Many mothers have questions when they are expecting a baby, don't they? Things like "Is it okay if I eat this? Is that good?" Many people have questions about vaccines as well. "Will something happen to the baby if I get vaccinated during pregnancy? Which vaccines are safe? Which ones are not?" You may be wondering these things too. So today, let's talk about all this clearly, as if we were talking to a friend. Then you can get a better understanding of this.
When is it appropriate to get a vaccine during pregnancy?
It's usually best to get all the necessary vaccines when you're planning to have a baby, that is, before you get pregnant. However, there are times when you need to get vaccinated during pregnancy. Also, there are a few vaccines that pregnant mothers should definitely get .
Your doctor may decide to give you a vaccine during pregnancy for these reasons:
- If you are at high risk of contracting a certain disease or infection, and your doctor believes that the benefits of getting the vaccine outweigh the risks of not getting the vaccine and getting the disease.
- If an infection develops, it could pose a risk to you or your baby.
- It is clear that the chance of harming either you or your baby from the vaccine is very low.
Simply put, the doctor is always looking out for your and your baby's safety. Therefore, they consider all of this carefully before giving a vaccine.
What vaccines are recommended during pregnancy?
Okay, now let's see which vaccines you can safely get during pregnancy, and which are recommended.
Let's first look at the flu vaccine that everyone is talking about.
You've probably heard of the flu vaccine. It's actually recommended for everyone, not just pregnant women, to get it during flu season. But, it's even more important for a pregnant mother . Do you know why? Because if you get the flu during pregnancy, there are more complications that can come from it. Not just the flu, but sometimes it can lead to conditions like pneumonia. So this vaccine can reduce that risk.
The most important thing is that tests have shown that this vaccine does not harm the baby . So there is nothing to worry about. The other good thing is that when you get this vaccine, not only you but also your baby will be protected from the flu for the first few months. Because the immunity that develops in your body will also be passed on to the baby.
But here's a little something to remember. The flu vaccine comes in two forms. One is given as an injection. The other is given as a nasal spray. Pregnant mothers should only get the injection . Because it is made from killed flu viruses. Therefore, it will not affect the baby. The nasal spray contains weakened live viruses. It is not suitable for pregnant mothers.
The COVID-19 vaccine is also very important.
Now that you know about the COVID-19 pandemic, it's important for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to make sure they're getting their COVID-19 vaccine doses right. The vaccine is safe for pregnant women . But it's not safe for anyone to get COVID-19. Because a pregnant woman is at a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 than someone who isn't pregnant. So, it's best to talk to your doctor before deciding whether to get the vaccine.
Tdap vaccine to protect your little one from whooping cough
This is also a very important vaccine. The Tdap vaccine is a vaccine that protects against three diseases: Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis. It is recommended for every pregnancy, usually between 27 and 36 weeks . It doesn't matter if you've had this vaccine before or how long ago it was given, it should be given to every baby when they are born.
Do you know why they say that? There has been an increase in the number of cases of whooping cough recently. This can be very dangerous and even life-threatening if it occurs in newborn babies who have not yet received their vaccinations. So when a mother gets this vaccine, the baby gets immunity from the mother, and the baby is protected until the baby is born and starts his or her vaccinations.
Let's also learn about the newly introduced RSV vaccine.
There is another vaccine that is being recommended now. That is the RSV vaccine. RSV stands for `(Respiratory Syncytial Virus)`. This can severely affect the respiratory system when it is contracted by young babies. It is now recommended that mothers of babies born before or during the peak RSV season (usually in our country in the late and early months of the year with the rains) receive this RSV vaccine in the third trimester of pregnancy. This will protect the newborn from getting seriously ill with RSV.
If really necessary, other vaccines that are said to be safe during pregnancy
In addition to the vaccines we discussed earlier, there are several other types of vaccines that are considered safe to be given during pregnancy in some special cases, if there is a real need. For example, if you have to travel abroad suddenly, or if you have to be exposed to an area where a certain disease is common, your doctor may decide to give you one of these vaccines.
They are:
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine (this is given for a type of meningitis)
- Rabies vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine (for diseases like pneumonia)
- Polio vaccine (IPV, Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine) (type containing inactivated virus)
- Hib vaccine (Hib vaccine - Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine) (This also prevents serious infections in young children)
- Mpox vaccine
These are given only if truly necessary , on the advice of a doctor.
What vaccines are not recommended during pregnancy?
Okay, now let's talk about the types of vaccines that are not good to take during pregnancy and should be avoided . It is very important for you to be aware of these as well.
Why are vaccines containing live viruses not good?
Some vaccines are made using weakened, but still alive, viruses (live attenuated viruses). These vaccines are not given during pregnancy. This is because there is a small risk that even this weakened virus could cross the placenta and infect the baby in the womb. Doctors don't want to take that risk.
Vaccines containing live viruses such as these are not given during pregnancy:
- The MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine protects against all three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella.
- Chickenpox/Varicella vaccine.
- As we mentioned before, the nasal spray flu vaccine is a nasal spray.
If you think you may have been exposed to this type of disease, or if you find out you are pregnant shortly after receiving this type of vaccine, you should definitely tell your doctor .
Why is the HPV vaccine not suitable during pregnancy?
The `HPV (Human Papillomavirus)` vaccine is a vaccine that is given to prevent diseases such as cervical cancer. It is not a live virus vaccine. However, the safety of this vaccine during pregnancy has not yet been adequately tested, so the current recommendation is to not get the `HPV` vaccine during pregnancy. If you have started this series of vaccines, you can complete the rest after the baby is born.
What else do you need to know about this?
There are a few other things you should keep in mind when talking about vaccinations during pregnancy.
- The most important thing is that you should definitely talk to your doctor before getting any vaccinations during pregnancy. Your doctor will give you the best advice based on your health condition and the risks you face.
- If you find out you're pregnant within 4 weeks of taking a vaccine, tell your doctor about it too.
- If you are employed and your workplace requires you to get a certain vaccine, you should let them know that you are pregnant before agreeing to get the vaccine.
Remember, every decision should be made in the best interests of you and your baby. The best person to do that is your doctor.
So, let's put this conversation together and remember it?
Okay, we've talked a lot about vaccinations during pregnancy. Here are some of the main things you need to remember:
1. Some vaccines are essential and safe during pregnancy: The flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, Tdap vaccine, and the newly introduced RSV vaccine fall into this category. These protect both you and your baby.
2. Some vaccines can be safely given on an as-needed basis: Vaccines like hepatitis B can be given in special cases, on the recommendation of a doctor.
3. Some vaccines are not recommended during pregnancy: Vaccines that contain live viruses, such as the MMR and chickenpox vaccines, are especially not recommended. The HPV vaccine is also not recommended during this time.
4. Always talk to your doctor: Before getting any vaccine, talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.
If you are aware of these facts, you can make the best decisions to protect your health and that of your unborn child. I hope this information will help you to go through this journey without fear or doubt.
` Pregnancy, Vaccines, Vaccines in Pregnancy, Flu vaccine, Tdap vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, Pregnancy health
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