Vaccination during pregnancy
Immunizations are an important
part of routine health care and help prevent a number of diseases such as the
flu, hepatitis, and chickenpox. When you are pregnant, these vaccines protect
you and your baby. Several vaccines are recommended during pregnancy to protect
both the mother-to-be and her baby.
However, it is important to
keep in mind that some vaccines must be given before pregnancy, while others
are safe during pregnancy. Before getting vaccinated while pregnant, you need
to know which vaccines you already have.
To do this, you can use your
school vaccination certificates, as well as vaccination certificates from any
clinics, pharmacies or doctors where you may have been vaccinated.
Also, if you are planning a
trip abroad, it is important to check with your doctor to find out which
vaccinations, if any, you may need for that country and which are safe to do
while pregnant.
Vaccination before pregnancy
- Measles, mumps and rubella: If you have not received this vaccine, it is important to
do so because rubella in particular can cause serious and irreversible
complications to the baby.
It
is recommended that you get the rubella vaccine at least one month before
trying to get pregnant.
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis: The tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccine protects
against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (whooping cough). This vaccine
can be used both before pregnancy and after the 20th week of pregnancy.
- Chickenpox: Also known as varicella, chickenpox is a common childhood
illness that, if contracted during pregnancy, can lead to birth defects or
complications during pregnancy. As with the measles, mumps, and rubella
vaccine, this vaccine must be given at least one month before any attempt to
conceive.
Vaccination during pregnancy
- Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that is
transmitted through contact with contaminated blood or body fluids. Mothers
diagnosed with hepatitis B are at high risk of transmitting the virus to their
children. This vaccination will protect the child from infection.
- Flu:
The flu vaccine can be safely given at any time during pregnancy and is highly
recommended during flu season (October-May). It is important to receive the
inactive form of the virus (by injection) rather than the live form (nasal
spray).
Vaccines and autism
A few years ago, a study was
published claiming that measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines cause autism in
children. Since then, numerous private and public health agencies have tried to
recreate this study, but to no avail.
There is a consensus in the
medical community that there is no link between vaccination and autism.
It has been concluded that
immunizing your child with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is not only
safe, but highly recommended by most healthcare professionals. Failure to do so
may have serious consequences for your child's health.
Many women still fear the
connection between vaccines and autism, but they also want to protect their
children. They struggle to get vaccinated, avoid vaccination, or delay
vaccination until a later date.
It is important that you read the research and know what is best for you and your child. The more information you have, the better you will feel about your decision.