Planning a Baby? Get These 5 Vaccines First

Parang Mehta.

Pregnancy is the best of times; it is the most delicate of times.

When planning a baby, you should give thought to protecting yourself against diseases that harm your baby and you.

Mother Nature reduces your body's natural immunity at this time. This protects the small human inside you from being attacked by your immune system.

Reduced immunity makes you susceptible to infections, of course. Some infections are doubly dangerous - they make you ill, and also affect the baby.

What Diseases are Dangerous in Pregnancy?

Several diseases are dangerous during pregnancy. Some cause abortions or premature birth. Others are associated with birth anomalies.

Several of them, like chlamydia, cytomegalovirus, syphilis, toxoplasma, and HIV, have no vaccine available as yet. All we can do is general measures to avoid infections.

But some diseases which caused enormous numbers of babies to be stillborn, or born with defects, can now be prevented by vaccination. Sadly, some babies are still suffering. Lack of knowledge is a common reason for this unfortunate situation. It's important to know the vaccines available and recommended.

 

What Vaccines Before Pregnancy?

Some vaccines are taken during pregnancy; the tetanus shot is one such. However, some vaccines must be taken before you actually get pregnant.

Two possible reasons:

Some vaccines consist of live organisms. You should never take these during pregnancy. These vaccines are:

Infectious Diseases For Which Pre-pregnancy Vaccines Are Recommended

  1. Rubella
  2. Hepatitis B
  3. Hepatitis A
  4. Chickenpox
  5. Influenza

Rubella (German measles).

This is one of the most dangerous diseases in pregnancy. Rubella itself is very mild, but the virus crosses the placenta and affects the baby.

The rubella vaccine is given primarily to prevent CRS. Rubella itself is an insignificant disease.

The earlier in pregnancy this happens, the worse it is for the baby. Rubella in pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, fetal death, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

CRS consists of multiple defects, particularly to the heart, brain, eyes, and ears. Before the rubella vaccine, CRS was a common cause of mental retardation, deafness, and visual disability.

The vaccine is available by itself, combined with the measles vaccine (MR vaccine) and the MMR vaccine (includes mumps vaccine).

This vaccine is a live virus, and you must have it before getting pregnant.

Hepatitis B

Five viruses primarily affect the liver and are named the hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses. All of them cause acute hepatitis. The B, C, and D types can also cause chronic hepatitis, leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

If children over five years, or adults, get the infection, only about 5% will have these long term problems. If babies get this infection in the womb or at birth, long term problems are very likely. Most hepatitis B liver disease seen in adulthood is acquired during early childhood or from the mother before or during birth.

That's why it's important to ensure you don't get hepatitis B during pregnancy.

If you've not had the vaccine before, you should talk to your doctor about it. A blood test will show if you are currently uninfected and eligible for vaccination.

The hepatitis B vaccine needs three doses spread over six months, so you should take the series before pregnancy.

Hepatitis A

Unlike hepatitis B, this virus doesn't cause long term liver disease, and severe liver disease is also uncommon. However, infection during pregnancy can cause placental separation, premature birth, or premature rupture of membranes. The baby may have fetal ascites and meconium peritonitis.

Hepatitis A itself is rare in developed countries, and so are its complications. Unlike hepatitis B, this virus rarely infects the baby.

Hepatitis A is a concern if you:

Two types of hepatitis A vaccines are available, live and inactivated. The inactivated hepatitis A vaccine is safe during pregnancy. Two doses, six months apart, are needed, so you should take the series when planning a pregnancy.

Chicken Pox

Also known as varicella, this is an exceptionally infectious disease. If you get it during your pregnancy, it's bad for the baby. Premature delivery happens sometimes; low birth weight is common. The serious conditions associated with chickenpox in pregnancy are:

The congenital varicella syndrome includes defects of the skin, brain, limbs, bowel, eyes, intestines, urinary system, and heart. About 30% of these unfortunate babies die in the first few months. Herpes zoster, developmental delay, and learning disabilities are common.

Most people today are immune to chickenpox by having had the disease or the vaccine.

If you've not had either (if you're not sure, ask your parents), consider getting at least one dose of the varicella vaccine before pregnancy. This is a live viral vaccine, and you must not take it during pregnancy.

Influenza (the flu)

This disease is always dangerous and is more so during pregnancy. If you're planning a baby, it is best to protect yourself. This vaccine has to be taken annually before the flu transmission season in your region. This could be during your pregnancy or before it.

The inactivated flu vaccine is safe in pregnancy. The LAIV (the live influenza vaccine) is not given during pregnancy.

And One to Not Take Before Pregnancy

Pertussis. This is a vaccine sometimes advised before pregnancy.

Also called whooping cough, this disease is dangerous in newborns and young babies. It can cause pneumonia, bleeding into the brain, and feeding difficulties. Deaths are frequent.

If you get the vaccine, your immune system will make antibodies. These antibodies will pass through the placenta to your baby, giving her protection when she needs it most.

Some authorities recommend it before pregnancy. Unfortunately, this vaccine's effect is short-lived. Your antibodies may have declined to low levels by the time you get pregnant.

It is best to get the pertussis vaccine during late pregnancy so that baby is born with adequate levels of antibodies.

Are Vaccines Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes, most vaccines are.
Bacterial vaccines are generally safe.
Killed/inactivated vaccines are safe.
Vaccines that have only components of the disease-causing organisms are safe. The tetanus toxoid and the acellular pertussis vaccines are such vaccines.

Live viral vaccines are made by weakening the disease-causing virus. These viruses set up an infection and stimulate your immune system, without causing significant illness.

These live vaccines should not be given during pregnancy, as the viruses can cross the placenta and infect the baby.

Vaccination during pregnancy is very safe. Some vaccines are not suitable for use in pregnancy, but your doctor knows about them. If your doctor recommends a vaccine, you can be sure it is safe for you and the little human inside you.

 

Last Revision: Oct 21, 2020