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Premature birth

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Original poster

vaccinations for premature babies

15 replies

ladylush · 02/09/2009 21:48

Firstly, I don't want this to turn into a pro/anti vax thread. dd is due to have the first lot of vaccinations next week. I'm really apprehensive about it because though dd is 8 weeks old next week, she was born 10 weeks early. I'd rather wait until she is heavier/a little older before she has the jabs. She was only just over 5lbs when weighed last Friday. What did other parents do in my situation?

OP posts:
sorky · 02/09/2009 21:52

You don't have to have them at 8 weeks, why not wait another 10 weeks until she is the 'right' age?

8 weeks is the very earliest that it is advisable to have them, earlier is dangerous.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with waiting a bit longer. You can also space them wider apart if you wish, just tell your HV

Original poster
ladylush · 02/09/2009 22:05

Thanks Sorky I think we will do that. I'm seeing the HV tomorrow so will tell them what we've decided.

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Doozle · 02/09/2009 22:07

DD was 7 weeks early and she had the jabs at 8 weeks old (ie 1 week old corrected age). It was all fine. But if you're not happy, then I'm sure they'll let you put it back a bit.

Original poster
ladylush · 03/09/2009 11:26

Thanks Doozle. I told the HV today and she didn't question the decision. Just have to hope she doesn't contract any of the illnesses before she gets the jabs.

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Doozle · 03/09/2009 17:49

No probs, how is she doing by the way? We spoke on a different thread when your waters broke (I had a PROM too).

JollyPirate · 03/09/2009 17:52

It's up to you. There is no reason she can't have them and I know in Neonatal Units they are usually given as they are due. It has to be your decision though and you need to feel happy that the decision you come to feels right.

normalserviceresumes · 03/09/2009 18:20

I had a baby 13 weeks early and he was given them at eight weeks, a full 5 weeks before he was even due to be born and he'll be having his second lot right around his due date.

A dr assured us that it is fine.

Original poster
ladylush · 04/09/2009 10:35

Thanks all for your messages
Doozle - hello, yes I remember you now Dd is doing very well. She was in the NNU for 5 weeks (born at 30+5). Had a touch of Jaundice but no other physical health problems remarkably. She has been home almost 3 weeks and is an absolute joy When we go out she seems to draw lots of attention. If only I had a pound for every time someone said "Look at that tiny baby" She was born weighing 3lb 9oz, lost a pound the week after birth and is now 5lb 8oz so weight gain has been quite good.
Still, I'd rather she is bigger before getting the jabs done. Dh feels the same.
How are your dc?

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babyjamas · 04/09/2009 19:16

good to hear that all is going well. dd2 (27 weeker) had her first lot whilst still in scbu - she was less than 5lb when she came home, so was most likely 4lbish when she had the jabs. we didn't query it tbh - she had a couple of v nasty infections when very tiny which were awful for her and us, so quite happy for her to have them rather than face catching something. but, otoh, totally understand where you're coming from - when they are so tiny it's hard to process the fact that their bodies can cope.

Original poster
ladylush · 04/09/2009 23:15

hi babyjamas - remember you from my thread as well Yes, I am worried about her system being overloaded. Equally I can understand why you opted to get them done at the recommended time. I noticed that there are now three sets of first immunisations, whereas with ds there was only two. Does anyone know why it's changed?

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Gleno · 05/09/2009 22:51

Hi, my LO who is now 9 months old was born 6.5 weeks prem and I was advised by the doctor and paed to have his injections when he was 8 weeks old. I was very apprehensive as gestationally he was under 2 weeks. Listening to the docs was the worst thing I could ever have done as I had an extremely poorly boy for 10 days. We didn't know what to do with him as he was so unwell/wouldn't feed and it was all down to the injections. The doctor told us the symptoms could last for up to 2 weeks... The following injections then had to be given in 6-8 week intervals and he was monitored and checked over fully before he had them. He was absolutely fine, just a little grumpy at the last lot (normal) but I really did hold off having them done.

If I'm blessed to have another baby and if I did have another prem baby, I would defo go with my heart next time and not have them so early!

HairyMaclary · 05/09/2009 22:58

My DS wasn't born here (in NZ) but he had his jabs at when they would have been done if he had been born on time. Therefore he had his 6 weeks jabs, 6 weeks after he was born when he was still 35 weeks, the day we left hospital. All was fine. Hope you little one is ok!

Original poster
ladylush · 06/09/2009 00:54

Thanks Gleno and Hairy
Gleno - sorry to hear your lo was poorly after his jabs but glad he is ok now Dd has some digestive problems (nothing diagnosed as yet but struggles a lot in the evenings with wind and regurgitation with some vomitting) so getting jabs done now would worry me

OP posts:
Bobo23 · 30/09/2009 20:02

Hello

My DS is now 9 months old so its a bit of a blur... but I do remember that the nurse would only give him one jab at a time cos his thighs were so skinny and he was so small! He was 4lb when he came home so he can't have been much over 5lb when he had his jabs....

Original poster
ladylush · 02/10/2009 12:17

Thanks bobo We decided we'd wait til she is 8 weeks corrected (about 6 weeks time). She's almost 8lbs now so I estimate she'll be about 11lbs then.

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