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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Whooping Cough Vaccine

52 replies

lemonslemonslemons · 27/04/2016 10:47

Has anyone decided NOT to have the vaccine?

I had decided not to bother as I am already vaccinated and had heard bad things about getting ill after having the vaccine. Also, didn't have it with DD as they didn't offer it then and we had no problems.

That said, a friend has just caught whooping cough so I am now wondering if I might be changing my mind...

OP posts:

Report

Oysterbabe · 27/04/2016 10:54

Have it.
I had no side effects at all. Babies die of whooping cough. I've seen videos of babies with it coughing so hard they can't breathe, it's horrific. Why wouldn't you?

duckyisback · 27/04/2016 10:58

I chose not to have it during my second pregnancy.

It was a difficult decision to make and I changed my mind a few times but I decided not to after doing a lot of research on it, the information I came across all said it can very very slightly increase the risk of stillbirth. My first was stillborn and I wanted to do anything I could possibly do to avoid that happening again. I also had a really good consultant who gave me as much information and advice as possible to help me make an informed decision.

I am now pregnant again and will do some more reading on it and make a decision from that. The information out there changes all the time so it could have been updated since I looked into it.

kd83 · 27/04/2016 12:05

This is an interesting thread.

I am 35 weeks with my second and am debating if I need the vaccine or not. I am totally pro vaccination and will get it if advised, but as I only had it 2.5 years ago with my first pregnancy, am I still covered by that or do I need it again as a sort of booster?

I'm hoping my mw will be able to advise me tomorrow when I see her.

Salene · 27/04/2016 12:11

KD38 your past the the cut off for it now so no point really getting it

New guidelines released a couple of weeks ago are saying to get it at 16 weeks so your body build up immunity to it which in turn is past on to the baby

I think the latest they say it is affective is 30 weeks but double check that with your MW

Babies get it at 2 months but they are vulnerable in that first 8 weeks and as a PP said it kills babies so to me it's a no brainier to get the jab, even if it makes the mother feel ill, better to keep baby safe than worry about mum feeling unwell

It's a no brainier , get it done

Salene · 27/04/2016 12:11

You need to get a new vaccine each pregnacy

AveEldon · 27/04/2016 12:13

kd83 - the advice is to have it with every pregnancy to maximise the chance of the baby receiving antibodies from you

They are also vaccinating you against diphtheria, tetanus & polio at the same time

kd83 · 27/04/2016 12:13

Ah, I was lead to believe it was 28 to 38 weeks

Salene · 27/04/2016 12:26

Kd38. It's recently changed certainly in my area down to 16 weeks but your midwife can keep you right

RNBrie · 27/04/2016 12:30

Interesting pro-vaccine perspective from an anti-vaccine lady...

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-3597501

MollyCule · 27/04/2016 12:31

I had the vaccine earlier this week and the only side effect I've had is a sore arm. I hadn't heard about some of the risks other have mentioned, but found this study in the British Medical Journal that found no increased risk of stillbirth or other adverse outcomes: www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g4219

I agree with PP that it's a no-brainer.

TwllBach · 27/04/2016 12:34

I had it at 31 weeks, so 9 weeks ago, and had no side effects. I did it purely because I had whooping cough as a child and my DM said it was just horrific watching it and not being able to help.

LuckySantangelo1 · 27/04/2016 12:34

By getting the vaccination in pregnancy you pass immunity to your baby to protect them when they are newborn & before they have their own shot at 8 weeks. Get it done! My mum was anti vaccine & I ended up in hospital after getting whooping cough as a baby. It's a serious illness.

Peppaismyhomegirl · 27/04/2016 12:35

We have to have it here after 28 weeks, can't do before (uk) I'm having mins next week.

NerrSnerr · 27/04/2016 12:48

Whooping cough is really dangerous for newborns. That's why they offer it. Even if you're immune the vaccine during pregnancy offers immunity to your child.

lemonslemonslemons · 27/04/2016 12:50

KD28, It is up to 38 weeks. I called my Dr today as decided to book myself in. I'm 34 weeks.

OP posts:

CarrieLouise25 · 27/04/2016 12:56

I didn't have it. Wasn't offered it with 2 previous children and risks were still the same. They started offering due to increase in whooping cough one year.

What put me off was the jab wasn't a single. You have to have polio, diphtheria and tetanus with it too.

I was low risk in terms of contact with people. Felt ok to decline. Little one is doing great. Just had his first vaccinations.

I made the right decision for my situation. You have to weigh up risk vs benefits plus instinct. Just my opinion.

Good luck with birth x

riddles26 · 27/04/2016 13:00

The whooping cough vaccine is for your baby's protection more than yours. Your baby will not get their first vaccine until 8 weeks. If you have the vaccine during later stages of pregnancy, antibodies will pass across to your baby to protect them in their first few weeks of life. I wouldn't hesitate to have the vaccine, no matter what the side effects to me are.

They likely did not offer it when you had previous children as it was not circulating so widely in the community. I have seen several cases of whooping cough in both adults and children over the past 3 months so would strongly recommend it.

Heirhelp · 27/04/2016 13:03

The whooping cough vaccine has been recently introduced to pregnant women as a number of babies have died as a result of contracting whooping cough before they were 8 weeks and therefore had not had their injections.

kd83 · 27/04/2016 13:10

Thanks lemonslemonslemons, thats good to know. I'm 35 weeks on Friday and see my mw tomorrow so will get it booked in asap.

Peppaismyhomegirl · 27/04/2016 13:18

Those who had it did you have any side affects as I'm having mine the morning before we go away on a family holiday (uk still, but don't want to feel any more rubbish than I do!)

albertcampionscat · 27/04/2016 13:21

Had it twice. Had no side effects. A little girl I now (who is now fine) caught whooping cough when she was six weeks old. There is no way in hell I want to go through what her parents went through.

Bellasima20 · 27/04/2016 13:30

Also had it twice, zero side affects. Can completely understand "duckys" reasons but in other cases cant understand why you wouldn't just get it done for your babies sake. Even if you caught the flu afterwards but it gave your baby protection, is it really that big a deal?

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Mslg · 27/04/2016 13:50

I had mine yesterday at 25+3. Feel perfectly fine today albeit with a slightly sore arm. Nurse told me women get it in every pregnancy regardless of the fact you've had it before. A no-brainer for me as well.

KeyboardMum · 27/04/2016 14:02

I'm 28 weeks and my WC Vaccination is booked in tomorrow morning.

I hate needles, I hate vaccinations and I felt shit after having the flu jab. But despite this, I think it's a good idea to take everything you can to help give your baby the best start.

If you can avoid your baby catching something that could possibly do quite a bit of damage, why wouldn't you take it? Especially since it's treated with antibiotics.

kiki22 · 27/04/2016 14:12

I had it last week sore arm but no other side effects.

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