Disclosure : Thank you to Heartland Women’s Group Gynecology and Obstetrics Services for sponsoring this post and to Dr. Lowden for sharing her expertise with our community of moms.
Immunization of a mother before and during pregnancy is important to protect both baby and mother. Pregnancy renders the immune system less active by design, so that it does not recognize the baby as something that doesn’t belong in the body. Unfortunately, the pregnant woman is then more likely to contract an illness during pregnancy and more likely to be seriously affected by that illness.
Babies are born with no immunities except for the antibodies passed by their mothers while still in the uterus. Some vaccines can be given at birth, but others have to be given a little later as the baby’s immune system matures.
Timeline of Recommended Vaccines in Pregnancy
Some vaccines can and should be given during a pregnancy, while others, specifically the ones containing live viral particles, should not be given. For this reason, it is best to see a doctor before pregnancy to assess immunity and receive any vaccines that are needed. Common vaccines in this category are the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and the varicella (chickenpox).
Once pregnancy is established, women should receive the flu vaccine if they will be pregnant during influenza (flu) season, and the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) regardless of time of year. After delivery, the MMR and varicella vaccines can be given if indicated.
Influenza is a respiratory illness that is seen in the United States from October through May. It affects pregnant women more severely than non-pregnant women. Infants also are at risk because they can’t receive the vaccine until six months of age. Women who will be pregnant during flu season should receive the inactivated vacci
ne. Despite common myths, this vaccine cannot cause the flu, and it can protect the mother and unborn baby, as well as improve the baby’s immunity after birth.
Tdap is a combination of vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Every year, we see a larger outbreak of pertussis, and many affected are infants three months of age or less. Often the baby is exposed by a family member whose immunity has waned due to lack of maintaining booster vaccines every 10 years. Pertussis is often a mild illness in an adult, but can be deadly to a new baby.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends receiving Tdap during every pregnancy, regardless of prior vaccine history. The best time is between 27 and 36 weeks gestation, but any time is acceptable. The goal is to allow the mother’s immune system to make antibodies to pass to the baby, in hopes of giving the newborn better protection during those initial months before the baby’s vaccines can safely be given.
Protecting Your Baby
Make sure that family and close contacts of the baby are up-to-date on their vaccines. Everyone should have a flu vaccine during flu season and Tdap if not received in the past 10 years. Also ask about childhood immunizations and whether anyone in contact with the baby has been vaccinated. If they can’t remember, they should see their physician. Many people have less than adequate immunity to measles, as we have seen in recent outbreaks.
Vaccines have been proven very safe and extremely beneficial. The myth that they cause autism has been disproven many times. Even the author of the original study showing a link has come out and retracted his statements, admitting to fraudulent practices. For more information, check out www.cdc.gov/vaccines or www.fda.gov/biologicsbloodvaccines, and discuss vaccination with your doctor.
** This blog post was written to serve as guidance on vaccinations during pregnancy and should not be taken as concrete medical advice, nor do the views above reflect the views of Heartland Women’s Group or HCA. As with any medical questions or concerns, please make an appointment with your physician to discuss your own personal situation and treatment options.
Dawn A. Lowden, MD, has been in practice for more than 16 years and is passionate about providing individualized care, and takes the time to listen to her patients. At Heartland Women’s Group, she specializes in DaVinci® robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, hysterectomy, single-site hysterectomy, uterine prolapse, incontinence, high-risk obstetrics, adolescent gynecology and prolapse surgery. Outside her professional life, she coaches and participates in team training for the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society and serves on the Provider Care Board of Directors. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
