Whooping cough vaccine - am I overreacting?!!

[Claire5517]

Today I have had my 38 weeks appointment (I am 37+6 today) and have only just been told about this vaccine and that was only because my partner saw a poster about it in waiting room so asked about it. At first I didn't really feel annoyed that noone had mentioned it because I hadn't heard about it, but since doing some research about it and finding out it that it mainly benefits baby between weeks 28 and 32, and has even less benefits after week 38 I feel angry and that my baby will seriously be at a disadvantage!!!! I usually have the same midwife at every appointment so there is no excuse that they could think someone else would have mentioned it, we had a different mw today that was actually helpful. Am I overreacting??

I don't think you're overreacting - my midwife asked me if I'd had one at my 34 week appointment, but no one had ever mentioned it to me before! I'd read about it on mumsnet and decided to get it done before this. I know midwives can't possibly cover all topics in a 15-20min appt but there's a huge onus on the individual taking responsibility for researching these things - my biggest concern with it is that you really don't know what you don't know. Sorry, I know I'm probably not helping on the specific whooping cough jab worry, but just wanted to say I've shared some of your frustrations! xx

My doctor has said her research shows max benefit to baby at 36 weeks Preg, my jab due on Friday.

I don't think you're over-reacting my midwife spoke about it at booking in, and someone asked about it at a subsequent appointment (I'd already booked myself in for it by that point, they were just checking that I'd remembered)

I'm finding that where I am, there's a huge onus on me to remember to book my community midwife appts (bizarrely I have to call my GP's secretary to do so, rather than book direct)/other appointments at the GP surgery like the nurse for the jab whereas the hospital appointments are all booked for me well in advance and I get letters telling me where to go and when.

I'd previously been in another county, and each time I had an appt. they'd book in the next one on the spot, along with any other appointments I needed, which was much more sensible.