Whooping cough vaccine

[Dlah]

I know there's a lot of debate around this, but I'd like to know what choice people made and why you personally made it . .

TIA

Can anyone explain what the risks are? And why some people don't get it?

When are you supposed to have it? 3rd DC but I can't remember. I've been waiting for a letter with an appointment but now suddenly concerned maybe it's an appointment I make not the other way round!

Normally recommended from 28 weeks to have it, some GP surgerys make you an appointment, some expect you to make it.

I've just had midwife today I'm at 26 weeks tomorrow, she said anytime from now and the sooner the better,

I've booked in for next week as earliest they could get me in

Thank you! I'll give them a ring now!

Not had it. Might consider it post delivery
I didn't want to have the other 3 vaccines that are included with the WC one

Ave the reason you have the vaccine during pregnancy is to allow the immunity to your unborn child, so it won't be as effective after birth. If you are breastfeeding then it will help a little bit but otherwise it will be of little value.

Many parents are not aware that a baby is born with no maternal protection from whooping cough unless mother has had recent immunisation in pregnancy. While breastfeeding protects babies against many infections, it does not provide a baby with protection against whooping cough

I didn't realise there was much of a debate around it.

I had whooping cough as a child (very unpleasant but at least I was old enough that it wasn't as dangerous as it could be). I also had the vaccine last year when pregnant and will have it again in the next few weeks. My understanding is that it is effectively the first vaccination you can give to your baby and a sore arm could be what saves your child's life.

Might consider it post delivery
I didn't want to have the other 3 vaccines that are included with the WC one

The only person the baby is protected from in that case is you. Everyone else is a potential source of the bacteria that causes WC.

I have to say I was absolutely delighted that tetanus was included with it. It gives you 10 years of tetanus protection! Nice one!

From other threads I have read there is no proof yet to show this vaccine is safe for pregnant ladies and unborn babies, the manufacturer does infact say not to give it to pregnant ladies. I like to do a little more research before putting chemicals and god knows what else into my body, especially now I am pregnant. Also I noted that they advise against the jab for high risk mothers, is that because of a risk of late miscarriage? I'm not wanting to start an argument, I just would simply like to know more about a jab that is yet proven to be safe. Surely that is not stupid?

ps2304 - and 'other threads' are your research? OK then... I was quite happy to go with my doctors advise. Had the jab at 36 weeks. I'm fine. My ds is fine. So are MILLIONS of other women and their babies.

I am talking long term effects, there are no results what so ever about the effects past a couple of years.
And I don't mean threads on mumsnet. Please don't patronise me.

CmereTilliTellYa - they won't catch WC from me anyway as I have had it recently

My hospital is doing a study measuring ABs in women and newborns who have the jab and those who don't

Until there is more data I'm not happy to have it, as the current "data" is just based on "when we immunised more pg women, less newborns caught WC"

AveEldon as long as you are happy to take the risk that your little one might catch it. I weighed up the (possible, unproven) risks to having the injection to the known risks of contracting WC. Given it is on the rise and is potentially deadly for a baby it seemed an easy choice to be honest.

I think advice has moved to 20weeks now - I certainly had mine after 2nd scan this time rather than later on with dc2
But obvously anytime after that time is beneficial
Whooping cough is a horrible disease and I would rather have a sore arm for a day or 2 to make sure my baby is protected

Dylsmimi, the last of my worries is a sore arm.

I had it as afaik it's perfectly safe, so why wouldn't you. Whooping cough is really serious. You can be ill for months with it, so why would you risk a baby getting it. It could (as other posters have said) be fatal. I had no ill effects from it.

A study in 2012 found no risks to mother or baby to having the vaccine in pregnancy.

It is a case of weighing up the risks and making your choice

It is cyclical and judging by the HPA data will reach a 3 year peak this summer ie now. It is not a winter disease by any means

LJ8893 I thought they only introduced this jab for pregnant women in 2012? Before then it had never been tested on pregnant women.

AveEldon

I completely agree, we are just trying to do our best.

www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g4219

2014, reputable source.

Four deaths from it last year in the UK. All babies less than 3 months old. More than 4,000 reported cases in the population. I just wouldn't take the risk of not having the vaccine.