Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful experiences in a parent's life, but taking care of yourself and your baby with proper prenatal care can be difficult to manage, especially when there are so many requirements and options available. The Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine is a crucial step in the pregnancy process. If this is your first time hearing that term, or if you're unsure of the importance it has in prenatal care, here's some helpful information to guide you. 

What Is the Tdap Vaccine?

The Tdap vaccine is widely known to protect against whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, and diphtheria. Whooping cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory illness that babies and toddlers are more prone to contracting. Tetanus and diphtheria, through different processes, can restrict breathing.

All of these illnesses can lead to death, which is why the vaccine is a crucial prenatal care step to take for the health of your baby. 

Why Should You Get It During Pregnancy? 

Newborns are not able to get the Tdap until they are 2 months old, but if you receive the vaccine while they are in the womb, they will absorb part of the antibodies, which will keep them safe until they are able to get a full dose themselves. When you receive the vaccine, it will also protect you from contracting whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria while pregnant, so that your baby will remain unharmed. 

Whether you’re just starting to plan for pregnancy or recently found out you’re expecting, you’ll receive exceptional prenatal care from the medical professionals at Advanced OB-GYN Services. Led by board-certified gynecologist Dr. Joseph Hazan, this facility is dedicated to providing patients throughout St. Peters and Bridgeton, MO, with a warm, personalized experience. They’re proud to offer the highest standard of treatment from pre-conception to postpartum, including the Tdap vaccine. Call (636) 928-1800 to make an appointment, or visit them online for more information about their services.