The Untold Truth Of Vaccines

When you're pregnant, there is a lot on your mind. Should we find out the gender? Will I return to work? Where did I put my keys? One more thing to add to that black hole of pregnancy brain is making sure you get the right vaccines — and avoid the wrong ones.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has stated that it is important for both the mother and the baby to be immunized. "Benefits of vaccinating pregnant women usually outweigh potential risks when the likelihood of disease exposure is high, when infection would pose a risk to the mother or fetus, and when the vaccine is unlikely to cause harm," they stated in a report. For example, it's recommended that pregnant women receive a dose of the TDap vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) because it will help protect the baby from those diseases.

Some vaccines, like measles mumps rubella (MMR) and chickenpox (Varicella) contain tiny doses of live virus, so they should be avoided during pregnancy. Even if you're not pregnant yet, let the nurse know that you are currently trying to conceive if you're receiving a vaccine. Once you have the baby, you'll be safe to get those ones again if you need a booster.