At some point during your pregnancy, hopefully you will be advised by your midwife to consider getting some key vaccines.
Influenza (flu) vaccine
This year we have seen a huge increase in the number of women coming in to hospital with flu! I don’t mean coughs/colds and normal winter symptoms. I’m talking actual flu, and when we are testing in the lab we are finding it is of the ‘swine flu’ type (H1N1) that hit us so bad a few years ago!
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Why is this important?
🤧Pregnancy naturally weakens your immune system to help you to grow and maintain your baby but this makes you more susceptible to things you may otherwise fight!
🤧If you do get flu while pregnant, you are more likely to develop complications which may result in pneumonia, sepsis or even meningitis. .
Will flu affect my baby?
🤧If you become unwell and develop sepsis this can result in preterm labour and other complications.
🤧What does the vaccine involve?
This single shot vaccine is developed each year in response to the type of virus that is circulating. The really good thing is this years shot DOES protect against H1N1 (Swine) flu.
🤧When can I have it?
It is safe to have the vaccine at any point from the first few weeks of pregnancy right up until the due date, even having the vaccine at the end will mean you will pass antibodies to your baby ensuring your newborn is protected for the first few months too!
Breastfeeding women can have the vaccine too!
🤧Will the flu vaccine give me flu?
No! The vaccine does not contain live virus but it can give you a slight temperature and achy muscles for a couple of days.
Everyone I have seen this year who is suffering with flu did not have the jab. It’s free and low risk so definitely consider having it!
Whooping cough vaccine
I received a number of questions about the whooping cough vaccine so I thought I would lay out the advice here (all from @nhsenglandldn website)
🤧Young babies who are not yet old enough to start their own vaccines are at the greatest risk of becoming unwell or needing to go to hospital with whooping cough.
🤧Pregnant women can have the vaccine which allows them to pass the immunity to their baby!
💉When is the best time to have the jab?
– You can get the vaccine from 16 to 32 weeks pregnant to maximise the chance your baby will be protected from birth
– Even if you are late, you can still get the vaccine any time up until labour although it may not be quite as effective
💉What vaccine will I get?
It is a 4 in 1 vaccine that will also protect you against polio, diphtheria and tetanus
💉Any side effects?
A red or swollen arm is normal. You may get a mild fever or headache.
💉Where can I get it?
Ask your GP, midwife or call the antenatal clinic.
💉I was vaccinated in my last pregnancy – do I need it again?
Yes you should get re-vaccinated for each pregnancy
If you have any more questions about vaccinations in pregnancy, drop me a comment below or get in touch!