Questions & Answers

Additionally, I'm 40w2d and had the vaccine at 38 weeks (there is a shortage of the vaccine in Texas!) so it took a few weeks to find somewhere that had it in stock. It's also recommended that anyone providing long-term care receive the vaccine, so my husband and mother got it as well. It takes about 2 weeks for the antibodies to develop in sufficient quantities to be beneficial to the baby, so that's why they recommend it around 35/36 weeks at least.

If you need an actual tetanus shot, you couldn't have one because it is a weakened version of the virus but is still technically "alive" and they do not administer "live" vaccines to people with compromised immune systems. This is good to know in case you do find yourself saying "crap, I need a tetanus shot!" while pregnant because you will end up getting the tdap at whatever stage you happen to be in. Your baby will still get immunity if you get it early but it's better to wait to maximize the effectiveness.

It's always up to you whether or not you proceed with recommended vaccines and procedures during pregnancy, but more information sure makes deciding easier! Here are a few websites that can provide some additional info that may be helpful. The first is from the CDC and the second is from a national organization dedicated to preventing birth defects and other adverse pregnancy outcomes:

1.) http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/tdap-pregnancy-hcp.htm
2.) http://www.mothertobaby.org/files/tdap.pdf

This is not new and highly recommended toward the end of pregnancy. The reason for the booster (whether you've had it before or not) is because you will develop immunity and pass it to baby before baby is born. This protects baby from whooping cough before they can get the tdap shot themselves, which isn't for a few months. I absolutely would as there are outbreaks occurring more frequently and it can be devastating for a small baby to have. It has been shown to be harmless to baby and is in fact a routine procedure as far as I know. I had to have mine early because of a puncture wound and had no side effects or pain, just a little tenderness at the site of the injection for a day. The reason this vaccine is safe is because it is viral parts of the three pathogens (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) so they are completely dead (your body still makes antibodies effectively). If you needed a tetanus shot (which is what I actually needed for the puncture wound)...

Three of my friends have gotten this in the 3rd trimester. Part of the vaccine helps protect the baby against whooping cough, according to my doc. I have to get it this week with my flu and rhogam shots, plus the gestational diabetes blood draw...preparing to be a pin cushion! I never had the shot with my daughter, who is 6, though so it is a recent recommendation. And like eag923 said, it is recommended close relatives that will be around the baby get the flu shot and the TDAP or DTAP shot.

Hi, I was in with midwife last week and they recommend that any pregnant ladies get this whooping cough injection at 35/36 weeks. I am due to get mine in January time. I also have to get the rhesus injection at 30weeks as I found out I'm negative blood group.

I had the shot when I was 35 weeks and it hurt like the dickens, my arm was useless for a day and I got a little fever. My midwife said the benefits are worth it and they actually encourage a the shot for every pregnancy now. Anyways, we decided to do it if it benefited the baby in anyway.

I have read that they now recommend it at the end of pregnancy. I received mine two years ago right after the birth of my daughter. I also made close relatives get revaccinated bc we had a pertussis outbreak one county over & adults do not have the stereotypical symptoms so you may not realize you have it. If you decide against it now, get the vaccine after the birth since your childhood immunity has worn off by adulthood.