As you prepare for a healthy pregnancy, you may be wondering about vaccinations--is there a special procedure or schedule?
If you are up to date on your vaccines, you likely don’t need to worry about immunization specifically for pregnancy. But if you haven’t had all your doctor-recommended vaccines, or if you are traveling somewhere with a high risk of a certain viral disease, it’s a good idea to get those shots before becoming pregnant.
Which vaccines should I seriously consider before pregnancy?
The MMR (rubella) vaccine is very important, as rubella is highly contagious and can cause birth defects or miscarriage. The CDC recommends getting your MMR vaccine at least a month before becoming pregnant, as well as getting a blood test to confirm immunity [1].
Chickenpox is also dangerous during pregnancy. Infection, especially in the first trimester, can damage baby’s eyes or muscle tissue, as well as lead to neurological disorders [2]. If you have never been vaccinated for chickenpox, it is strongly recommended you do so.
I’m already pregnant. Can I get vaccinated?
We have no solid research that shows MMR and chickenpox vaccines negatively impact pregnancy [2], but most doctors would still rather avoid the risk. Vaccination is best done at the planning stage, one to three months before you expect to become pregnant [3]. Even if you don’t become pregnant right away, the immunization will protect you for many years.
Do the expectant mama’s antibodies get passed along to baby?
Yes! Once mama is vaccinated, baby gets the benefit of her antibodies for a good while until he can also get vaccinated [3].
Should you get a flu shot before pregnancy?
Flu shots are seasonal, so get it (early) if it’s flu season in your area. An inactivated influenza vaccine cannot hurt you or the baby.
