Vaccinations

Sbrown721 · June 2016

When? Where? What? Why? How? Who?

vampirina · June 2016

You should get tdap at 28 weeks. And then get I'm going to go get the flu shot when it's available in August/Sept. My doctor said because I'm pregnant, I'll be first in line for when it arrives

We're also making sure DH is up to date on tdap and will probably remind close family to get updated as well. DH will also be getting the flu shot in September or as soon as it's available for him.

ETA: The why? Because if you get your shots, some of the immunity has been shown to pass onto baby (YAY!) and whooping cough and the flu are definitely not fun for little babes.

Bibliobebe · June 2016

I was thinking of starting this thread, but wasn't sure if it was going to stir up anything because I know that vaccines are a hot topic lately.

I bypassed Tdap. Thankfully I wasn't pressured. The nurses at my clinic AND the nurse at the labor ward accepted my reasons and that was the end of the convo. We're following a delayed vaccination schedule after baby arrives and won't be utilizing the pertussis vaccine at all until much later. We have a family history of poor reactions to components in the Pertussis vaccinations, so we have to be wary. My siblings have all participated in delayed vaccination schedules (especially for pertussis vaccinations) so I feel comfortable following suit. My SIL is an ICU nurse and my sister is a Dr. of OT and teaches fetal and early childhood development courses at university, so I don't take their opinions on the matter lightly.

The pediatrician we're planning on using is also supportive of our decision to use a delayed schedule, which has relieved me of a lot of anxiety I felt regarding having to battle someone over our decision.

I am not Anti-Vac (though I understand the fear that drives many parents to choose to be), but we're going to be hyper cautious because of family medical history.

jhems776 · June 2016

I wish I could make everyone around me to get the tdap, I will only make H and will strongly suggest to my parents. Where: I think my grocery store, Safeway, has a 5% off the grocery trip when getting a shot so taking advantage of that. Going to get every vaccine the day my little man is old enough and will avoid people who don't vaccinate. Why: Do we really need to talk about this? Because I like child not severely sick and there isn't any credible studies showing a reason to not but ALL the studies showing how my kid will have a MUCH better chance of being health and not dying.

PSUBecky23 · June 2016

I and my baby will get all the vaccines as recommended by people who know more about medicine than I do.

vampirina · June 2016

I'm personally pretty anti anti-vaxxers and love vaccines, but I completely get why someone would exercise caution if you or your family have a history of adverse and allergic reactions of vaccine ingredients. Overall, the science doesn't support the much of the fear surrounding vaccines and I'd much rather take my chances in having an allergic reaction to a vaccine than getting the disease the vaccine is aiming to prevent.

My kids will get vaccinated on schedule, as soon as they are able, unless their pediatrician reveals a medical reason not to. And I'm pretty adamant that DH and I will stay up to date, too. I also selected a daycare center that requires all students to vaccinate on schedule and also asks their care providers to stay up to date as well.

And I'm with @jhems776 - I wish I could ensure that everyone had the tdap!

steminist · June 2016

We'll be getting all the vaccines as soon as the doctor recommends them. The only reason my LO would pass on any would be for allergies or other medical exemptions. I got the TDAP fairly recently (required for teachers here), but I'll get a booster around 36 weeks when I get the Strep-B just in case. DH and my parents will get theirs whenever they want, as long as it's before LO shows up! Luckily, that's just a trip to the closed drug store.

@bibliobebe I will admit when I initially saw your post in the FTM check-in about having questions about vaccines, I felt my blood pressure jump! I'm used to having to defend modern medicine to some of the people I know IRL, but your reasoning and your family history make prefect sense for wanting to be cautious and skip or delay certain ones. I think the conversation (so long as people stick to actual facts) is a really good one to have, because there are so many valid concerns about vaccination that get smothered by the hysterical ones.

RG1 · June 2016

Hey guys what's tdap?!

steminist · June 2016

@RG1 Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis. It's the last one that's the big deal for babies, since that's whooping cough, which can be fatal in some infant cases.

RG1 · June 2016

Ohh gotcha so we get it while pregnant?

steminist · June 2016

Yep, my OB said she does it 36 weeks, or so, but really you can get it whenever. They're good for a while, although they recommend pregnant women get it every time, unless it happened within a few months of the BFP.

vampirina · June 2016

@Jabreen - my doc does it at 28 weeks, which I also hear is pretty common. I had my latest booster in November, so my doc is double checking with the CDC to make sure I can still get it, but she doesn't think there is any risk to me or baby to get it done so close.

steminist · June 2016

@PoodleDoodleOoo True, that many do it earlier. Mine just likes to do both vaccines at the same time, I guess, rather than on top of the GD test. I think the only risk to the close doses is the tetanus part, though I could be wrong about that. I do know that my MIL got hers for my niece last October and I don't think she'll necessarily need a booster for my LO.

KimmySchmidt · June 2016

I got the tdap at my 24 week appointment while I was taking the glucose test. You have to get it for every pregnancy. DH and grandparents got theirs for the last baby, so they don't need it this time. (I think it's 5 years generally, unless you're the one that's pregnant.) They did it for my husband at the hospital when the baby was born. NBD.

RG1 · June 2016

Good to know. Thanks guys! My OB hasn't mentioned it yet so I'll bring it up next time

Bibliobebe · June 2016

@Jabreen I believe very strongly that vaccines can save lives. It's possible that my little brother would still be here if he'd had a meningitis vaccination as an adult. There are very dangerous diseases out there that have been practically eradicated because of vaccination and there's no denying that.

I do still have anxiety over our decision to delay the vaccination schedule, but a delayed schedule is not the same thing as anti-vaccing and the benefits of doing so in our particular situation outweigh the risks. Delayed schedules usually always include the most important vaccinations, specifically for the illnesses that are the most dangerous, though they're often given one shot at a time and not multiples together.

Having conversations about vaccines IS extremely important and you're right, unfortunately many of the valid concerns get lumped in with the hysterical ones. Thankfully every medical professional I've spoken with so far has been willing to have a straightforward conversation with me about it which makes it a lot easier. I'm very happy to have found a pediatrician who's willing to work with us regarding delayed schedules, but that might be because of my family medical history. Hard to say.

rock1cherry · June 2016

I got the tdap shot two years ago. Will I need to get it again? Just curious how that works.

Themaritimemama · June 2016

Any Canadian mamas weighing in? I've never gotten a tdap shot, and have never even had it mentioned. I will ask my doc about it, and get my husband and myself vaccinated. My 7yo and 5yo should be fine because they got boosters before they start school, and my 2yo is good from having hers in her initial shots?

Bibliobebe · June 2016

@rock1cherry I'm pretty sure since you had a Tdap so recently you won't need another one, I believe those particular vaccines should be good for up to 10 years as an adult.

RG1 · June 2016

@Themaritimemama I'm Canadian, so maybe thats why I'd never heard of it or even had it mentioned?

ruemcclanahan · June 2016

@rock1cherry I think you get it every pregnancy. It's so the baby is protected too

Kimmy717 · June 2016

The doc offered mine today, 28w apt, im off schedule w norm apt. I am 30 w tomorrow. I wasnt prepared to do it today, so i asked if i can do it next time. She said that was fine. I will be getting tdap july 7, ill be 32w

vampirina · June 2016

@rock1cherry. You're likely still protected under your last dose, but it is usually recommended that you get a booster in pregnancy because then some of the immunity can be passed along to your babe. I'd ask your doctor or midwife about it.

yellowrose314 · June 2016

@Themaritimemama I'm familiar with Tdap, but I work in health care, and when I was an LPN I did my vaccination course and all that jazz.
My midwife recommended both DH and I get our titers (the concentration of antibodies in your blood for certain diseases) checked before getting a booster, there's really no point if you already have enough coverage via the antibodies already in circulation. I got mine checked yesterday and they're fine (I had a Tdap booster 2 years ago after an injury, and the recommendations from the BCCDC is every 5 years now so I'm good), but DH definitely needs a booster. My mother and grandmother are both getting theirs, and my sister is already covered from work. DH and I will both be getting the flu shot when flu season starts; I have to get mine regardless because it's the policy of my regional health authority.
We plan on following the standard schedule, because we have no family history on either side to suggest we do otherwise.
Why are we vaccinating? Because I'd rather my child not die or become disabled due to a completely preventable disease and the benefits far outweigh the risks. (Also, DH was reading this over my shoulder and said it'll also be a great way to piss off his antivax mother... so there's that ...)

Thscary · June 2016

Will probably get my TDap at my next appointment and will aim to get the flu vax in late July or early August. Also making my parents and DH get a TDap and flu shot this year

rock1cherry · June 2016

Thanks ladies. I wasn't sure. I got mine when I applied for my green card. It was a condition of being granted permanent residency. I will ask my OB next week just to confirm.

Themaritimemama · June 2016

@yellowrose314 is it possible I was checked for the antibodies in my bloodwork? I was told I would have to have a booster for the German measles after the baby is born (not saying the two are related, but they checked my antibodies for it)

@RG1 interesting that you haven't had it mentioned either. This is my 4th baby, and I have never had any suggestion of it before. I will ask my doc on Tuesday.

ducks6 · June 2016

@RG1 I'm in Ontario and asked my midwife about it. She'd heard of it but it's not standard practice here. She couldn't write the prescription or get it done but said I could make an appointment to see my family doctor to get it done. I'm really worried about pertussis so I'm going to see him in a couple weeks.

AnnaS930 · June 2016

Also doing all vaccines for baby as soon as he can do them. Will get my tdap at my next appointment (they separate it from GD test at my office because it does tend to make your arm a bit sore). Husband is covered from our last pregnancy.

Luckily this time a my titers came back looking good at pregnancy start, last time they found I was no longer immune to measles... but got vaccinated the day after delivery

ruemcclanahan · June 2016

We are doing all the vaccines. I'm making all my brothers and my parents get the tdap. His sister is pregnant too so she will already get it and his parents bc she is living with them when the baby comes.

We found that I am no longer immune to the chicken pox but I'll just get the shot after I deliver.
FI is kinda against vaccination but there is no way we aren't. I'm letting him decide on circumcision and he picked the name lol

yellowrose314 · June 2016

Themaritimemama said:

@yellowrose314 is it possible I was checked for the antibodies in my bloodwork? I was told I would have to have a booster for the German measles after the baby is born (not saying the two are related, but they checked my antibodies for it)

@RG1 interesting that you haven't had it mentioned either. This is my 4th baby, and I have never had any suggestion of it before. I will ask my doc on Tuesday.

@Themaritimemama I don't know to be honest, it depends if it's standard practice or not. It's not for my midwife technically, I had to get them checked as part of the hiring process in my health authority, and my midwife suggested DH get his checked since I did as well. We just went to our local public health office and they gave me a requisition for the blood work. I would check with your practitioner for your results to see if all your titers were checked or if it was just for german measles, which would be part of the MMR vaccine.

Shiva14 · June 2016

@RG1 my OB never mentioned it last time - I had to ask for it. Now they don't even do the shots, I have to go to a health clinic to have them done this time.

It makes me a little sad that they make it so complicated because I think a lot of moms skip it because you need to put so much effort in to get it (I'll absolutely get it still).

DS has always been vaccinated up to date and so will this LO. Now I get to freak out for a year again every time we're in public that there may be a sick kid who's going to pass something LO has not yet been vaccinated for (they don't get the measles shot for a while for instance). Ugh. I'm super excited that DS will have had pretty much all the vaccines he needs once we complete his 24 month checkup.

geminigirl16 · June 2016

@Themaritimemama @yellowrose314 @RG1 I am also Canadian and asked my doctor about it several weeks ago and she didn't seem all that concerned about myself or anyone close to me getting the tdap. That being said, my fiancé and I both had ours in late 2015 along with the flu and twinrix vaccines before trip we did. I do intend to gently inquire with family to see how up to date the grandparents are on both sides and go from there.

AshleyB09042015 · June 2016

Im very torn. I am Canadian as well so its not something they typically do during pregnancy here and I couldn't get it even if they thought it was important. I know our babies will get all the standard vaccinations once they come. I received the Pertussis Vaccination when I was a baby and it almost killed me. Its the only thing I am allergic/reacted to ever. I was in the hospital for weeks on my death bed. I have an identical twin sister and she was fine with it. Im scared my daughter might have the same reaction as me. Im waiting to see what the Dr says.

Bibliobebe · June 2016

@AshleyB09042015 I believe allergies to the Pertussis vaccine are more common than with others, that would explain why I haven't yet talked to any medical professional who didn't understand my own concerns regarding it, so I'm hoping you'll have the same luck. I know that in the US you can opt out of the Pertussis vaccine and just get DT in the beginning and choose to have Pertussis later when the baby is older and their little systems are more developed. Of course I'm not sure about Canada's rules regarding it, especially daycare requirement wise.

I have a family history of poor reactions to the Pertussis vaccine as well, so I know it's nerve wracking. In the end you choose what you feel is best for your LO. Sending you lots of well wishes and happy thoughts.

fireflygirl12 · June 2016

I've gotten my tdap each pregnancy at 28w. DH got his when we had #1, so he's still covered and both kids are also covered. My parents spend a lot of time around our kids, so they also get tdap/flu as recommended.

Our kids follow the CDC recommended schedule. I understand why some people do delayed schedules, but if you're completely anti-vax, then I think you're an idiot.

fireflygirl12 · June 2016

This is my favorite PSA. Language warning if you're at work:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RfdZTZQvuCo

pinkspartan15 · June 2016

I believe I'm getting the tdap at my 28 week appt. (not really sure when my OB does them). DH's doctor already gave him his at his last appointment and we'll ask both our parents to get it as well. I don't think we'll have an issue with any of them getting it done, but if FIL gets a little sick from it (like DH did) I'll have to hear him crap about it. I don't care- he can deal with getting a little sick if it means lessening the chances for DS getting whooping cough!

DS will get her vaccines on the CDC recommended schedule as well. Both sides of our family haven't had a an issue with a bad reaction to them so there is no reason for us to delay.

yellowrose314 · June 2016

I find it interesting that so many people have had such strong reactions to the pertussis vaccine, and I'm wondering if it's because they changed it in the 90's? Prior to 1997 (I think), they used a whole cell vaccine, meaning they used all the parts of the bacteria, but they changed it to an acellular vaccine, which only uses certain aspects of the bacteria in order to reduce the amount of side effects. Problem with that is it doesn't last as long, which is why (my public health office at least) they recommend you get it every 5 years now instead of every 10 years.

Bibliobebe · June 2016

@yellowrose314 There's a strong possibility that's exactly why many people had previous reactions. Unfortunately our experience occurred in 2003, after the vaccine had already been altered.

I'm not sure if it's been altered again recently. I know there was a huge change in the past decade or so regarding the number of preservatives in some of the vaccines as well as mercury levels but I'm not savvy about which ones got the makeover.

Lotsofpickles73 · June 2016

Do you have any advice on finding doctors that accept delaying vaccines? I share these concerns, as well as massive anxiety about trying to find a pediatrician that will work with me.

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