Whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy

toothndnail4u

I've been recommended this vaccine by my gp after my 28th of pregnancy. There's a lot of conflicting info online. Has anyone received the vaccine in their pregnancy recently or at all? Jut wondering should I get it. I'm in two mind. I had whooping cough as a child, so am I immuned? And do I pass on that immunity to my child through breastfeeding?

annoyedgal

I had it at week 37, left it quite late as my GP wanted to get a few opinions on it before administering it. He consulted with another doc who is an expert in vaccines and he was convinced after that!
Can't answer the other questions as don't know but whopping cough can be dangerous for small babies so if you don't get it limit your babies exposure to people with coughs. My GP said lots of adults have it without knowing, they just think it's a very bad cough/chest infection.

LegacyUser

annoyedgal wrote: »

I had it at week 37, left it quite late as my GP wanted to get a few opinions on it before administering it. He consulted with another doc who is an expert in vaccines and he was convinced after that!
Can't answer the other questions as don't know but whopping cough can be dangerous for small babies so if you don't get it limit your babies exposure to people with coughs. My GP said lots of adults have it without knowing, they just think it's a very bad cough/chest infection.

Did you have any side effects? Have you given birth yet?

toothndnail4u

annoyedgal wrote: »

I had it at week 37, left it quite late as my GP wanted to get a few opinions on it before administering it. He consulted with another doc who is an expert in vaccines and he was convinced after that!
Can't answer the other questions as don't know but whopping cough can be dangerous for small babies so if you don't get it limit your babies exposure to people with coughs. My GP said lots of adults have it without knowing, they just think it's a very bad cough/chest infection.

Did it go ok for you? Any side affects? Have you given birth yet?

Kathy22

I was the same as you rather cautious about it. My consultant and the midwives in the hospital recommended it but my GP was not very keen to administer it. I had to get a letter from my consultant to get it from my GP as he did not want to have the responsibility which made me really nervous. I ended up getting it yesterday at 38+3 which is rather late but based on all my research, speaking to people etc. I came to the conclusion it was the best option. The communication of it is really bad, there is conflicting information between the hospital and some GPs and no leaflets available in the hospital on it. I just wish there was a straightforward viewpoint and information source rather than having to go digging!

TheIronyMaiden

I got the whooping cough vaccine when I was about 29 weeks pregnant. No issues afterwards (apart from a sore arm but that was the same after I got the flu vaccine too). I had my little one 5 weeks ago and all good so far!
I was like you, confused by the conflicting opinions, but my reasoning for getting it was the same for getting the flu vaccine - I didn't feel comfortable not getting it and leaving things to chance.

Penny Dreadful

I got the vaccine at 30 weeks and had no side effects what so ever. I had to get it as I have an auto immune condition and the treatment I was on for it through most of my pregnancy meant that there was a risk the baby's immunity might be compromised for several weeks post delivery. The vaccine would cross the placenta and so immunise both me and the baby.
I've had no regrets or concerns about getting it at all. It wouldn't be recommended if it wasn't safe tbh.

annoyedgal

I had sore itchy arm at the injection site for a few days, otherwise fine. Had baby since and no issues. It's given to pregnant women as standard in the UK and once my GP got on board he said it would adopted as policy in their clinic. Think as someone else said theres a breakdown in communication between hospitals and GPs. I did have to pay 30 for it, not sure if that was administration fee or vaccine cost .

Coopaloop

I got it on both my pregnancies and I have two happy, healthy children,one is two and a half and a 5 month baby, doctor really pushed it as a precaution, said it was more important than the flu vaccine which only protects mother,the whooping vaccine makes your baby immune so that sold me. No side effects apart from a killer sore arm after.
I had whooping cough as a child and I wouldn't wish it on anyone,I was 8 and I still remember it to this day, I missed 2 months of school with it, awful fits of coughing,not being able to breath or lay down flat to sleep at night.

rainbow kirby

Got mine at 30 weeks - no side effects at all. It's standard here, and any extra protection that I could give my son is worth it.

mickoneill31

My missus got it a few weeks ago. She was saying her arm was sore after it. That's about it. The baby isn't due for another two weeks but so far everything is great.

Merkin

It's given as standard in the UK. I had no side effects and it's definitely something I'd recommend to all pregnant ladies as whooping cough in small bubbas can be life threatening.

theLuggage

I got it in my third trimester - can't remember how far along. Baba is nearly 8 months and doing fine. The risk of them catching whooping cough and the dangers associated were enough for me.

pc7

My consultant is my age with two young children, I asked her did she get it herself, she didn't. She felt with good hygiene and asking people not to visit if sick could be enough to protect the baby. I didn't get it based on this on my last pregnancy and babs thankfully was fine. Didn't get so much as a sniffle until starting creche at 10 months. I won't get it on this pregnancy either.

Dobbit

Got it at 33 weeks, no problems. Healthy 9 month old now.

Leogirl

Got it at 30 something weeks. Happy healthy 7.5 mth old now.

Lucuma

I got it and have a nearly 2 week old baby now with no issues so far. My arm was really sore after it as well, that's the tetanus part of the 3-in-1 my GP said (there's no designated WC vaccine so they give us the 3-in-1)

Flutterby80

I got it last week when I was 30 weeks, no side effects so far and my arm wasn't even sore after it. I asked my doctor if he felt it was necessary and he recommended that I get it so after a bit of reading up I decided to go ahead with it.

livinsane

Got it during my last pregnancy (he is 2y7m now) and I'll get it again for this pregnancy as both are October babies. I didn't experience any side effects.
Totally understand how it is daunting making these decisions while pregnant. I gave it good thought and based my choice on the fact that there were no recorded cases of the vaccine having ill effects on the child but there were cases that year of infants in Ireland and the UK dying from whooping cough or being seriously ill so it was a threat.

PhoenixParker

Has anyone had a problem with their GP refusing to give the vaccine?
If so what did you do?

I'm waiting on the hospital to call back and they may be able to sort something but they said they don't generally do it.
I spoke to another local GP too and they won't do it unless I'm a patient.
I do plan to change GPs once babs arrives, I'd do it now, but the other local GP I spoke to doesn't have space right now and won't until September. (They're the ones I want to transfer to if possible).

Lucyfur

PhoenixParker wrote: »

Has anyone had a problem with their GP refusing to give the vaccine?
If so what did you do?

I'm waiting on the hospital to call back and they may be able to sort something but they said they don't generally do it.
I spoke to another local GP too and they won't do it unless I'm a patient.
I do plan to change GPs once babs arrives, I'd do it now, but the other local GP I spoke to doesn't have space right now and won't until September. (They're the ones I want to transfer to if possible).

Wow, what's their reasoning? I was due mine today but it's been push back a week as I'm sick with a high temp. So only not getting it today so I don't feel worse than I already do.

PhoenixParker

Lucyfur wrote: »

Wow, what's their reasoning? I was due mine today but it's been push back a week as I'm sick with a high temp. So only not getting it today so I don't feel worse than I already do.

That was my reaction too.

Apparently she doesn't like giving vaccines to pregnant women. I had planned to change anyway as I haven't been happy with the practice in a while but this has more then cemented my decision.

Lucyfur

PhoenixParker wrote: »

That was my reaction too.

Apparently she doesn't like giving vaccines to pregnant women. I had planned to change anyway as I haven't been happy with the practice in a while but this has more then cemented my decision.

I would also move if that was me! My doc is the opposite. He spoke at length about the benefits of it and the antibodies you pass onto your baby. I wonder do boots do the vaccine? The do flu jabs so it might be worth inquiring?

s4uv3

Lucyfur wrote: »

I would also move if that was me! My doc is the opposite. He spoke at length about the benefits of it and the antibodies you pass onto your baby. I wonder do boots do the vaccine? The do flu jabs so it might be worth inquiring?

Nope, flu jab only in pharmacies at the min.
Phoenix I'd say your best bet now is to ask the hosp to do it as you've done already. Bad form of your gp to just refuse it like that

PhoenixParker

I've actually just written a letter to the HSE asking them to investigate.
No way that a practice should be receiving money for maternity visits and not offering the basic vaccines.

stickybean

Do you have to notify your GP in advance of going to see them? Or do they have a stock of the vaccine there?

s4uv3

stickybean wrote: »

Do you have to notify your GP in advance of going to see them? Or do they have a stock of the vaccine there?

I'd say some gp's have a stock, but you're probably best off to phone ahead just to make sure they have one for you

LirW

Another question: I had my shots refreshed around a year ago, it was a combinated vaccine including whooping cough. (Wasn't in Ireland)
Does that mean I'd be better off doing it again when the time comes?
Sorry it just got me confused because where I come from they don't vaccinate pregnant women unless there are severe cases of flu or rubella in your close environment.

Gatica

I got given the whooping cough, flu and some other vaccine leaflets at the booking visit.
On my subsequent GP visit she'd a serious chat with me saying that currently the whooping cough vaccine's being "pushed"/recommended to pregnant women because it's recently made a come back and can be fatal to babies. It's administered after week 32 (I think, if I remember correctly, so I'll be getting it on my next visit there) for each pregnancy as immunity is not passed otherwise between pregnancies.
Check with your doc, but that's the info I got. Whether baby's protected if you've had vaccine before pregnancy, I dunno, but it seemed to me like it's gotta be given at that stage of pregnancy to protect the baby in that pregnancy for their first 3 months of life before they get their own vaccines, but that's just my take on what she said. Like I said, check with your own gp or hospital.

Merkin

Quick question ladies. For my first pregnancy I lived in the UK so I'm not sure of process here. On this pregnancy I'm attending Holles Street as a private patient. Do I pay my GP for the whooping cough vaccine or is it given as standard and is it free like immunisations? And what about flu vaccine in pregnancy? Thanks in advance.

pooch90

You are meant to get both flu and WC, you have to pay for both. Think the flu was €25, not sure about WC think about the same.

Bunnyslippers

I had my whooping cough last week at my GTT and it was free, they reccomend it from 28 weeks onwards I think. I'm not bothering with the flu vac as I've never had it, as it only vaccinates you against a few strains when there are tons out there, so no point imo and my GP isn't pushing it either, but is advising strongly for WC as there have been a lot of cases recently, I remeber getting it as a 3yr old and it was really bad so can't imagine a baby getting it!

mickoneill31

Wc was €20 at our local Gp.
So far our little one has had her 2 month vaccination which was free.

PhoenixParker

The vaccine itself should be free but they can charge you for the administration of it:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/adult/pertussis/pertussisfact.pdf

fits

I have had flu twice in the last five years. Once really bad. Im probably fairly immune now as a result but I really wouldnt want to get it during pregnancy.

Merkin

Merkin wrote: »

Quick question ladies. For my first pregnancy I lived in the UK so I'm not sure of process here. On this pregnancy I'm attending Holles Street as a private patient. Do I pay my GP for the whooping cough vaccine or is it given as standard and is it free like immunisations? And what about flu vaccine in pregnancy? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for all the replies. I don't think I was very clear in my OP. There's no question, I'll definitely be getting the whooping cough jab and the flu jab but was just wondering where I get them/how much they cost. Seems like it's from the GP and then price is variable, thanks for help!

unichick

Hi girls, had the flu jab last Thurs in my GPs and talked about the whooping cough one. The nurse said I may not have to get it again as DD will be 3 in Dec & I had enough immunisation from that one but on the leaflet I read afterwards it said to get it on every pregnancy. Any advice?

coffeyt

My youngest is 9 months and oldest is just turned 2, so sixteen months between them and I was advised to get the wc vaccine on second pregnancy also as gp advised it does not carry between pregnancies.

stickybean

Getting mine this afternoon, is the arm pain bad? Would I be best to get it in my non dominant arm?

coffeyt

I found my arm felt heavy afterwards around the site of the vaccine more so than sore if that makes sense, would not say it was painful at all.

Gatica

Maybe get a second opinion as my GP advised that you need to get a new vaccine with every pregnancy for the baby to be immunised.

pooch90

I found the pain after WC really bad for about 3 days afterwards. No hassle with the flu one.

January

Gatica wrote: »

Maybe get a second opinion as my GP advised that you need to get a new vaccine with every pregnancy for the baby to be immunised.

This is correct, immunity is passed to the baby through the vaccine so it is protected from birth. So you need to be given the vaccine in each pregnancy to pass immunity to each baby.

Gatica

PS: Here's the HSE guideline on Whopping cough.
http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/pregvaccs/

unichick, unfortunately, it doesn't sound like your nurse at GP was well informed.

stickybean

I got mine yesterday, the nurse was very nice, but had zero information on the vaccine, I asked for a pamphlet after , she said they never got them. They also were not sure on the charge as not many people had taken it up... they charged me €15 which they said was standard for administrating...

Arm is a little sore this morning, but other than that no symptoms at all. They tried to talk me into the flu vaccine, which I declined.

fits

stickybean wrote: »

They tried to talk me into the flu vaccine, which I declined.

Can I ask why you declined it? Just interested. I've had flu twice in last four years, so am probably quite immune, but at the same time there is absolutely no way I would want to catch it during pregnancy or afterwards. Its absolutely debilitating.

angeldelight

I personally know of two women who went into premature labour because they contracted the flu in their third trimester. One of the babies was very small and had to spend her first 48 hours in NICU and her mother couldn't visit her as she could have passed on the infection. I got it and will again in any future pregnancies

stickybean

fits wrote: »

Can I ask why you declined it? Just interested. I've had flu twice in last four years, so am probably quite immune, but at the same time there is absolutely no way I would want to catch it during pregnancy or afterwards. Its absolutely debilitating.

For me, I have never got it before. My dad (who is never ever sick) got it the last two years and was out sick for two weeks each time following it. It was more a personal thing for me... Also the nurse told me it only protects against the 3 most common strains and not all...

angeldelight

stickybean wrote: »

For me, I have never got it before. My dad (who is never ever sick) got it the last two years and was out sick for two weeks each time following it. It was more a personal thing for me... Also the nurse told me it only protects against the 3 most common strains and not all...

It's obviously your choice, just so you know not only is it more dangerous to catch the flu when you're pregnant for many reasons but you are more at risk of catching it. Pregnant women's immune systems are decreased naturally in pregnancy so you are much more at risk of catching something like the flu

fits

For me I feel that I am due coming into peak flu season. And it is quite likely the virus will be present in the hospital at that time of year also. For the pster who mentioned the premature deliveries, it must be horrendous while in the throes of flu. I was so so weak when I had it.

January

Pamphlet is available on the HSE website.