Whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy

[Abby84]

Hi

I am coming up to 28 weeks pregnant with second child and I just wanted to some advice and info on other ladies experiences if having the whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy as I am due to have this soon. I am aware that this is a combined vaccination with diphtheria, polio and whopping cough.

Any advice welcome

Thanks

I had it at 31 weeks and I'm really glad I did. I did a little bit of research but have been told point blank that it's a necessity and to have it done. I think sometimes I over think things but in this instance I'm putting my trust in the NHS. I didnt feel brilliant afterwards but was absolutely fine the next day :)

I had it yesterday at 30 weeks and the only side effect I have had is a bit of a sore arm! Also I made sure I had it done in my right arm so I can sleep on my left!

Dropyoursword - Thanks for letting me know before I went back to the doctors and sulked! I'd be perfectly happy to pay for this privately, but they've told me that only Repevax (combined) is licenced for pregnant ladies in the UK - how frustrating! Thanks again.

I still feel unsure and wish I did not have to make this decision! I feel I need more advice, I know that everybody is saying that it is safe however it is new vaccine to pregnant women and there are no certainty's that there will not be any affects on baby. I was just wondering if it is possible have after given birth and antibodies would be passed on through breasfeeding? Anybody else feel unsure?

You can have it after the birth. The antibodies don't get passed over to your child through breastfeeding. I'm not sure why but apparently it just doesn't for whooping cough. The idea is that you vaccinate yourself and your family to create a ring of protection around your baby until they are old enough to get the vaccine themselves. Think it's around the 6 month mark but not sure.

Thanks I will look into this, I feel torn as I feel guilty if i do not go ahead with the vaccination and would be very anxious if I did, therefore i want to explore my options. I have a 3 year old who is due to have his booster near to when baby is due. I'm sure I read aswell that whopping cough is more prevelant in the summer months? I think because I have gestational diabetes I feel that this is another thing to worry about and I know i probably sound mad! But just a worried mother!

Of course you don't sound mad! Making decisions about vaccines can be a minefield. Where I live it is only given postnatally so I don't really know about its safety during pregnancy. I would ask a health professional if it is possible for baby to be born with whooping cough. I'm pretty sure they can't. So if you have decided that you WILL get the vaccine but you're just deciding on the timing, look into whether this is a possibility. If it really isn't then you should be more than safe to just get it once baby is born and alleviate any concerns you have about potential side effects during pregnancy.

having the jab was a no brainer for me so I won't go into pros and cons.

but just wanted to warn you that like polkadotsrock I had more than a sore arm - couldn't lift my arm and felt atrocious for the next couple of days, lost my voice and felt like I was getting flu. I've had similar symptoms with holiday jabs so I think it was the tetanus rather than the pertussis in the combined jab. luckily I had my mum on hand to look after older children or don't know what I'd have done.

I've also had the jab (for tetanus cover) and didn't feel a thing. Different for everyone I guess!