Vaccines Recommended During Pregnancy and Postpartum

At Moreland OB-GYN, the health and well-being of you and your baby are our top priorities. One essential aspect of prenatal and postpartum care is ensuring you receive the recommended vaccines to protect you and your newborn. Vaccines play a crucial role in preventing serious illnesses and ensuring a healthy start for your family.

Below are vaccines recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) during pregnancy and postpartum. 

Flu Vaccine

During pregnancy, your immune system is focused on protecting your baby, making you more susceptible to common viruses, colds, and the flu (influenza). It's important to note that influenza is a respiratory illness different from the "stomach flu," which involves nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The flu can pose significant risks during pregnancy. Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs increase the likelihood of severe flu-related complications for pregnant women. Contracting the flu while pregnant often leads to a more severe case and may cause problems with the pregnancy. Complications may include premature labor, smaller-than-expected babies, hospitalization, and, although rare, death.

The CDC states it’s safe and very important for a woman who is pregnant to receive the inactivated flu vaccine (also called the flu shot) and recommends getting the flu shot in the fall before the flu season begins. However, pregnant women can receive the flu shot anytime during any trimester. The flu season varies yearly, but it has been known to start as early as October, peak in the winter months between December and February, and then may continue as late as May.

In addition, because babies younger than six months are too young to receive the flu vaccine, it is important that everyone who cares for your baby also gets a flu vaccine. You should continue to get a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting yourself and your family against the flu.

*** Moreland OB-GYN only offers the flu shot to pregnant and postpartum patients. 

Whooping Cough (Tdap) Vaccine

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap), also known as whooping cough, can be dangerous for infants, and newborns are at the highest risk of severe complications. Whooping cough is caused by bacteria that spread quickly from person to person through personal contact, coughing, and sneezing. It can be very serious for babies and even cause them to stop breathing, according to the CDC. 

Whooping cough is among the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks—to protect themselves and their babies. 

Here at Moreland OB-GYN, we recommend you receive a Tdap vaccine around 28 weeks, even if your pregnancies are close together. By giving the vaccine near the end of each pregnancy, we hope to pass whooping cough immunity onto your baby before birth and provide coverage until they begin receiving their vaccines.

In addition, infants’ family members and caregivers (like babysitters or grandparents) should also get vaccinated.

*** Moreland OB-GYN only offers the Tdap vaccine to pregnant and postpartum patients.

RSV Vaccine 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms, although infants are more likely to develop severe symptoms. In fact, RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the United States. 

The ACOG and the CDC recommend the RSV vaccine be given to pregnant women during RSV season (September – January) between 32-36 weeks gestation. While multiple RSV vaccines are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the brand Abrysvo is the only RSV vaccine approved for use during pregnancy.

*** Moreland OB-GYN does not currently offer the RSV vaccine, but you can contact your local retail pharmacy for availability. 

COVID-19 Vaccine

Pregnancy puts you at a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, and getting sick with COVID-19 during pregnancy puts you at a greater risk of complications. The CDC and ACOG state the COVID-19 vaccine can be given at any time during pregnancy and at the same time as other vaccines.

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccination before and during pregnancy is safe, effective, and beneficial to both pregnant women and babies. According to the CDC, the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
 
*** Moreland OB-GYN does not offer the COVID-19 vaccine, but you can contact your local retail pharmacy for availability.

At Moreland OB-GYN, our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to ensure the health and safety of you and your baby. If you have any questions or concerns about vaccines during pregnancy or postpartum, don't hesitate to reach out to our experienced healthcare professionals.

Remember, vaccination is a crucial step in safeguarding the well-being of both you and your little one. Call us today at 262-544-4411 or request an appointment online!