Article
Vaccines during pregnancy: what expectant moms need to know
When it comes to health and wellness in pregnancy, any choice an expectant mom makes is for two (or more!)—including whether to receive vaccines. During National Immunization Awareness Month, we’re taking the opportunity to educate our patients and all pregnant women on this critical area of their care.
As with any medical treatment, recommendations around vaccinations center on risk vs. benefit. In general, a vaccine that contains inactive viruses is safe in pregnancy, and its protective benefits almost always outweigh its risk.
The flu shot and the Tdap vaccine—which prevents against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough)—are primary examples of vaccines that contain no live viruses. Not only do these vaccines protect both mother and fetus from potentially serious infections, but the baby will then retain some of that immunity after birth. For these reasons, we routinely recommend that women receive the flu shot and the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy.
That having been said, it’s important to note that only the flu shot—not the nasal mist—is recommended in pregnancy, as the nasal mist is made from a live virus. Other common vaccines that contain live viruses include the chickenpox (varicella), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and shingles (varicella zoster) vaccines. Since it’s possible a live virus vaccine, while generally safe for children and infants, could pose a risk to the baby, pregnant women should avoid these vaccines.
Other vaccines
Health care providers may recommend other vaccines during pregnancy in certain cases, such as upcoming travel outside of the U.S. If a mom is at higher risk for infection due to certain health factors, we may determine that hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines would be beneficial.
It’s the job of your obstetric provider to explain the risks and benefits of receiving any vaccine, and to make recommendations based on your particular situation. Call us with any questions or to make an appointment. We can help you make the best choices for your baby’s health and yours.
Related posts
Looking for more women's health insights?
Up to ten percent of pregnant women experience a condition called gestational diabetes, which, like other forms of diabetes, means the body does not produce enough insulin to properly break down sugars into energy. The exact cause is unknown, but the hormonal changes and weight gain that occur during pregnancy can trigger insulin resistance in some women.
One of the most talked-about symptoms of pregnancy is morning sickness, which isn’t surprising as it affects up to 80 percent of people who are pregnant. The term is actually a misnomer since queasiness, nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of day. The good news is that the symptoms typically don’t last much beyond the first trimester for most women. However, if you are in the throes of it, that can seem like a long time, so here we share seven tips to help minimize morning sickness.
If a problem can’t be seen, it can’t be solved. The earlier a health condition is detected, the sooner steps can be taken to treat it. And though facing fears around diseases can be challenging, early detection of breast cancer, for example, can mean a 99% five-year survival rate, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.