To keep the coming baby and their own health healthy, women have to take full care of eating and drinking during pregnancy. Also, some important precautions have to be taken. For this, they have to undergo some tests every week and month and take some necessary medicines. Apart from this, pregnant women have to get many types of vaccines. This is because the immune system becomes weak during pregnancy, which makes the body more sensitive to infections and other health problems.
These vaccines not only protect the mother but also protect the baby from problems in the womb and the future. Today we are telling you about 3 such vaccines, which every woman must get during pregnancy. Dr. Sheeba Mittal of Well Women Clinic is telling us about them.
Experts say, “Vaccination during pregnancy is an easy and effective way to protect mother and child from infection. It protects the fetus and later the infant by transferring antibodies from the mother to the fetus. That's why vaccination is so important during pregnancy. There are 3 vaccines that every woman must get during pregnancy.
1. TT Vaccine
This vaccine should be administered after the first trimester of pregnancy. To protect the mother and baby from tetanus infection during pregnancy, TT i.e. tetanus toxoid vaccine is administered. Tetanus is a life-threatening disease and the risk of infection increases during pregnancy. But it can be easily avoided with the TT vaccine.
This infection is caused by coming in contact with the tetanus bacteria. These bacteria are found in soil, saliva, dust and manure, which enter the body through open wounds. When vaccination is taken during pregnancy, then it also benefits the fetus. This not only keeps the baby safe in the womb but also remains safe for some time after birth.
2. TT or Tdap vaccine
After 4 weeks of the first vaccine, you either get the second dose of the TT vaccine or the Tdap vaccine. It has to be done between 27 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
This vaccine is important because it protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough, also known as pertussis. This is an infection that affects the respiratory system).
The Tdap vaccine helps the body make antibodies, which prevent the bacteria that cause tetanus disease from spreading the infection. This protects the baby from these infections until they get their first dose of the DPT vaccine.
3. Flu Vaccine
Pregnant women must also get the flu vaccine. This can be done in any trimester. This vaccine protects the mother from influenza infection.
Although influenza is considered a minor health problem, it can lead to several complications if ignored. In this, there is a high possibility of pneumonia after pregnancy and delivery.
Along with the pregnant woman, the flu vaccine also protects the health of the fetus. An influenza shot is not given to a baby after birth until it is 6 months old.
When a pregnant woman gets the vaccine, her body makes antibodies against influenza, which are passed on to the fetus. This reduces the risk of any infection to the baby in the first few months.
If you are also pregnant, then definitely get these vaccines.
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