 mo like the vaccine schedule suggests, just like I did with my DS. My DH and I will likely receive a booster once LO is born, since my last one was 3 yrs ago to provide extra protection in those two months. To me the risk of an infant 0-2 mo of age dying from pertussis (being less than 20 infants out of 4,000,000) is far less than the unknown long term effects of vaccinating while pregnant. We obviously each have our own opinions on this, so let's just go our own way and not let our infants cross paths until mine is 2 mo and is vaccinated, deal?

KaLikeAWind · April 2015

Whelp, I just got poked in the arm today.

ElRuby · April 2015

lovethatcolosun said:

Frogger5 said:

lovethatcolosun said:
This is a tough one that I struggle with. Most vaccines are a class C drug, some are class B. So to think there are no possible side effects when you get a vaccine while pregnant is not correct. Many people just trust their doctors opinion without doing further research, which I can understand, because they are supposed to be the experts. I get it. There are other factors for me though and I don't fully trust everything the cdc nor FDA says. I take it with a grain of salt and realize they don't know EVERTHING and they could possibly be pursuaded by other factors. As you can see guidelines change all the time. I talked if over with my healthcare provider, weighed both the pros and cons and I'm pretty convinced that I will not be getting the vaccine while pregnant. I also don't get the flu vaccine while pregnant. I do however vaccinate myself and child (with the exception of the flu vaccine). For me I know I won't be going out much for the first 6-8 weeks as we get adjusted and settled into our routine at home to our risk of exposure is greatly diminished. It's also not the "season" for cold and flu when LO is born. Getting the TDAP vaccine does not guarantee you protection from the virus, just like the flu vaccine. As you can see for me there are many factors that weighed in on this decision and I feel there shouldn't be judgment on "I'm doing what is best for my baby," because as you can see there are a lot of variables that factor into this. To each his/her own. I say do your own research, write down your concerns and questions and talk them over with your SO and doc and go from there. Don't let a bunch of internet strangers guilt you into a decision one way or another.
There isn't a "season" for pertussis, though, just saying.

I could understand "doing your own research" if there were actually two legitimate sides with equally valid research, but that isn't the case. On one hand you have the latest and best recommendations based on the best available scientific research, and on the other you have what? Your feelings about it? I'm really not being snarky, I'm serious, what sources for evidence did you find on the other side?

The other problem is, even if you "do your own research," you aren't really doing research, you're just reading articles or abstracts. If you aren't educated in interpreting research studies, it can lead you to wildly inaccurate conclusions. That's partly why we're even having this debate - someone reads something, doesn't understand it, and spreads inaccurate information.

I don't think the FDA and CDC always have the public's best interest at heart, but they aren't the (only) ones making this recommendation. I know none of this will change your mind, but man, I wish it would.
Do you do or interperate vaccine research as a profession? Or are you gathering information from various sources, articles, doctors, and the CDC? Just curious as to how you came to you conclusion. I've read both sides (yes there are two sides) to vaccinating while pregnant and because the recommendations only recently changed in Oct of 2012 for tdap, there isn't enough data to fully suggest that it is 100% safe.

If the TDAP vaccine is a class C drug it means that it hasn't yet been thoroughly tested on pregnant women to see the effects long term in a larger pool of women/infants. Until now that is. Guess what? By taking the vaccine you are now the research group they are testing it on without fully knowing what the effects will be. I choose not to be a part of that, but thank you for doing your part.

Like I mentioned before I have discussed a plan of action with my doc and I will be waiting to give my LO the vaccine until 2 mo like the vaccine schedule suggests, just like I did with my DS. My DH and I will likely receive a booster once LO is born, since my last one was 3 yrs ago to provide extra protection in those two months. To me the risk of an infant 0-2 mo of age dying from pertussis (being less than 20 infants out of 4,000,000) is far less than the unknown long term effects of vaccinating while pregnant. We obviously each have our own opinions on this, so let's just go our own way and not let our infants cross paths until mine is 2 mo and is vaccinated, deal?

You put your perspective very well and it should be respected...

To add to this (even though it angers certain people for some reason)... There have been huge missteps by the medical community... Look up thalidomide for example or how about the CDC making a pretty black and white statement that women should not drink any alcohol while pregnant but so many people on here freaked out that I had that same opinion... You can't use CDC statements to support one cause and refute another (well you can but it just makes my eyes roll). Truth is I don't know what the best method is but I do know that I am not comfortable being used as a test subject and I am much more comfortable making a plan with my doctors than with blanket statements made by CDC or any other organization.

Also, this is not directed at people taking the vaccine as I have said countless times I have no concrete proof or reason that one method is better than another.

laurendutch · April 2015

mellymar said:
Whelp, I just got poked in the arm today.

Twinsies!!! Haha...we can have sore miserable arms together!

Frogger5 · April 2015

lovethatcolosun said:

Frogger5 said:

lovethatcolosun said:
This is a tough one that I struggle with. Most vaccines are a class C drug, some are class B. So to think there are no possible side effects when you get a vaccine while pregnant is not correct. Many people just trust their doctors opinion without doing further research, which I can understand, because they are supposed to be the experts. I get it. There are other factors for me though and I don't fully trust everything the cdc nor FDA says. I take it with a grain of salt and realize they don't know EVERTHING and they could possibly be pursuaded by other factors. As you can see guidelines change all the time. I talked if over with my healthcare provider, weighed both the pros and cons and I'm pretty convinced that I will not be getting the vaccine while pregnant. I also don't get the flu vaccine while pregnant. I do however vaccinate myself and child (with the exception of the flu vaccine). For me I know I won't be going out much for the first 6-8 weeks as we get adjusted and settled into our routine at home to our risk of exposure is greatly diminished. It's also not the "season" for cold and flu when LO is born. Getting the TDAP vaccine does not guarantee you protection from the virus, just like the flu vaccine. As you can see for me there are many factors that weighed in on this decision and I feel there shouldn't be judgment on "I'm doing what is best for my baby," because as you can see there are a lot of variables that factor into this. To each his/her own. I say do your own research, write down your concerns and questions and talk them over with your SO and doc and go from there. Don't let a bunch of internet strangers guilt you into a decision one way or another.
There isn't a "season" for pertussis, though, just saying.

I could understand "doing your own research" if there were actually two legitimate sides with equally valid research, but that isn't the case. On one hand you have the latest and best recommendations based on the best available scientific research, and on the other you have what? Your feelings about it? I'm really not being snarky, I'm serious, what sources for evidence did you find on the other side?

The other problem is, even if you "do your own research," you aren't really doing research, you're just reading articles or abstracts. If you aren't educated in interpreting research studies, it can lead you to wildly inaccurate conclusions. That's partly why we're even having this debate - someone reads something, doesn't understand it, and spreads inaccurate information.

I don't think the FDA and CDC always have the public's best interest at heart, but they aren't the (only) ones making this recommendation. I know none of this will change your mind, but man, I wish it would.
Do you do or interperate vaccine research as a profession? Or are you gathering information from various sources, articles, doctors, and the CDC? Just curious as to how you came to you conclusion. I've read both sides (yes there are two sides) to vaccinating while pregnant and because the recommendations only recently changed in Oct of 2012 for tdap, there isn't enough data to fully suggest that it is 100% safe.

If the TDAP vaccine is a class C drug it means that it hasn't yet been thoroughly tested on pregnant women to see the effects long term in a larger pool of women/infants. Until now that is. Guess what? By taking the vaccine you are now the research group they are testing it on without fully knowing what the effects will be. I choose not to be a part of that, but thank you for doing your part.

Like I mentioned before I have discussed a plan of action with my doc and I will be waiting to give my LO the vaccine until 2 mo like the vaccine schedule suggests, just like I did with my DS. My DH and I will likely receive a booster once LO is born, since my last one was 3 yrs ago to provide extra protection in those two months. To me the risk of an infant 0-2 mo of age dying from pertussis (being less than 20 infants out of 4,000,000) is far less than the unknown long term effects of vaccinating while pregnant. We obviously each have our own opinions on this, so let's just go our own way and not let our infants cross paths until mine is 2 mo and is vaccinated, deal?

No, I don't do research as my profession, but I do have a master's degree in a health field, and interpreting data and critically reading research studies was part of the program. There are TONS of poorly designed research studies out there that make sweeping claims based off of that data, and if you don't know what you're looking at, how are you supposed to know the difference? It's not like "you're stupid if you don't know how to read these studies," but more like "you're being foolhardy if you think you can interpret this stuff better than the CDC (or ACOG or whatever)." As I said, I know you aren't going to change your mind, but I still think my decision is more rational based on the facts that we have at our disposal. I don't see the benefit of saying . . . well, they might not know everything. Of course they don't know everything! There are so many toxins in our environment, so many unnecessary medical procedures performed and medications taken during pregnancy . . . choosing to get all concerned about this one particular vaccine (that has a proven benefit) seems silly to me. They didn't just wake up one morning, change the recommendations and say - "welp, we'll see what happens in 20 years"! They made the decision based on prior knowledge and research.

KaLikeAWind · April 2015

laurendutch said:

mellymar said:
Whelp, I just got poked in the arm today.
Twinsies!!! Haha...we can have sore miserable arms together!

I know that after I got my flu shot I worked the arm that night - using a resistance band looped around my leg - bicep curls and whatever those are called when you keep your arm straight and lift it away from the thigh to hold out straight from the shoulder and back down. It was sore the next day, but not so bad, and the next night I massaged it a lot using pressure when I could, and by the next day I couldn't feel a thing. I am going to do this again this time and hopefully I'll avoid the chronic sore arm everyone else has complained about even 3-4 days after their pokes.
Was WAY tired this afternoon tho after getting the shot this morning. You? (Not like we ladies need an excuse to be tired, lol)

7425cait · April 2015

My doctor specializes in natural birthing, is a huge proponent of breastfeeding, and generally goes for more holistic treatments. She recommends the tdap for me. I will be getting it a little later (34-36 weeks) because she says it will last longer/be more effective for my baby then.

bobjo31 · April 2015

I just got mine last week.

this is probably oversimplified, but basically, if you get it in the third trimester your body will produce antibodies that will help protect baby after birth. If you choose to wait until after delivery you will be protected but baby will not be. Hope this helps

ElRuby · April 2015

Obviously vaccines are like politics, religion, and cats so I wanted to add a little lightness and humor to the thread

CurlyMom78 · April 2015

I'm getting mine next week and I got the flu shot too. DH got his a few months ago and my parents will get theirs soon too!

MrsWiggleWaggle · April 2015

I'm doing it. I don't believe I am a test subject; guidelines get changed based on new research and knowledge not in order to acquire new research and knowledge. And also I have participated in actual research so I know merely getting vaccinated doesn't mean data will be collected so it's kind of a silly suggestion. Of course I have also drank large coffees, had a glass of wine or two, and eaten a turkey sandwich so I'm sure many moms on here would be horrified by me.

Mcullz4 · April 2015

Thanks for all the input! (I know this has been discussed several times so I appreciate not getting yelled at for the repeat post! Haha)
I read all of the comments and can agree with each of you to some degree. Just trying to do my research and make the best decision. I've been asking friends and also trying to decipher true medical research/articles from Internet babble.
I really appreciate everyone chiming in!

lindsladle15 · April 2015

I agree with @Mcullz4. This has all been very interesting! I'm not sure yet which way I sway...going to have a talk with my doctor and hubby.
But speaking of being test subjects reminded me of a friend of ours who will not go on a cruise because he believes they are government test sites for diseases and such, etc. where everyone is forced to be together. It makes me wonder every time he talks about it and backs it up with info! Buuuuut, then again, even if it were true to whatever degree, I'd still go on a cruise, lol! Loved the two I've been on!

Want a personalized experience?

TDAP??

Re: TDAP??

Choose Another Board

Search Boards