From My Pregnancy Journal - Vaccinations

It was my first pregnancy. Most awaited one. One of the first few people I shared about my pregnancy was my aunt. She is a leading gynaecologist, and I always wished to give birth to my baby with her supervision. She told me about the importance of vaccination, especially during pregnancy.

I knew about different prenatal tests and screenings recommended during pregnancy. But the necessity of vaccination was one thing I hadn't thought about. My aunt enlightened me on the various diseases I was at risk for, especially the ones that can affect pregnancy and the health of my unborn child. She shared how pregnancy vaccination helps the child to attain immunity during the first few months of life. Of course, I made sure to get vaccinated as per her advice.

During my second pregnancy, my aunt's advice stayed with me and so I searched online as well to update myself with the latest information about vaccination in pregnancy. You know the inquisitiveness of an expecting mom never ends! Through my online research, I came across some new facts. In this blog, I have put together some key facts that I believe every expecting mommy should be aware of.

Most of us are familiar with the Tetanus injection that is received during pregnancy, right? It is more or less a routine injection during pregnancy. But do you know that you and your baby can receive protection against three diseases: Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis.

Tetanus is a nerve disease that causes a painful stiffening of the muscles that can lead to serious health problems, including being unable to open the mouth, having trouble swallowing and breathing.¹ Diphtheria is a serious infection of the throat that can block airways.² Pertussis is a contagious respiratory disease, which can lead to hospitalization, especially in newborns and babies less than two months of age.³

Newborns are not adequately protected against these three diseases at birth. Newborn vaccination against these diseases starts at 6 weeks of age⁴ but what if they get exposed to germs that cause Tetanus, Diphtheria or Whooping Cough (Pertussis) before they get these vaccinations? It will definitely put them at risk of complications.

Vaccination during pregnancy helps in passing on the protection from the mother to the newborn baby.⁵ Wondering how? Once vaccination is administered, the mother's body starts to produce antibodies. These antibodies are passed to the baby in her womb. These antibodies that get into the baby helps provide short-term protection against infectious disease.⁵

We can help protect our baby against all three life-threatening diseases-Tetanus, diphtheria, and Pertussis in one shot through 3-in-1 vaccination. Most common side-effects are mild to moderate pain, swelling and redness at the spot of injection.⁶

References:

1. CDC Tetanus. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/about/symptoms-complications.html. Accessed October 2023.
2. CDC Diphtheria. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diphtheria/about/symptoms.html. Accessed October 2023.
3. CDC Pertussis. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/signs-symptoms.html. Accessed October 2023.
4. Kasi et al. Indian Pediatr. 2021 Jan 15;58(1):44-53.
5. Vaccines and pregnancy: 9 things you need to know. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/pregnant-women/need-to-know.html. Accessed October 2023.
6. CDC Tdap Vaccine information statement. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/tdap.html#:~:text=Your%20health%20care%20provider%20can%20give%20you%20more%20information.&text=Pain%2C%20redness%2C%20or%20swelling%20where,sometimes%20happen%20after%20Tdap%20vaccination. Accessed October 2023. CL Code: NP-IN-PVU-WCNT-240002