It can be scary to get any shot during pregnancy, but if at all possible TDAP is one that is definitely worth getting. I read one that mentioned that they did not discover any studies on pregnant women and fetal effect with TDAP. This is not exactly true. Studies have not necessarily been performed on TDAP because it is a combination of two shots, Tetanus and Daptheria, both of which have been extensively studied and are very safe to recieve during pregnancy. Now, that is not to say there is no risk, as there is always some risk with anything you put in your body. However, with this vaccine the only real risk is of allergic reaction (you not baby). A reaction can range in effect from mild to severe, with the later posing some threat to baby if not responded to immediately. However, these reactions are incredibly rare and chances are if you have an allergy to either part of this shot you already know it, as they were common elements in any of the immunization packets you received as a child. Despite the common misconception, there is ABSOLUTELY no mercury in this shot (or any other immunization for the past 10 years) and all studies I am aware of exploring a link between TDAP and still birth are either inconclusive or have resulted in out and out Null conclusions. This means there is, as of yet, no correlative link between the shot and still birth. Finally, the reason you get the shot during pregnancy is so that you may safely pass a portion of the inoculation to your baby while they are protected by your body and immune system. They can not recieve the shot after birth for sometime, which is what leaves them so exposed to the threat of whooping cough.

I rambled on so long because I really wanted to help pass information on about this shot to all those who have questions or reseevations. However, that being said, making the decision to recieve any procedure during pregnancy is deeply personal and whatever choice you make is your own.

Whooping cough vaccine