When you become pregnant, your doctor may recommend or offer the Tdap vaccination. The vaccine’s purpose is to prevent tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) – all diseases caused by bacteria. Although you will reap all the benefits of the vaccine, the most important for you as an expecting mother is the prevention of pertussis.
What is the Tdap Vaccine?
The Tdap vaccine is a combination vaccination that protects against three serious bacterial infections: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. This single shot provides immunity against all three diseases and is specifically formulated to be safe for pregnant women and their developing babies.
Understanding the Three Diseases
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells that have the potential to result in difficulty breathing, disturbed sleep, and vomiting. Dangerous cases can even cause weight loss, fractures of the ribs, and hospitalization due to pneumonia, which has the potential to lead to death.
Tetanus (Lockjaw) affects the nervous system and causes painful muscle contractions, particularly in the jaw and neck muscles. It can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Diphtheria creates a thick coating in the back of the throat that can make it difficult to breathe and swallow, potentially leading to heart failure and paralysis.
Why is the Tdap Vaccine Essential During Pregnancy?
Even if you have had a dose of Tdap before, you should receive one each time you are pregnant to prevent the risk of your newborn baby contracting pertussis. Pertussis is spread easily through coughing and/or sneezing and is highly contagious. Infants are most at risk of experiencing the severe symptoms of pertussis, and the prevention starts with the person the baby will be most in contact with—you.
When you receive the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, your body produces antibodies that pass through the placenta to your baby. This provides your newborn with temporary immunity during their most vulnerable months, before they can begin their own vaccination series at 2 months of age.
Proving its effectiveness, since the vaccination’s debut in 2005, the number of cases of pertussis has decreased by 80%. The vaccine is safe and highly recommended by credible organizations, including the CDC, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine.
When Should You Get the Tdap Vaccine?
Usually, we recommend receiving Tdap during the third trimester, or at least 20 weeks into your pregnancy, but if you do not get Tdap during your pregnancy, it is not too late to protect you and your baby. You may still get the vaccine after the baby is born, and you should do so as soon as possible.
The ideal window for receiving the Tdap vaccine is between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. This timing allows your body enough time to develop antibodies and pass the highest levels of protection to your baby through the placenta.
What If You Miss the Window?
If you didn’t receive the vaccine during pregnancy, getting vaccinated immediately after delivery is still beneficial. While your baby won’t receive the same level of passive immunity, you’ll be protected from these diseases and less likely to transmit them to your infant.
Safety and Side Effects of the Tdap Vaccine
The Tdap vaccine has an excellent safety profile for pregnant women. Most side effects are mild and temporary, including soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or fatigue. Serious adverse reactions are extremely rare.
Who Should Not Receive the Tdap Vaccine?
Although opting to receive the vaccine is the best decision for you and your baby, there are people who should not be vaccinated. If you have ever received Tdap or any other vaccine containing tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis and experienced a severe allergic reaction, or if you experienced seizures or coma after receiving a dose of DTP, DTaP, or Tdap, the vaccine is not for you, and you should inform your doctor of these past episodes.
Getting Your Tdap Vaccine at Columbus OB-GYN
Here at Columbus OB-GYN, we highly recommend receiving the vaccination during your pregnancy. We will always have plenty of Tdap stocked in our offices for your convenience. Ask your doctor about the right time for you to receive your vaccine, as well as any other questions you might have regarding Tdap.
When you come in for your Tdap vaccination, your healthcare provider will review your medical history and confirm that you’re a good candidate for the vaccine. The injection is quick and typically administered in your upper arm. You’ll be monitored briefly after receiving the vaccine to ensure you don’t experience any immediate reactions.
Remember that protection extends beyond just you and your baby. Encourage your partner, grandparents, and anyone who will have close contact with your newborn to ensure their Tdap vaccinations are up to date as well. This creates a protective cocoon around your vulnerable infant.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tdap Vaccine
What is the Tdap vaccine for?
The Tdap vaccine protects against three serious bacterial diseases: tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). For pregnant women, the primary benefit is preventing whooping cough in newborns.
How often is a Tdap shot needed?
You should receive the Tdap vaccine with every pregnancy, ideally between 27-36 weeks. Outside of pregnancy, adults need a Tdap booster every 10 years.
Is the Tdap vaccine really necessary?
Yes, the Tdap vaccine is essential during pregnancy. It protects your newborn from whooping cough during their most vulnerable first months of life before they can receive their own vaccinations at 2 months old.
Is a tetanus shot the same as Tdap?
No, a tetanus shot (Td) only protects against tetanus and diphtheria, while Tdap includes protection against pertussis (whooping cough) as well. Pregnant women specifically need Tdap, not just the tetanus shot, to protect their babies from whooping cough.
Any further questions you may have about getting vaccinated for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis can be answered by your doctor at your next appointment. Take the proper steps to protect yourself and your baby from these diseases, and inquire about Tdap today.