What Vaccines Should You Get After Delivery
Now is the time to catch up on any vaccines you may have been unable to get during pregnancy or before becoming pregnant, such as the MMR and chickenpox vaccines. Moms who are breastfeeding can get vaccinated according to a normal adult vaccination schedule.
As mentioned above, if you’re due for a Td booster and didn’t get one during pregnancy, the latest recommendation is to get Tdap, which includes pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Women younger than 26 should also consider getting the HPV vaccine that helps protect against cervical cancer. The shot isn’t recommended during pregnancy because studies haven’t yet determined its safety for a developing baby.
Do I Need To Delay Getting Pregnant Or Fertility Treatments If Im Planning On Getting Vaccinated
Current recommendations say there is no reason to delay conception. If you become pregnant after receiving your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you should not delay getting the second booster dose as scheduled. The only possible risk physicians are currently aware of with the vaccine is the possibility of a fever following the second dose, a side effect experienced by around 10-15% of vaccine recipients. In animal studies, high fevers in early pregnancy have been associated with a slight increase in risk of birth defects and pregnancy loss. If this is a concern, the current recommendation is that you take a pregnancy-safe fever reducer such as Tylenol if you experience a fever after getting vaccinated.
If you are undergoing fertility treatments, the current recommendation is to continue the treatments and to get vaccinated. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends vaccination in people planning to conceive spontaneously or with assisted reproductive technology, like IVF . A recent study showed no difference in IVF success outcomes in people who had been vaccinated against or previously infected with COVID-19. Speak with your physician and/or fertility specialists to make the decision that is best for you.
Will The Vaccine Cause Infertility Or Damage To The Placenta
There is also no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine would reduce your natural fertility or harm the placenta or fetus. While the COVID-19 vaccine is new, the mechanism of action of this mRNA vaccine and existing safety data provide reassurance regarding the safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines during pregnancy. A recent study published in The American Society for Reproductive Medicine s Fertility & Sterility found no difference in implantation rates in patients with previous vaccination, previous infection, and no previous vaccination or infection.
The president of the ASRM states that no matter where you are in the family-building process, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and saves lives.
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Can I Get A Covid
The CDC has indicated that the vaccine should be administered to those who are pregnant. Additionally, several professional societies have advised pregnant people to get vaccinated. However, if you have specific questions or concerns about your own health status, you should discuss them with your healthcare provider.
The World Health Organization recommends that pregnant people at high risk of exposure should consider vaccination because of the higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection in pregnancy and the increased risk of premature birth. Of note, the WHO stopped short of a full recommendation not because of any specific safety concerns about the vaccine but because of a lack of data in pregnant people. Additionally, the WHO stated that breastfeeding people should be vaccinated because there is no evidence that being vaccinated while breastfeeding has any negative effect on the parent or child, and in fact breastfeeding can transmit valuable antibodies to the baby through the breast milk, further protecting them against COVID-19.
While the overall risk of experiencing a severe course of COVID-19 is low, if youre pregnant you have an increased risk of getting severely ill if you contract COVID-19.
When Is The Best Time To Be Vaccinated
Some vaccines, such as the ones for hepatitis A or B or for the influenza virus, are safe to receive before and during pregnancy. Other vaccinations, such as the ones for chicken pox or rubella, contain weakened but live versions of the virus/bacteria and are best given at least a month before a woman conceives. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to schedule essential vaccines.
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The Flu Shot During Pregnancy
A flu shot is recommended during each pregnancy, and its fine to get at any point. If youre pregnant before flu season begins, try to be vaccinated by the end of October so that youre protected before the season gains momentum.
Having a flu shot during pregnancy will protect your baby from the flu during the first six months of life, before he or she is old enough to be vaccinated. It helps protect babies in utero as well.
And a recent study in the journal Birth Defects Research shows that the flu can even endanger a developing fetus. Women who were hospitalized for the flu during the 2009 pandemic were more likely to deliver preterm, and their infants were more likely to have low birth weights and be in poorer overall health, compared with women who didnt get the flu, according to the study.
The flu shot is also critical for keeping expectant moms healthy. Pregnant women have a much greater chance than their nonpregnant peers of developing a serious complication, such as high fever, pneumonia, or sepsisor even dyingif they come down with the flu.
The main reason is that the immune system cant fight infections as easily during pregnancy because its busy protecting the fetus, as well as mom, says Laura Riley, M.D., an obstetrician and the gynecologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Principles For Developing Pregnancy Recommendations
Formulating policy to guide vaccination of women during pregnancy and breastfeeding is challenging because the evidence-base to guide decisions is extremely limited. In 2008, CDC published Guiding Principles for Developing ACIP Recommendations for Vaccination During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding to provide guidance to help standardize both the process of policy formulation and the format and language of recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women to CDC workgroups or subject matter experts developing vaccine statements subsequent to that date.
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I’m Trying To Get Pregnant Should I Get Vaccinated
Yes. Everyone age 5 and older should get vaccinated , says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . That includes people who are trying to get pregnant now or in the future, as well as their partners. The risk of developing COVID-19 with serious side effects is greater for pregnant people and their babies, and that’s not something you want to be dealing with at a vulnerable time. The vaccines are also recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The CDC’s guidance is based on growing evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. None of the existing shots or boosters have been associated with fertility problems in males or females. “There is currently no evidence that shows any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men,” emphasizes the CDC. People even got pregnant during the vaccines’ clinical trials.Research also supports vaccines. In January 2022, a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, funded by the National Institutes of Health, analyzed conception rates among 2,126 U.S. and Canadian couples. It found that getting the Pfizer and Moderna shot did not affect either partner when it came to TTC. Another study cited by the CDC did not find any difference in pregnancy success rates regardless of whether a person had gotten the virus, been vaccinated, or never been vaccinated. That held true of those who did IVF, too.
Which Vaccines Do You Recommend For Patients Planning On Starting A Family
First, aspiring parents should be up-to-date on all their childhood vaccines.
Rubella is one of the most important for a mother who wishes to become pregnant, because congenital rubella infection can cause many problems with a growing baby. This vaccine should be given before getting pregnant, as it is a live-virus vaccine and shouldnt be given to pregnant women.
“The antibodies generated by the flu shot will also circulate to the baby during pregnancy and protect the baby in early life.”
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Are Vaccines Safe In Pregnancy
Some vaccines are very important to get during pregnancy, while there are others you should avoid. Meanwhile, others are considered on a case-by-case basis:
A general rule of thumb is:
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Vaccines made of inactivated components are mostly safe.
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Vaccines made of live viruses and bacteria could cause harm during pregnancy and are best avoided.
Will You Recommend That Your Patients Get Vaccinated Are You Getting Vaccinated
With the exception of some very rare instances of individuals with unique health concerns, we recommend the COVID 19 vaccine to all of our patients. We believe that in the vast majority of cases, the benefits outweigh the risks, and the vaccine is much safer than contracting COVID-19.
Some of us are breastfeeding, some of us are pregnant or are planning to be pregnant in the near future we all have patients, friends, and family that we want to protect, and we are all frontline healthcare workers. We are grateful to be vaccinated, and hope that others will take advantage of this opportunity to protect themselves, their children, and the other members of their communityWhile the overall risk of experiencing a severe course of COVID-19 is low, if youre pregnant you have an increased risk of getting severely ill if you contract COVID-19.
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Which Vaccines Should You Consider Before Conception
The preconception period offers a unique opportunity to find your immunization records and review them with your primary care provider. Some vaccines should be considered for all women who are hoping to conceive. Others are recommended based on additional medical issues.
Influenza: Getting your flu shot in anticipation of pregnancy will help protect you during flu season. Flu shots are generally available each year from late August through March, to correspond with the influenza season . You can get a flu shot at your doctors office or at many pharmacies. If you could be pregnant, ask for the inactivated influenza vaccine. The nasally administered live vaccine is not recommended for women who may be pregnant, although children in your home can safely have this version of the vaccine.
Measles, mumps, and rubella : Given the ongoing global measles outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommend assessing measles immunity before a woman becomes pregnant. Your doctor can review your immunization record with you and determine if you have had an adequate number of MMR vaccines. If not, or if you cannot find your immunization record, your doctor can order a blood test to evaluate your immunity and give you a booster shot if needed.
Are There Risks Of Getting The Vaccine While Trying To Get Pregnant
Based on existing research, no. The current COVID-19 vaccines have met the Food and Drug Administration’s strict regulations and have been deemed safe for distribution to the general public. Current studies haven’t shown any negative effects on fertility or pregnancy. Again, experts say that the benefits of getting vaccinated while TTC or pregnant outweigh any potential risks.
Talk to a healthcare professional if you still have qualms. It may help to know that the vaccines went through the same rigorous testing as previous vaccines considered fine to use while TTC. “There are not any associated risks with getting other vaccines while trying to conceive,” says pediatrician Jessica Madden, M.D., the founder of Primrose Newborn Care and a neonatologist at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, in Cleveland, Ohio. The COVID-19 vaccine is believed to follow suit.
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What Is A Vaccination
A vaccination is a shot that contains a vaccine. A vaccine is a medicine that helps protect you from certain diseases. During pregnancy, vaccinations help protect both you and your baby. Make sure your vaccinations are current before you get pregnant. And talk to your health care provider about vaccinations that are safe to get during pregnancy.
Our vaccination chart shows which routine vaccinations are recommended before and during pregnancy. Its based on the chart from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows which vaccinations are recommended before, during and after pregnancy.
Before you get any vaccination, tell your provider if you have any severe allergies or if youve ever had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine. An allergy is a reaction to something you touch, eat or breathe in that makes you sneeze, itch, get a rash or have trouble breathing. For example, some vaccines are made with eggs. If youre allergic to eggs, those vaccines may cause an allergic reaction for you. If you have allergies, your provider can tell you which vaccines are safe for you. And you may need to get the vaccine at your providers office or at a hospital or health clinic so you can get treatment quickly if you have an allergic reaction.
Measles Vaccine During Pregnancy
Measles is the other vaccine-preventable disease on the minds of moms across the country. With measles outbreaks popping up around Canada, many new mothers are facing real concerns about their newborn infants being exposed, says Poliquin. But, babies normally arent vaccinated until theyre about 12 months. In this case, having antibodies already on board is key. Unfortunately theres a catch: the MMR vaccine is live, so if youre already expecting, dont expect your practitioner to offer you a booster.
In general, live virus vaccines are not administered during pregnancy because there is a theoretical risk of infection to the fetus, says Sarah Tranquilli-Doherty, family physician who provides obstetrical care at St. Pauls Hospital in Vancouver. Other live vaccines like the herpes zoster for shingles and oral typhoid are also contra-indicated during pregnancy.
My advice is to see your primary care provider if getting pregnant is even a possibility and talk to them about whether you are immune , says Poliquin. Theres a good chance you received one or two doses of the vaccine in childhood If you got the vaccine, youre probably still protected. If youre not sure if you were immunized, your practitioner may suggest a blood test to see if you have sufficient antibodies. If youre not immune, but already expecting, youll have to wait until after baby arrives to get the vaccine and baby wont get any protection until their 1-year shots.
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Which Vaccines Do I Need After My Baby Is Born
After your baby is born, you may need to get vaccines to protect against:
- Whooping cough: If you didnt get the whooping cough vaccine when you were pregnant, youll need to get vaccinated right after delivery. Other people who spend time with the baby may also need to get the whooping cough vaccine.
- Measles, mumps, and rubella, and chickenpox: If youre not already protected from measles, mumps, rubella, or chickenpox, youll need to get vaccinated before you leave the hospital.
All routinely recommended vaccines are safe for breastfeeding women.
Learn more about vaccines your baby needs early in life .
Contact A Womens Medical Care Provider Near Me
Your bodys immunity is crucial for your unborn childs development during pregnancy, as the baby receives your antibodies to develop an independent body immunity. Subsequently, as an expectant mother, you need to obtain all the vaccines required before and during pregnancy to safeguard your unborn baby.
Additionally, receiving immunization will save you the stress and turmoil that comes after giving birth, especially when the infant has underlying conditions caused by different avoidable medical conditions. For the best assistance in getting your immunizations before and during a pregnancy term, we recommend consulting an OB-GYN in a trusted womens care facility. This way, you will obtain reliable information based on your medical history and physical requirements.
At All Womens Care, we dedicate our services to women in Los Angeles, California, aiming to provide the best medical care in the field of reproductive health. With our years of experience in providing medical support and care to pregnant women, you can count on us to deliver a helpful immunization plan before, during, and after having a baby. To get started with us, give us a call today at .
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Immunization Available During Pregnancy
When you become expectant, you are eligible to receive several immunization vacancies to maintain your health. The vaccinations become available mostly during specific periods when the diseases in interest become rampant.
During your clinic appointments, your OB-GYN will keep records of different supplements and vaccines you have received so far to prepare you for the immunization schedule during the pregnancy. The two primary vaccines available for pregnant women are:
What Do You Suggest Expecting Parents Do If Family Members Are Hesitantor Outright Refuseto Get Vaccinated
I personally take a strong stanceif a family member is not willing to get vaccinated, I dont let them near my children until my kids have been adequately vaccinated and are a bit older .
The issue of vaccines should be brought up the same way that an expecting parent speaks to family members about other illnesses.
Just as you would ask them to wash their hands, check themselves for signs/symptoms of illness , anyone wanting to be close to a newborn should be willing to vaccinate themselves against infections that could seriously harm the baby.
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