I can’t begin to describe how organized I was during the holiday season when I was pregnant with my first child. Since I was pretty far along (5 months), I wanted to make sure each gift was chosen way ahead of time, I knew how long it would take me to get the food trimmings just right and whether I should emphasize red or green in my decorating scheme. All of this had to be done before that “pregnancy brain” I had heard so much about set-in. Little did I know, the most important items on my …
The Baby Blog: Infections & Vaccines
Another Vaccine In Pregnancy? Yes, and Here’s Why That’s Good News!
You may have heard that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended a new vaccine for use in the third trimester of pregnancy. Known as AbrysvoTM, the vaccine helps protect newborns against severe cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States, with anywhere from 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations occurring each year among children younger than 5. Even more upsetting is that 100-300 children under age …
Immunization Education: Everything You Need to Know About Vaccines Before and During Pregnancy
Melissa, pregnant for the first time, live chatted with MotherToBaby through our website: “Hi, I’m 29 weeks pregnant and wondering about vaccines. I have seen so many different things online and I am worried about getting really sick while I’m pregnant. Can you help?” Melissa is not alone. Many people contact MotherToBaby to find the most up-to-date information about vaccines during pregnancy. Protecting yourself from circulating viruses can also help protect your developing baby. Infections …
Special Edition Baby Blog: What Do All the Colors Mean? Zika, Pregnancy & Travel in a Post-Epidemic World
Back when Zika swept the western hemisphere, the travel recommendations for people who were pregnant or planning a pregnancy were clear: avoid any areas that had a risk of Zika infection. It was fairly easy to know where those areas were, as governments and public health organizations around the world worked tirelessly to identify and report cases. World maps showing areas of risk provided clear “yes/no” guidance. Was there any doubt about who shouldn’t travel where? Not really. Not back …
Kids, Pregnancy, and the Latest on COVID-19 Vaccines
By Kirstie Perrotta, MPH, MotherToBaby California and Lorrie Harris-Sagaribay, MPH, MotherToBaby North Carolina With schools back in full swing, fall activities underway, and children gathered once again in classrooms and other indoor settings, parents—including those who are pregnant—have renewed questions about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. MotherToBaby is seeing an increase in questions from pregnant people who want to protect themselves and their families as much as possible. Although …
