Pregnancy can be a confusing and sometimes intimidating experience for expectant moms. With all the things to keep in mind throughout your pregnancy journey – from doctor’s visits to diet changes – it’s easy to become anxious about missing out on important considerations.
One issue that’s particularly relevant for pregnant women is vaccinations: even though routine immunizations are critically important when you have a baby, many expecting mothers may not realize just how essential they are during pregnancy. This blog post will give you the facts on why pregnancy vaccination in Singapore is such an important thing to do – so read on!
What Vaccines are Important for Pregnancy?
One of the most common questions we get from women who visit our clinic is; should I vaccinate during pregnancy? The most straightforward answer is; yes, but there are vaccines that are recommended specifically during pregnancy and, of course, those that you should avoid.
Now, vaccinations are an important part of our health, especially during pregnancy. Many immunizations can protect both mom and baby against deadly diseases. Pregnant women should receive two important vaccines: the Flu vaccine and the Tdap vaccine.
The Flu vaccine helps to prevent influenza during the flu season, which can be a serious illness for both mother and baby. It is recommended for all pregnant women to get the Flu vaccine no matter what trimester of pregnancy they’re in.
This will help protect you and your unborn baby from contracting the virus. Another important vaccination that expecting mothers should receive is the Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, or whooping cough).
This shot helps protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough), all of which can be deadly. The earlier a woman gets this shot while pregnant, the better it will be able to provide protection for her baby since it passes through the placenta soon after birth and provides additional protection as well as a jumpstart on vaccinations for the newborn.
Getting these vaccinations while pregnant is essential because they keep the mother healthy and ensure the unborn baby has the best chance of being born healthy. Vaccines are one of the most effective methods we have in preventing infectious diseases, so if you are expecting, ensure you get these two vaccines as soon as possible.
And as we earlier mentioned above, there are specific vaccines you shouldn’t receive during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or midwife before receiving other vaccinations, and ensure you’re up to date on the immunizations suggested for pregnant women. Just so you’re in the know, here is a brief overview of which vaccines should not be received during pregnancy.
- The HPV Vaccine: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women. This vaccine is designed to build immunity to the virus, which can cause cervical cancer. However, as the safety of HPV vaccines during pregnancy has not been thoroughly researched, they are not recommended for use in this condition.
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: The MMR vaccine is an active immunization containing a weakened form of living viruses. Because live vaccines may not be suitable during pregnancy, they are usually not recommended for expecting mothers.
- Live Influenza Vaccine (Nasal Flu Vaccine): This vaccine may also cause complications during pregnancy since it contains live viruses. For this reason, it is best to wait until the postpartum period before getting the nasal flu shot or opt for the injection instead if expecting during influenza season.
- Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine: This is another vaccine that poses similar risks as other live vaccines due to containing weakened versions of live viruses and should, therefore, only be administered after delivery. Women who are not immunized against chickenpox should receive the vaccine once they have given birth.
- Certain Travel Vaccinations, such as Yellow Fever, Typhoid Fever, and Japanese Encephalitis: These must also be avoided entirely during pregnancy since they may pose unexpected risks for both the mom-to-be and her unborn baby. However, some of these may still be necessary once a woman has given birth and she is ready for foreign travel again.
Being aware of which vaccines should be avoided if you’re expecting is a very important precautionary step for any pregnant woman looking out for her health and her baby’s as well!
What are the Risks of Ignoring Pregnancy Vaccination?
Vaccines are an important part of keeping both mother and baby healthy. Not getting the recommended vaccinations can put both mother and baby at risk of developing serious illnesses. Some of the risks associated with ignoring pregnancy vaccinations include the following:
1. An increased risk of contracting serious diseases such as Influenza, Whooping Cough, Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis
Usually, pregnant women are more likely to suffer from diseases due to changes in their immune system. Getting the recommended vaccinations can help protect the mother and her baby from these potentially dangerous illnesses.
2. An increased risk of premature labor or having a low birth weight baby
Not getting the recommended vaccinations may put both mother and baby at risk for early or late delivery and having a low birth weight baby. This is especially true for vaccines like the Tdap, which can help protect against Whooping Cough and Influenza.
3. An increased risk of infection in the newborn
Newborns are especially vulnerable to infections as their immune systems aren’t developed enough to fight off diseases. Ensuring both mother and baby receive the recommended vaccinations will help protect them from potentially dangerous infections.
4. An increased risk of congenital disabilities
Some vaccines, such as the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, can protect against birth defects and neurological disorders. Ignoring recommended vaccinations could put the baby at risk of developing these issues.
Closing Thoughts
Vaccinations play an important role for pregnant women in ensuring their health and that of their unborn babies. It is essential that pregnant women understand which vaccinations are safe to receive and which ones should be avoided or postponed until after delivery so both mother and baby can stay safe and healthy.
Our team of experienced obstetricians and midwives is here to help answer any questions that you may have about vaccinations during pregnancy. Please get in touch with us today so we can provide the necessary guidance and support for maintaining your health during this important time in your life.
Dr Ma Li Clinic for Women & Advanced Pelvic Surgery – Gynaecologist in Singapore
3 Mount Elizabeth, #09-08 Medical Centre,
Singapore 228510
+65 6022 0933
+65 8389 9933
