Expectant mothers are always warned about the dangers of using certain drugs during pregnancy. Even over-the-counter medications used for headaches or the common cold are not always safe for pregnant women and their babies. However, vaccinations during pregnancy can help protect pregnant women and their babies from potentially harmful viruses.
Not all vaccines are safe for pregnant women. It is important to become well informed of the vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy as well as the vaccines that should be avoided. Seek the advice of your OB/GYN to determine which vaccines to have before, during, and after your pregnancy. It is also important to do your own research about vaccines during pregnancy. For example, The March of Dimes gives a comprehensive view of vaccines and their role in the health of expectant women and their babies.
In general, pregnant women are not given vaccines that contain live viruses. Vaccines for illnesses such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Chickenpox are not recommended for expectant mothers. Many times, doctors recommend that women get flu shots if they are pregnant during the cold and flu season. This does not include the nasal vaccine FluMist, which contains live flu virus. Pregnant women are at higher risk at developing severe complications from the flu virus than women who are not pregnant.
With concerns growing over the H1N1 virus, also known as Swine Flu, the CDC is urging expectant mothers and parents of infants to get the H1N1 vaccine at first availability. Many pregnant women and parents are wary of any vaccines due to any possible unwanted lasting effects on the children. The preservative Thimerosal had been used in vaccines for years to help prevent contamination. The additive contains mercury and has potentially been linked to neurological disorders. The CDC contends that there will be vaccines available without the Thimerosal preservative.
Always discuss the benefits and drawbacks to having vaccines during your pregnancy with your OB/GYN. It is always the mother's decision to receive any medications or vaccines during pregnancy. Try to be informed before cold and flu season approaches; that way you can make your decision before actually getting sick.
Comments
Vaccines have never been shown to be safe for pregnant women. A study should have been done to compare women vaccinated during pregnancy and women without vaccines during pregnancy - that was never done. I was a guinea pig due to pressure from my obgyn and I received a flu shot while pregnant - my child has autism.
The large amount of organic mercury in the flu shot(s) don't hurt babies. That's just propaganda coming from the anti-vaccinaters. If you want the truth go to NBC and see what Dr. Nancy Snyderman has to say. Other good sources are Dr. John LaPuke from CBS, Dr. Timothy Johnson ABC or Dr. Gupta CNN. These honest Docters could never be corrupted!
Ask Snyderman,et al. to cite studies for their advice on safety. Vaccines are not tested on pregnant women. The risk of adverse outcomes on the fetus is unkown. The flu vax product inserts state:
FLUZONE:Pregnancy Category C: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Fluzone. It is also not known whether Fluzone vaccine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Fluzone vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. vaccineshoppe.com/image.cfmdoc_id=10203?_type=product_pdf
FLUARIX:Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with FLUARIX. It is not known whether FLUARIX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. FLUARIX should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. gsk.com/products/assets/us_fluarix.pdf
"Category C" means animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fet
I am amazed that pregnant women who would never take an alcoholic drink, an aspirin, or smoke during pregnancy would take the flu shot without reading the insert. I always ask moms if they studied what car seat to buy, what bed was the safest. But I have never found one mother who read the flu vaccine insert which clearly states it is not known if the vaccine causes fetal harm.
The new swine flu shot will have never been tested on pregnant women. Please remember the swine flu shot from 1976 that injured so many people.
The flu shots contain Thimerosal which contains mercury and per the site www.vaccinesafety.edu which is not sponsored by anti-vaccinators says it does as it lists all the vaxs. There are many people who give all vaccinations who do not get the flu shot because of this. Please do your own research and not jump on band wagons of either side. It's not about who is pro this and against that- it's about what you feel is safe for your kids and your body.
There are thimerosal free versions of flu vaccines. They are available at most doctor's offices upon request. As I do with my family, I would suggest calling ahead to request the preservative free vaccines if you are concerned about mercury or other additives.
You may even request to see the actual vaccine vial which will say "preservative free" if it does not have thimerosal. I do this with my kids for every vaccine that they receive. Not all vaccines have this preservative. Do your research, communicate your concerns with your doctor, and call ahead to make sure you are comfortable with the vaccine you are getting.
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