Vaccinations while pregnant

msashley2010-2 · January 2017

I know vaccines can be a touchy subject for some, but I am merely looking for thoughts/opinions on receiving vaccinations during pregnancy. When I was pregnant with DD, no vaccinations were recommended to me so I didn't get any.

When I went in for my first appointment it was recommended that I receive a flu shot as well as a TDAP later on in pregnancy to protect the baby after they are born before they are able to get the vaccine themselves.

I did go go ahead and get the flu shot. Did any of you get the TDAP while pregnant with any of your previous children or plan on getting one during this pregnancy?

Of course I plan on doing my own research as well as I have some time to think about it.

Thanks in advance!!

lap018 · January 2017

I got the tdap shot for my first born so he would have some immunization against whooping cough before birth especially since my in laws refused to get the tdap to help protect him and even went so far as to call it a "lethal injection" (she gets all her medical info from Jenny McCarthy)

Becky012016 · January 2017

I got the tDap as well while pregnant. Whooping cough has become more prevalent thanks to antivaxxers and it can be lethal to a child. It's a no brainer for me; get the vaccine and protect the child from a completely preventable disease.

Texafornian · January 2017

I got both the tdap and flu shots while pregnant...begrudgingly on the latter one because I (maybe UO) don't like to get them normally and I don't get it for my daughter now (she's almost 2.5). She's had it in the past but my FIL works with stroke patients and the like and has seen so many cases where his patients have gotten Guillaine Barre Syndrome from the flue shot (paralysis...some times permanent). He's given me a pretty strong argument about how the negative outweighs the positive on that one...even though the negative is so rare!). Sooooo...to respect my husband's wishes we stay away from flu but do all of the other recommended vax for our kiddo. She's up to date aside of that one...
I'll do the tdap again this go around for sure and will most likely do flu begrudgingly again as well because of the time of year we give birth...need to talk to my doctor about it.

I don't think I was even given the option of choice last time (diff doc)...was almost like you MUST do this...

KMKaiser07 · January 2017

With both my pregnancies I received the flu and tdap vaccines as well as made sure everyone who was going to be in close contact with baby got them too.

Emeraldcity · January 2017

I'm a pro-vaxer. I get everything they recommend. Everyone in the household will get the same.

Carebella · January 2017

Got both last time and will get both this time too.

cmar1006 · January 2017

Agree with everyone else before me. I got both with first pregnancy and will get them again. Especially with the time of year our LO's are due they are going to be so vulnerable without some sort of protection.

BostonBaby1 · January 2017

Absolutely I got them! It's extremely important to get the TDap later on to give the baby some passive immunity. As PP posted, whooping cough can be very deadly to a baby. I also have anyone coming in close contact know that the TDap booster is a must. Typically the booster is effective for a number of years but the time between boosters drops significantly for those in close contact with an infant.

mamagabby-2 · January 2017

I got the TDap and flu while pregnant, though I usually don't get the flu shot unless I (or my daughter) already have an appointment for something else and it's offered. The TDap is (in my opinion) necessary to protect your LO from Whooping Cough in the early months...especially since we'll be in prime sickness season.

ashley2824 · January 2017

When I was PG with my first I think they recommend you get them right after birth, or at least one of them and the other while PG. I can't really remember. I did whatever was recommended. I get a flu shot every year and I remember the woman telling me they recommend tdap for pregnant moms for every pregnancy. My edd is aug 31, so I don't know if it'll be too early for the flu (I feel like it usually comes out in sept) but I'll definitely be getting the tdap.

JustBored10 · January 2017

NO NO NO! I am an Anti-Vaxxer especially during pregnancy. All you have to do is look up or ask for the ingredients list in whatever vaccine you are receiving. It is horrendous.

lap018 · January 2017

JustBored10 said:

NO NO NO! I am an Anti-Vaxxer especially during pregnancy. All you have to do is look up or ask for the ingredients list in whatever vaccine you are receiving. It is horrendous.

What exact ingredient are you referring that is "horrendous"? Please don't say formaldehyde just please don't

sugarrush · January 2017

I go with what medical professionals tell me to. I am not an MD and I don't believe in Dr. Google, there's so much phony baloney. ETA, with that said I got Flu Shot and TdAP last time.

DPandMB · January 2017

Agree with @SugarRush. I would much rather trust an MD over random internet searches. Although the searches can provide you with some background if you read between the lines. I got the Flu Shot while pregnant, but I already had the TDAP so I didn't need it again. I did however make everyone around me get TDAPs. (DH, In-Laws, my parents)

Becky012016 · January 2017

JustBored10 said:

NO NO NO! I am an Anti-Vaxxer especially during pregnancy. All you have to do is look up or ask for the ingredients list in whatever vaccine you are receiving. It is horrendous.

Man I sure hope you aren't taking vitamins, drinking soda, eating anything out of a package, eating white flour, or filling up your own gas tank. Have you read the ingredients list, it's horrendous!! Eye-roll. Unless you're immunecompromised or allergic to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, you're willing choosing potential death over a healthy kid.

Emeraldcity · January 2017

I'm having quote issues

Emeraldcity · January 2017

JustBored10 said:

NO NO NO! I am an Anti-Vaxxer especially during pregnancy. All you have to do is look up or ask for the ingredients list in whatever vaccine you are receiving. It is horrendous.

You need to get with the times on your medical information. This is just not accurate.

hjphillips · January 2017

I got the TDAP and flu shot last pregnancy. Everyone in our house has had the flu shot for this season, and will have updated TDAP boosters this time as well. DD is 17 months, so her TDAP boosters are very recent, but H and I are for sure going to have to have the booster.

RedBreast35 · January 2017

And to add to what @Becky012016 said, it's not just you and your child's potential death. These diseases are contagious.
*now searching the "where do you live?" post to see how close I live to JustBored10*

BostonBaby1 · January 2017

DPandMB · January 2017

The great debate. I totally needed something to get this boring day going.

Image: https://i.giphy.com/aLU0jzGwypUbu.gif

sparksfly · January 2017

With my first PG, I got the tdap, as well as my husband. I asked out close families to look into it as well and my sis-in-law said she'd had it recently and it's "good for" a couple years. Don't remember how many, but I will check with my dr. this time around to see if I'll need it again since my PGs are close together.

I also got the flu vax last time - which is not something I usually get. They also recommended getting another MMR after delivery - some of my bloodwork had shown that I was no longer immune to rubella. But that's not one you would get during pregnancy.

ashley2824 · January 2017

@hjphillips your H won't need to get a booster so soon if it's only been less than 2 years. I think It's good for at least 5 years

msashley2010-2 · January 2017

Thank you everyone for your very helpful input! My doctor did give me a TON of flyers with a lot of information about everything they offer during pregnancy. I am not an anti-vaxxer but I was definitely not very educated during my first pregnancy when I was 18 so at that time I just went with whatever my obgyn told me... which wasn't much. Now at 27 everything is a bit different for me going through this process so I want to make sure I make the best decisions.

I talked with SO about it and we will both be getting the TDAP vaccine prior to the baby being born. There are tons of anti-vaxxers in my area and I want to make sure the baby is protected. As an adult, pertussis may not be a huge deal but I really don't want to put the baby at risk for anything now that I've talked more with my doctor and family about it.

silliegirlie143 · January 2017

**lurking from June 2017**

@Msashley2010 To your point, whooping cough is no walk in the park for an adult but SCARY (life-threatening part aside) in young ones. If you want one more non-scientific reason to help solidify your choice to get tdap: check out the YouTube videos on babies with whooping cough.

Just don't watch them if you're feeling particularity emotional... they will crush you!

Kudos to you and your DH for making this choice to protect your baby!!

SuzieMay827 · January 2017

I'm a first time mom so I can't weigh in other than to say I will get every vaccine recommended.
I had whooping cough when I was 15. (I had the vaccine as a baby but in rare cases it can wear off over time). I have never been more miserable in my life and it lasted about 3 months. I would never wish it on anyone and DEFINITELY not a baby where it is life threatening.

msashley2010-2 · January 2017

Oh man @SuzieMay827 that sounds terrible!!

I have never experienced it and no one near me ever has and I don't want me or my baby to be the first!

delujm0 · January 2017

SuzieMay827 said:

I'm a first time mom so I can't weigh in other than to say I will get every vaccine recommended.
I had whooping cough when I was 15. (I had the vaccine as a baby but in rare cases it can wear off over time). I have never been more miserable in my life and it lasted about 3 months. I would never wish it on anyone and DEFINITELY not a baby where it is life threatening.

**lurking from June**

It's actually not rare for this to wear off over time...the TDAP vaccine requires boosters every 5-10 years to maintain effectiveness. That's why whooping cough is such a problem now - too many people don't get their necessary booster shots, especially when they hear that it typically presents in Adults as "just a bad cold." It does kill infants and young children though.

Also, just want to caution anyone against "doing their own research" unless they are a medical doctor or a person with access to actual recent medical research and testing. These things are NOT visible for free on the internet if you Google them; you typically need to subscribe to the relevant medical journals to get that access, and these subscriptions can be quite pricey. Most of what you read on the internet is intentionally skewed to whatever viewpoint the author already has, and will only mention the research relevant to back up that point. Medical journals are unbiased and based on facts and results of controlled testing. The reason I trust my doctor and the CDC more than Google is that they have access to this information and I do not.

SuzieMay827 · January 2017

@delujm0 Thanks for correcting me! I didn't realize and am not sure how/why I would have missed a booster... But either way, good to know moving forward and I truly appreciate you passing on good/accurate info!!

lap018 · January 2017

@delujm0

although to add to your point no one needs a medical journal to know that the ingredients in vaccines are commonly found in just about all textiles, food, drink, etc. aluminum alone can be found in infant formula? Formaldehyde is literally in everything sheets, furniture, cars, nail hardener, carpet, drywall, curtains, everything!!! our bodies even naturally produce it for furts sake!!! Arrrgshdhorjenejrneowksnwlshdiens !!!!!

kelseyrayay · January 2017

I have had it all with my last pregnancy. If they offer it I'm gonna take it. I am big time pro vaccine! The flu shot is my best friend.

awildrose · January 2017

Do what you're comfortable with. However, DTaP does not prevent someone from catching pertussis. They can still get it and spread without developing symptoms any worse than the cold or flu. So insisting on vaccinating everyone around you creates a false sense of security. Feel sick? Stay away from baby. Wash your hands. Etc. etc.

Secondly, it's illogical to say someone is diseased and spreading diseases just because they haven't been vaccinated. We aren't born with these illnesses and get them vaccinated out of us. Vaccinated kids are no more carriers of these illnesses than the vaccinated. More likely to catch them? Yes. But not walking around sprinkling mumps and what-have-you on everyone.

Again, do what you're comfortable with. Your health decision for you and your children and simply for you and your children.

lmc929 · January 2017

awildrose said:

Again, do what you're comfortable with. Your health decision for you and your children and simply for you and your children.

This is not true - there is something called herd immunity. You vaccinating yourself and your children can help prevent unnecessary illness (or death) of someone who is unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons or because they are too young to get the vaccine themselves.

There is a reason we no longer see polio and its not because a few people got the vaccine - it is because the masses did.

ETA: Lurking from June 17

awildrose · January 2017

lmc929 said:

awildrose said:

Again, do what you're comfortable with. Your health decision for you and your children and simply for you and your children.

This is not true - there is something called herd immunity. You vaccinating yourself and your children can help prevent unnecessary illness (or death) of someone who is unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons or because they are too young to get the vaccine themselves.

There is a reason we no longer see polio and its not because a few people got the vaccine - it is because the masses did.

ETA: Lurking from June 17

I agree with you to an extent. And I don't wish to argue. However, a vast number of adults have not stayed up to date on boosters. The percentage needed for herd immunity is much higher than real, whole population vaccine rates. We are no where near true herd immunity standards.

I do believe all medical decisions are private, but I do get where you're coming from. Again, I'm not looking for a debate.

mrsmarygs · January 2017

I'm actually really surprised there aren't more crunchy mamas on here. As for me, I'm still sorta up in the air about the whole thing. I've heard a lot of good arguments on both sides of the issue.
I probably will end up getting my baby vaccinated, maybe just at a slower rate, but everything will get done before preschool. I know I'm probably in the minority here, sitting on the fence as it were. But I do think that vaccinations are more of a personal thing. If your kid is vaccinated, I don't understand why you would be cautious about letting him play with unvaccinated kids.

Becky012016 · January 2017

awildrose said:

lmc929 said:

awildrose said:

Again, do what you're comfortable with. Your health decision for you and your children and simply for you and your children.

This is not true - there is something called herd immunity. You vaccinating yourself and your children can help prevent unnecessary illness (or death) of someone who is unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons or because they are too young to get the vaccine themselves.

There is a reason we no longer see polio and its not because a few people got the vaccine - it is because the masses did.

ETA: Lurking from June 17

I agree with you to an extent. And I don't wish to argue. However, a vast number of adults have not stayed up to date on boosters. The percentage needed for herd immunity is much higher than real, whole population vaccine rates. We are no where near true herd immunity standards.

I do believe all medical decisions are private, but I do get where you're coming from. Again, I'm not looking for a debate.

Not sure of your source here, but where I live people who go to their doctor yearly are offered any and all boosters they need. All the insurance plans around here require annual physicals and give free vaccinations. Most everyone I know is up to date for all their vaccinations. Although I don't live in the land of pseudoscience and Dr. Jenny McCarthy.

Becky012016 · January 2017

mrsmgsee said:

I'm actually really surprised there aren't more crunchy mamas on here. As for me, I'm still sorta up in the air about the whole thing. I've heard a lot of good arguments on both sides of the issue.
I probably will end up getting my baby vaccinated, maybe just at a slower rate, but everything will get done before preschool. I know I'm probably in the minority here, sitting on the fence as it were. But I do think that vaccinations are more of a personal thing. If your kid is vaccinated, I don't understand why you would be cautious about letting him play with unvaccinated kids.

The problem for me is that it's an unnecessary risk. I won't knowingly put my child in harms way just because you (not you personally, but universal you) don't "like" vaccines. I wear my seatbelt every time I'm in a vehicle but that doesn't mean I'm going to be driving recklessly just because I'm covered by the belt.

Texafornian · January 2017

@Becky012016 I'm not sure that's prevalent everywhere. I can't recall the last time I was offered a vaccine of any type other than 1) in 2004 when I needed to show proof of up-to-date vac in order to go to grad school and 2) when I was pregnant. I don't get a physical every year but I don't know many people who do anymore other than a "well woman" checkup at the OB. Neither my current insurance plan here in Texas or my old Anthem plan in California required yearly physicals. Kudos to your plan for making you get evaluated though...
With that said...I'm only up to date because I had a kiddo a couple years ago. Well...I could probably use a tetanus shot but I don't think that's what you're referring to...

Texafornian · January 2017

@mrsmgsee my DD is up to date but I did everything spread out over the first two years. Instead of doing say four fax on one visit, I split it over two visits just so as not to inundate her little body all at once. Still met the recommended time line etc and she was good to go for school.
Main thing is...just make sure your kiddo is healthy the day you get the vaccines (so they aren't immunocompromised). That actually kickstarted my spacing because I had to postpone twice do to a fever.

lmc929 · January 2017

mrsmgsee said:

I'm actually really surprised there aren't more crunchy mamas on here. As for me, I'm still sorta up in the air about the whole thing. I've heard a lot of good arguments on both sides of the issue.
I probably will end up getting my baby vaccinated, maybe just at a slower rate, but everything will get done before preschool. I know I'm probably in the minority here, sitting on the fence as it were. But I do think that vaccinations are more of a personal thing. If your kid is vaccinated, I don't understand why you would be cautious about letting him play with unvaccinated kids.

Define crunchy mama - If crunchy mom means jeopardizing my kids safety, count me out. I work in sustainability, I feed my kids organic, make my own baby food, made sure there wasn't formaldehyde in my infants crib/mattress, I am all for baby wearing and unmediated childbirth - but still believe in protecting my children from unnecessary illness.

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