We all know that proper time of vaccination during pregnancy is a very important issue for both mother and child. The vaccine protects pregnant mothers from harmful infections. Not just the mother herself, getting vaccinated during pregnancy at right time will protect both you and your baby from harmful infections.
It is also safe for your baby to be vaccinated a few months after birth before he/she starts vaccinating. Your immune system will protect your unborn child from serious illness. In this useful article we’ll discuss about 5 important vaccines you must take during pregnancy. But at first let’s have a look why should a mother take vaccine during pregnancy?
Why to take vaccine during pregnancy?
Maternal illness can impede the growth and development of the baby. For example, if a pregnant mother has a rubella infection, the child may be born with a birth defect. Even before birth the child can die.
This defect in the womb of a mother infected with rubella is permanent. So the next time the child has to suffer. Check your blood before you become pregnant to make sure you are immune to rubella.
Most women in US take the first dose of rubella vaccine with measles at the age of nine months, and the second dose at the age of 15. If you have not been vaccinated against rubella, get the vaccine quickly.
Again, there are some diseases that enter the baby’s body from the mother’s womb. Some diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-A. The role of vaccines in the prevention of infectious diseases is undeniable. Many infectious diseases can be prevented by vaccination.
In our country, there is an immunization system for children and pregnant mothers through an expanded immunization program. Under the expanded immunization program, TT and MR vaccines against tetanus and rubella are given to women who are able to give birth in our country between the ages of 15 and 49 years.
Proper time of vaccination during pregnancy
1. Flu vaccine in pregnancy
Flu in the middle of pregnancy can lead to severe symptoms or complications such as pneumonia. Although infected with the mild flu, it causes painful symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat and cough.
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that women who become pregnant during the flu season, from November to March, be given flu shots. The flu vaccine is safe for both mother and unborn child because it is made with a dead virus.
But Flumist is a type of nasal spray vaccine that is made with live viruses so it must be avoided by pregnant women.
2. Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis vaccine
The tetanus or diphtheria or pertussis vaccine can be taken at any time. However, it is best to take it between 26-37 weeks of pregnancy. This vaccine is safe to take during pregnancy because it is a toxoid type.
Tetanus is also called locks. This affects the central nervous system and causes painful muscle cramps. Tetanus-causing bacteria are found in soil and animal waste. If it is cut anywhere on the skin of the human body, it can enter the bloodstream. Seek medical attention if deep and dirty sores appear anywhere on your body. Tetanus during pregnancy can lead to death.
Diphtheria is an infectious disease of the respiratory tract. This can lead to shortness of breath, paralysis, coma and even death.
And pertussis is the ultimate infectious disease caused by bacteria. This results in a persistent and deep cough and a loud noise, which is also called ‘hooping cough’.
3. Hepatitis B vaccine in pregnancy
According to the CDC, all pregnant women should be tested for Hepatitis B detection. Because many times the disease does not inform its presence. Hepatitis B vaccine is safe to use during pregnancy.
Hepatitis B is a virus infectious disease. This can lead to hepatitis, nausea, fatigue and jaundice. In some cases, it can lead to long-term liver disease, liver cancer and even death.
If the pregnant woman is infected with hepatitis B, the infection can spread to the newborn during delivery. If not treated properly, the child is at risk of developing severe liver disease in adulthood.
4. Hepatitis A vaccine in pregnancy
The hepatitis A vaccine protects the pregnant mother against liver disease, which is usually spread through contaminated water and food. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, and nausea.
It is not a serious disease like Hepatitis B. In most cases, the disease has no effect on the fetus. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause premature labor and neonatal infections.
5. Pneumococcal vaccine in pregnancy
If you have a long-term illness such as diabetes or kidney disease, your doctor may recommend a pneumococcal vaccine. Which will protect against several types of pneumonia. The harm to the unborn child is still unknown, but scientists believe the risk is low.
Why tetanus injection is given during pregnancy?
The TT vaccine is needed to protect against tetanus. Expectant mothers should get TT vaccine so that the baby does not get tetanus. If no vaccine has been given before, all must be given. The pentavalent vaccines given to children contain tetanus vaccines.
But since this vaccine cannot protect the newborn, under the expanded immunization program, TT and MR vaccines against tetanus and rubella are given to women who are able to give birth in our country, aged 15 to 49 years.
However, if the dose of 5 tetanus vaccines has been completed, there is no need to take this vaccine during pregnancy. And if someone has not received any vaccine, then two consecutive TT vaccinations should be given at intervals of 1 month after 5 months of pregnancy. And if you have been vaccinated twice before, you only need to take one booster dose per pregnancy.
This vaccine given to the mother develops immunity to tetanus in both mother and baby. Unhealthy environment during childbirth, carelessness in cleaning and using unclean knives, blades or scissors or putting something dirty at the base of the navel can cause tetanus in newborns.
Conclusion
Before concluding, if you are pregnant yourself or if any of your family and friends are pregnant, make sure that these vaccines are taken on time. This will keep both the unborn child and the mother safe.
Be sure to consult your gynecologist before taking any vaccine and keep a chart of when you are giving the vaccine so that it can be tracked in the future. We hope this article will be useful for everyone.
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