Get Immunized
It is best to talk to your healthcare provider about vaccinations before you become pregnant.
Before becoming pregnant, you should be up-to-date on all routine vaccines. This will help protect you and your child from serious diseases. Your baby will get immunity (protection) from you during your pregnancy if you are adequately protected against these diseases. Inactivated (killed) vaccines may be given during pregnancy. However, live vaccines such as the MMR, chickenpox and intranasal flu vaccines cannot be administered during pregnancy. These vaccines should be given at least one month before conception.
Rubella infection (prevented with the MMR vaccine) in pregnant women can cause serious birth defects or death in an unborn child. It is important that women get tested for immunity to Rubella before they become pregnant. Chickenpox is another disease that can cause congenital birth defects or death in babies born to infected mothers. Women also need to speak with their healthcare provider about their immunity to chickenpox.
It is important that you keep a record for all past immunizations; even those you had as a young child. You may need to speak with family members and/or contact schools you’ve attended previously if your healthcare provider does not have copies of your records.
Pregnant? Parenting? Planning to be?
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