Research is key to healthy pregnancy
There can be a laundry list of foods to stay away from and lifestyle changes to make when pregnant.
Being pregnant comes with a number of precautions to take in order to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
There can be many concerns when it comes to making the best medical decisions for mom and baby, and among those is the topic of vaccines.
The idea of getting vaccinated while expecting can bring up many valid questions and concerns, all relating to the potential effects they make have on the well being of both the mother and child.
The most important factor in understanding the dos and don’ts of vaccinations and pregnancy is to have the most current and evidence-based facts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a range of resources and tools to help in making the most informed decision. Listed on an immunization and pregnancy chart are designated vaccines that should be administered either before, during or after pregnancy.
While vaccinations are meant to protect and keep families healthy, there are some vaccines that may be harmful to receive while pregnant. Live vaccines, which are vaccines that use the weakened form of the virus, should be given before pregnancy. These types of vaccines can include the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, according to the National Institute of Health. The CDC suggests these vaccines be given at least a month or more before becoming pregnant. The dangers of receiving the rubella vaccine during pregnancy, according to the CDC, is that it can cause unborn babies to have serious birth defects with life-long consequences. It can also cause the unborn child to die before birth. It is suggested to have a pre-pregnancy blood test to determine if you are already immune, as many women were already vaccinated as children. However, it is necessary to confirm with a doctor.
Equally important to know are the vaccines that are safe to receive during pregnancy. A common immunization that is safe to receive is the flu vaccine.
The CDC states not only is it safe, it is important – pregnant women who contract the flu are at serious risk for complications which may lead to hospitalization. The Tdap vaccine, which protects against whooping cough, also known as Pertussis, should be administered during every pregnancy. It is suggested to be given at 27-36 weeks in order to protect both mom and baby. Whooping cough is caused by bacteria that is easily spread and can have serious risks for newborn babies.
The CDC states it is one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Other vaccines that may be safe to receive during pregnancy include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A and the meningococcal vaccine. Most Vaccines for travel to prevent against diseases that are rare in the United States may also be safe, should the mother be traveling internationally; however they should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Being prepared for a prenatal appointment can include having a record of immunizations. The CDC recommends having access to the information documenting past vaccinations, or to contact previous healthcare providers to receive it in order to determine if any vaccines are still needed. The CDC offers an Adolescent and Adult Vaccine Quiz to determine what vaccines might be needed. The questionnaire is for anyone over the age of 11 and includes questions about lifestyle factors. The results of the quiz will list vaccines based on answers and may include vaccines that have already been administered. it is suggested to bring the list to your doctor for further discussion.
After pregnancy, most vaccines are safe to receive even during breastfeeding. It is recommended by the CDC and Vaccines.gov for a woman who is not immune to the measles, mumps, rubella and/or chickenpox to be vaccinated before leaving the hospital. An unborn baby is protected against diseases during pregnancy, but it is only temporary and only against diseases the mother is immune to and has been vaccinated for. It’s important to have an accurate and comprehensive understanding of vaccinations and their effects in relation to pregnancy. In addition to having adequate documentation of previous immunizations, be informed and open with your healthcare provider when planning for a family. For more information on vaccinations and pregnancy, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
– Katie Ho
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The CDC also states vaccines to be received are based on the lifestyle, age and any medical conditions someone may have. it is highly suggested that when planning for a family, the soon-to-be mother should be up-to-date on all routine, adult immunizations.
