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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Whooping cough vaccine - how safe is it during pregnancy?

36 replies

AsereT123 · 19/06/2017 15:16

Hi all,
Am a first time mum and curr 21 weeks..... I had been advised to have a whooping cough vaccine at 20 weeks. When I looked online, however, it looks like any research done, (seems to be in the US) had looked at women having had the vaccine from 33 weeks.
Im not sure there's been much research into any potential long term side effects that having the vaccine could create.... so am feeling very unsure - as I think the baby would be vaccinated at 4 months to build her own immunity.
Whooping cough in London - I think there were 500 cases reported last year - can't say I've ever encountered anyone with it.
Am seeing my GP next week for an antenatal appt so maybe I should ask her.... am just very wary about taking any medication - especially in this case, a vaccine that hasn't had long term research studies.
Any advice appreciated...
Have any of you had the vaccine? Were you told it is definately safe??

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

RoseVase2010 · 19/06/2017 15:38

Nothing is 100% 'safe' but a lot of research has been done and whooping cough can be fatal to newborns.

I had it with my first and will with my second.

Original poster

AsereT123 · 19/06/2017 15:41

@RoseVase2010
Thanks for your reply - which week did you/will you have it in? i.e. did you have it at 20 weeks or after 30 weeks?

OP posts:

Creatureofthenight · 19/06/2017 15:44

Yes I've had it. No vaccine is definitely safe, but I believe it's safer than the potential risk of baby catching whooping cough, which as Rose says can be fatal in very young babies.
You can always have the vaccine a bit later on in your pregnancy if that makes you feel better? Up until recently it was given after 28 weeks but obviously this has now changed.

Original poster

AsereT123 · 19/06/2017 15:49

Thanks @creatureofthenight - I thought it used to be given later (& that's what research I looked up seemed to be based on).
I think I will plan to have it after 28 weeks - as you & Rose say, whooping cough can otherwise be fatal for newborns - on balance, having the vaccine sounds best, I think I will opt to have it later in my pregnancy.
thanks for your advice!

OP posts:

Gothbaby · 19/06/2017 16:03

Nothing is 100% but whopping cough can be nasty without it (friends baby nearly died as he got it at 5 weeks old). Having the vaccine means that your baby will have a small percentage more immunity between birth and having its own vaccine. When I got it there was purely about when I had time to do it! So I had it at... 30 weeks I think! X

Kittysparks1 · 19/06/2017 16:09

My ma got funny with me about having it. 29 weeks when I got it. My reasoning was if I had it and something went wrong with baby, although I may have regret, I was following recommendations. If I didn't have it and baby got whooping cough, I am fully to blame for going against recommendations. What bad case senario would be easier to mentally cope with...

BringMeTea123 · 19/06/2017 16:12

I had it too. Think I was around 23/24 weeks pregnant. My midwifes suddenly sprung it on me and came as a bit of a shock as I didn't know I needed these things lol. But I was back the next day and had it. My son was born perfectly fine and touch wood hasn't suffered with anything like it (he's now 8 months).

tailspin · 19/06/2017 16:13

I have had whooping cough even though I was vaccinated as a baby. I think there's an issue with the disease having evolved beyond what we were vaccinated for when young? Just to say that it is definitely a thing that occurs...

Notsure1234 · 19/06/2017 16:13

Just had mine today and I'm 29 weeks tomorrow. Sadly a relative of mine lost their baby at a couple of weeks old to whooping cough last year. I think the benefits outweigh any minimal risks

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 19/06/2017 16:15

My ds caught whopping cough at a fortnight old 16 years ago before the vaccine existed. .
Don't think twice about having it mners!! My ds nearly died and I wish it could have been prevented.
Awful time for us.

Oly5 · 19/06/2017 16:19

I've had it in both pregnancies and wouldn't hesitate. Babies die from whooping cough and this year could be far worse than last

DuggeeHugs · 19/06/2017 16:57

I had it at 28 weeks last time and 22 weeks this time. For me, the risk to baby of whooping cough is far greater than the risk of a tested and monitored vaccine

arbrighton · 19/06/2017 17:02

My friend's little boy was in intensive care and nearly died from whooping cough prior to vaccination age....

PeachesandPie · 19/06/2017 17:05

I'm sat in the doctors waiting for mine now! 22 weeks. Any risk to the baby now is minimal and far less than the risk if baby gets whooping cough at a very early age. It didn't even cross my mind not to have it.

Grainfail · 19/06/2017 17:09

I had mine for both pregnancies. My DD got it when she was a baby, but only a very mild case due to the vaccine. If I hadn't had it, it could have been much worse. Even with the mild dose it's frightening hearing such a small baby gasping for breath. I wouldn't hesitate to get the vaccination.

Lunalovepud · 19/06/2017 21:50

Hi OP - hope this helps:

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

I have had the shot in both pregnancies, third trimester for DC1 and second trimester for DC2.

DC2 is still baking but all scans / indications are that the baby is normal and healthy and I can confirm that DC1 is completely fine.

No medication is 100% effective or safe but I believe the NHS guidance that the shot is far safer than the risks of baby catching WC before their 8 week shots give them any immunity.

Pixiedust2017 · 19/06/2017 22:06

The Whooping cough vaccine is safe during pregnancy (otherwise they wouldn't offer it to you).
I have already had mine and am additionally insisting that my partner, his parents and my parents will have it as there has been a whooping cough outbreak this year a few hours from where I live (in NZ not UK).
Yes you are correct in that whooping cough is rare in the UK but it is your own and herd immunity that will protect your child from this disease that can have catastrophic outcomes in children,

Sidge · 19/06/2017 22:18

It's very safe and has reduced neonatal pertussis infection massively.

You might find this reassuring

AgainstTheOddsNo2 · 19/06/2017 22:19

Are you supposed to chase the vaccine or is it routinely offered and who by docs or midwife.

Sorry for the hijack but am 29 weeks and not been offered as yet

GherkinSnatch · 19/06/2017 22:21

I had it in both my pregnancies, and it was given at around 28-30 weeks. It's given at any point from 20-32 weeks for maximum efficiency as it gives a good stretch of time for antibody transfer to your baby.

Lunalovepud · 19/06/2017 22:21

Against - I had to make an appointment specifically for mine... Call your GP and make an appointment with the nurse for it.

AgainstTheOddsNo2 · 19/06/2017 22:23

Thanks. Will call tomorrow!

arbrighton · 20/06/2017 08:39

I was reminded by midwife after 20 week scan, probably at 24ish weeks (appointments a bit squiffy as I'm somewhere in between consultant and midwife)

But I had to book at GP practice myself

Michelin36 · 29/08/2017 19:55

I would definitely recommend having it if giving the option, and as someone still recovering from it. It is a horrific illness and I ended up 3 months ago in hospital for over a week on oxygen 24/7. As we speak I am in A&E as I am still having between 4-6 blackouts a day due to a lack of oxygen getting to the brain they think when coughing.

Broxibear · 29/08/2017 21:13

I got mine last week at 17 weeks pregnant. Midwife advised me to get it anytime after 16 weeks.

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