In the ever-evolving landscape of pregnancy recommendations, one vital piece of advice remains clear: expectant mothers must receive the whooping cough vaccine. This potentially deadly disease poses a significant threat to infants, and vaccinations have made it largely preventable. A mother named Sarah has shared her harrowing experience of unknowingly transmitting whooping cough to her newborn, urging other women to prioritize getting vaccinated.
In a video shared on the Gold Coast Health Facebook page, Sarah recounts her journey as a fit, health-conscious individual who hesitated to receive the pertussis vaccine during her 28th week of pregnancy. Unfortunately, shortly before giving birth, she fell ill and subsequently passed the infection to her daughter, Lily.
Now, both Sarah and Lily have spent over three weeks in the hospital. Initially dismissing the illness as minor, Sarah soon witnessed her daughter’s cough escalate to a terrifying level. “She was coughing so violently, it was like something out of a horror film,” Sarah recalls. “Seeing her turn blue, gasping for air, and racing to the hospital was beyond distressing.” Lily was admitted to the ICU, and Sarah describes the slow and painful recovery as excruciating to witness.
Sarah’s primary goal is to raise awareness about the severity of whooping cough and the importance of vaccination. “I thought I was invincible—never been sick, traveled the world, and always felt great,” she admits. “Now, seeing Lily struggle every hour, needing oxygen, and having difficulty eating is heartbreaking. She’s my first child, and if I could turn back time, I would have taken that shot.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all pregnant women receive a whooping cough vaccine during their third trimester. This vaccination allows mothers to develop protective antibodies that are passed to their unborn babies, significantly reducing the risk of infection. For maximum effectiveness, it is advised that this vaccine be administered later in pregnancy.
The CDC’s guidelines are relatively new, which may lead many women to underestimate the vaccine’s importance. For instance, when I had my first child in 2013, the recommendation was to receive the pertussis vaccine only after giving birth. By the time my second child arrived, the guidelines had changed, and I was offered the vaccine during pregnancy. I remember questioning whether I truly needed it after having one just a few years before.
However, the consensus among medical professionals is clear: even if you have been vaccinated in the past, there is no blood test to confirm your immunity against whooping cough. Therefore, when offered, it is crucial to accept the vaccine for the well-being of both yourself and your child.
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In summary, a mother’s experience highlights the critical importance of receiving the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy to protect newborns from potentially life-threatening illness. By sharing her story, Sarah hopes to encourage other mothers to prioritize this essential vaccination for their health and their children’s safety.