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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Does the whooping cough vaccine hurt loads? A bit scared.

28 replies

Mandraki · 21/05/2017 19:53

I'm 20 weeks pregnant so have got to have my whooping cough vaccine soon, going to book it at the GP tomorrow to just get it over with. Am not great with needles, though I have managed to have blood tests recently and although I was scared I have womaned up to them and they weren't so bad. Can't remember the last time I had an actual injection though. If you've had it, how bad was it? I would like to be prepared. Not worried about it hurting after it's done, it's more the actual moment of injection I am scared of.

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 21/05/2017 19:54

I can't remember it hurting anymore than any other injection.

bastedyoungturkey · 21/05/2017 19:55

I had the whooping cough in one arm and the flu jab in the other. The jabs didn't hurt per se but my arms were a bit tender and achy. Nothing too terrible though.

WellErrr · 21/05/2017 19:56

It doesn't hurt.

Relax, don't look. If you dig your nail very slightly into your arm - it's not even as bad as that.

Nothing to worry about. Honestly.

Hmmalittlefishy · 21/05/2017 19:57

Try to relax your arm as much as possible and look away and take deep breaths or ask the nurse to distract you by talking. It did hurt a but but be brave and have chocolate ready for after
Well done for having it done despite your fear

yongnian · 21/05/2017 20:03

I haven't had the vaccine as an adult...but am willing to bet it is nowhere near as bad as having whooping cough, which I had last Christmas. I did have the vaccine as a child, but my immunity had faded as there was apparently a tranche of shoddy vaccines during my era of the 70's. It was terrifying and I would have been doubly terrified had I been pregnant at the time. Be brave X

Original poster
Mandraki · 21/05/2017 20:07

I'll be brave, it is not about me now it's about our baby so I'm doing it for her! Glad to hear it doesn't hurt too much. Also just realised I posted this in childbirth rather than pregnancy, sorry!

OP posts:
squirre1 · 21/05/2017 20:11

I was scared too! I was talking to the nurse about it and didn't even realise she'd done it! I honestly felt nothing.

PoochiePie · 21/05/2017 20:11

Mine was fine too.
The nurse did it really slowly actually, and I did moan about it because it was taking ages, but in hindsight compared to my hep B booster, MMR booster (I wasn't totally covered by measles apparently) it was fine.
TB was way worse.

Thissameearth · 21/05/2017 20:14

Yup you get it after 16 weeks in Scotland. I don't like needles either and found it less sore and quicker than blood taking. My arm was really sore for couple of days afterwards though so get it in your left arm if right handed and vice versa

spacecowboy99 · 21/05/2017 20:19

The actual injection wasn't that sore just a quick scratch sort of pain and over with in a split second. However, the injection site was much sorer than after a flu jab. I would recommend getting it in your right arm as you are supposed to sleep on your left in late pregnancy and you won't be able to sleep on the arm you get it in for a couple of days.

icy121 · 21/05/2017 21:38

You get a dull ache in the days afterwards. This is bc whooping cough vaccine isn't given as a standalone, but mixed in with tetanus - and it's the tetanus vaccine that causes the ache.

Ask the nurse to let you lie down and look away if you don't like needles, they're cool with that.

blue2014 · 21/05/2017 22:01

It's fine and I used to be needle phobic

Thissameearth · 21/05/2017 22:03

Yeah that's also a good point space as I noticed afterwards. But you still have to about your business and if you're right handed, then I don't think sleeping left hand side is so important until late pregnancy. at 20 weeks you'll be fine esp for a night or two only. Good luck!

FruitBadger · 21/05/2017 22:08

It hurts a little, but blood tests are worse. Achy / bruised feeling in my arm for a day or two afterwards. Psyche yourself up as though it's a blood test and you'll be fine Flowers

lightcola · 21/05/2017 22:09

Labour will be a lot worse.

NotTheBelleoftheBall · 21/05/2017 22:17

I found that the injection site ached for a few days after. And because I was sleeping on my left hand side (the same side as the jab) it was quite uncomfortable. I wished I'd asked for it in my right arm.

The jab itself is easy peasy though, didn't even smart. You'll be fine, fine, fine!

Original poster
Mandraki · 22/05/2017 06:48

lightcola haha yes you're right! Honestly not scared of labour (so far). Just needles. You've all reassured me loads though, thank you Smile

OP posts:
mistermagpie · 22/05/2017 08:00

I had the whooping cough and flu jabs at the same time, one in each arm. They were both the same, pain-wise, at the time but the flu one hurt more afterwards (achey arm) and the whooping cough was fine.

Original poster
Mandraki · 23/05/2017 20:20

Thank you all for your reassurance, I had the jab today and it was fine! Just a little sting going in, but otherwise painless, not even as bad as a blood test. Thanks all! Smile

OP posts:
ememem84 · 23/05/2017 20:31

Had mine on Thursday. It was ok and I'm not a needle fan. My gp said he had to show me the needle was in a sealed pack (dh came with me to confirm this - I'd rather not see them...!) the vaccine itself was fine.

My arm was a bit tender though for a few days. According to the leaflet they inject into the muscle. Which would make sense why it hurt.

Feyenoord · 23/05/2017 20:36

Injections hurt less if they do them very slowly. Also dob't look, that way your brains process less of what is happening.

Millie2013 · 23/05/2017 20:36

I didn't even feel mine going in Blush and I don't remember any aching afterwards either (and I'm not that badass with needles)

Nelly5678 · 04/06/2017 21:40

Blood tests are 5x worse. No exaggeration. You're all good

Flappergirl86 · 06/06/2017 20:42

I loathe needles and was absolutely pooping my pants about the whooping jab -I was astonished at how little it hurt and it was over so fast -a matter of seconds and I was in and out the room in less than a minute. It aches the next day but it was nothing traumatic. Don't sweat it at all -and I say that as a mega needle-chicken.

iamreginaphalange · 01/07/2017 04:34

Relax your arm and look away as they do it. Your arm might be sore for a day or two afterwards like someone has punched you there and just put some frozen peas on it. Congrats on the baby xx