TDAP Vaccine During Pregnancy – 8 Essential Pros And Cons

The TDAP vaccine, which stands for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis, is routinely recommended for pregnant women to protect both the mother and baby from serious illnesses.

However, like any medical intervention, there are both potential benefits and drawbacks to receiving this vaccine during pregnancy.

In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of TDAP vaccination for expectant mothers, to help you make an informed decision about whether or not to get vaccinated.

TDAP Vaccine During Pregnancy

The Tdap vaccine is an important tool for pregnant women to protect themselves and their unborn children from serious infections. Administered between weeks 27 and 36 of pregnancy, the vaccine stimulates the body to produce antibodies that can pass through the placenta and safeguard the developing fetus for the first two months of life. Without these antibodies, infants are at risk of developing potentially life-threatening infections. However, the decision to get a vaccine during pregnancy can be a complex one, as there are both pros and cons to consider. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, helping you make an informed decision about your health and the health of your baby.

Is The TDAP Vaccine Safe?

It is a common misconception that Tdap vaccines can cause the infections that they are designed to protect against, but this is not true. The Tdap vaccine is completely safe to receive during pregnancy and is effective in preventing serious illnesses such as diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. While some minor side effects like discomfort at the injection site, redness, body aches, headaches, low fever, nausea, chills, and fatigue may occur, serious adverse reactions like fainting, excruciating pain, and bleeding are extremely rare. It is important to note that the vaccine cannot cause the infections it should prevent, making it a safe and effective choice for pregnant women.

How Does TDAP Vaccine Protect Newborns?

When you receive the Tdap vaccination during pregnancy, your body generates antibodies that help fight the disease. These antibodies are then passed on to your unborn child, providing them with protection against the disease for the first few months of their life until they can receive their vaccinations. In addition to protecting your child, getting a vaccine while pregnant can also decrease your chances of getting an infection when your unborn child is most vulnerable.

Pros Of Taking The TDAP Vaccine During Pregnancy

Your body produces antibodies to combat the disease when you receive a vaccination while pregnant, and those antibodies are transmitted to your unborn child.

After your baby is born, the antibodies will help protect them until they can receive vaccinations on their own. Getting Tdap while pregnant also reduces your risk of developing infections when your unborn child is most at risk.

Infections that the Tdap vaccine protects against are;

1. Tetanus

Tetanus, also referred to as “lockjaw,” is a bacterial infection brought on by a puncture or deep cut. The respiratory muscles may become paralyzed as a result of tetanus. Tetanus can occasionally result in death.

Although extremely rare as a result of vaccinations, it causes the face and neck muscles to contract, making it challenging for people to open their lips or even breathe.

Even those receiving top-notch medical care may succumb to the virus, and die.

2. Diphtheria

Diphtheria makes breathing difficult by causing a thick coating to develop on the back of the throat. Although it can lead to heart failure and paralysis, vaccines have made it rare.

One in five children under the age of five who contract diphtheria pass away.

3. Pertussis(whooping cough)

Pertussis, known as whooping cough, can result in severe coughing fits, vomiting, breathing issues, trouble falling asleep, and sometimes even death.

Your unborn child will be protected against this potentially fatal condition by the vaccine, which can occur in infants before they are old enough to receive the Tdap vaccine starting at 2 months of age.

The whooping cough vaccine is quite successful at preventing whooping cough in the first few weeks after birth in pregnant women.

Your baby will receive passive immunity from the vaccine through the placenta until they are old enough to receive a standard vaccination against whooping cough at 8 weeks of age.

However, because the vaccine does not provide long-lasting protection, pertussis is still a fairly widespread disease. Pregnant women should have the Tdap vaccine every pregnancy because of this.

Since there isn’t a whooping cough vaccination exclusively, you will also receive protection from polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

Other Pros of taking TDAP during pregnancy include;

Tdap vaccines can shield against life-threatening conditions like hepatitis, rubella, CMV, herpes, Menzies disease, and relapsing fever.

Additionally, this vaccination helps lessen the likelihood of congenital disorders.

It is also one of the newest and is regarded as a contemporary safety measure. The fact that getting the TDAP vaccine while pregnant has no negative effects on the unborn child is one of its key advantages.

Cons Of Taking The TDAP Vaccine During Pregnancy

The Tdap vaccine is no different from other vaccines being that it carries a small risk of side effects. Thankfully, the common side effects of taking the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy are normally mild and go away on their own

They are;

• At the injection site, there is erythema, swelling, pain, and tenderness.

• Bodyache

• Fatigue

• Fever

Sometimes, within a few minutes to a few hours of vaccination, there may be allergic reaction symptoms, such as hives, facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulties, a rapid heartbeat, and lightheadedness.

Consult a doctor if you experience any of these serious side effects after taking the Tdap vaccine.

How Often Should Pregnant Women Take TDAP?

EACH pregnancy must include one Tdap dose for pregnant women. Tdap vaccine only needs to be administered once in a lifetime to adults who are not pregnant. Every ten years, individuals should have a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster shot.

Can I Take TDAP After Delivery?

Receiving a vaccination after giving birth prevents you from passing on protective antibodies to your unborn child. The best way to prevent infections in both you and your unborn child is through vaccination during pregnancy.

Your baby, who is most susceptible to the major complications of the condition, does not receive immunity from postpartum Tdap treatment.

The danger of pertussis transmission to infants from family members, such as siblings, grandparents, and other caregivers, is still present.

The woman is still in danger of contracting pertussis and passing it on to her newborn infant during the first two weeks after receiving the Tdap vaccine, which takes roughly two weeks.

Can I Take TDAP While Breastfeeding?

Receiving the Tdap vaccine does not conflict with breastfeeding; in fact, it is completely compatible. Women who intend to breastfeed during pregnancy can and should receive the Tdap vaccine.

I just had my Tdap shot. How much time should pass before I become pregnant?

How Long Can I Wait To Get Pregnant After Taking A TDAP Shot?

The Tdap vaccine doesn’t have a suggested waiting period. The vaccination is available to expectant mothers at any point in the pregnancy.

How Soon Can Babies Be Vaccinated After Birth?

Receiving the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy provides the first line of defense for your baby against whooping cough. While this protection wears off, your baby will need to receive vaccinations starting at 2 months of age. These initial vaccinations consist of three doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months, followed by additional doses throughout childhood and into adulthood.

One common concern about the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy is whether it increases the risk of birth defects. However, the initial probability of birth defects occurring in any pregnancy is 3-5%, known as the “background risk.” Vaccines against non-infectious diseases, such as tetanus and diphtheria, do not increase this risk.

Another concern is whether the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy may impact the child’s behavior or ability to learn. While no studies have been conducted specifically on Tdap vaccination during pregnancy and its effects on behavior or learning, there is no evidence that any vaccine administered during pregnancy has resulted in behavioral or academic problems in children.

Vaccines That Are Not Safe For Pregnant Women

When it comes to vaccinations during pregnancy, the safety of both the mother and the unborn child is a top priority. While the Tdap vaccine is highly recommended for pregnant women, some vaccines are not suitable for them or their babies. Live vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine, use a live version of the virus, and pregnant women are advised to wait until after their baby is born before getting vaccinated with these types of vaccines.

This is because there is a small chance that live vaccinations could result in infection of the unborn child. However, there is no evidence that any live vaccine causes birth defects. If the risk of infection outweighs the risk of the vaccine, a live vaccine may be given during pregnancy. Your midwife, doctor, or pharmacist can provide you with more information on vaccinations during pregnancy. Examples of live vaccines include BCG (vaccination against tuberculosis), MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), oral polio (which is part of the 5-in-1 vaccine given to infants), and oral typhoid.

Where To Get TDAP Vaccine?

The best place to receive the Tdap vaccine is your local health clinic, pediatricians, and family physicians. The vaccines might also be available in pharmacies close to you, workplaces, health department’s even medical outreach in schools and religious centers. 

Before taking any vaccination, make sure your doctor is aware of and approves it.

Takeaway

Despite the possibility of minor side effects, the benefits of getting the Tdap vaccine outweigh any potential risks. It is essential for safeguarding your health as well as the health of young children. It is recommended to maintain regular contact with your healthcare provider to ensure that your Tdap vaccinations are up-to-date and effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can A TDAP Shot Cause Miscarriage?

Any pregnancy can end in miscarriage. The probability of miscarriage is not increased by the Tdap immunization.

Can I Take TDAP During Pregnancy If I Have Taken A Shot?

Yes, you should have the vaccine once more during the third trimester of every pregnancy, even if you already had it before becoming pregnant.

Don’t worry if you have concerns about the Tdap vaccine’s safety during pregnancy. It’s a clever and safe method to shield your child from the whooping cough risk when she’s most susceptible. 

Consult your doctor about becoming vaccinated.

Why Whooping Cough Is Serious In Babies?

Whooping cough is a severe and highly contagious illness that can lead to pneumonia and brain damage, particularly in newborn babies. In most cases, newborns with whooping cough require hospitalization, and in the most severe cases, they may not survive.

Newborns are at the greatest risk of death related to whooping cough. Since 2010, the number of reported whooping cough cases in the United States has ranged from 15,000 to 50,000 per year, and up to 20 infant deaths have been associated with the illness.

Thanks to widespread vaccination, the incidence of these three diseases has significantly decreased in the US. Before the Tdap vaccine became available, 200,000 people contracted pertussis, and hundreds developed tetanus and diphtheria each year.

Getting the whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy is the only way to help protect your baby from contracting the disease in the first few weeks of life. Regular communication with your healthcare provider is essential to ensure that your Tdap vaccinations are up-to-date and effective.