Subject close to my heart

I caught a case of pertussis in 2006 right before my wedding. If you've never had it or seen someone who does, let me tell you that it is soooooo scary! I experienced these horrible coughing fits to the point where I'd throw up. Worse yet was when i just couldn't catch my breath between fits. You feel like you're going to choke to death. My life was a mess. I couldn't sleep because of the coughing fits. My body, especially my ribs, ached all over because of the straining from the coughs. I ended up having to take codeine at night to get a bit of sleep but it wasn't enough.

Unfortunately there isn't anything you can do for pertussis other than treat the symptoms. And the worst part is that it lasts a looooong time. My doctor warned me that it could be up to 3 months and in my case, that's how long iit lasted.

I remember praying right before walking down the aisle, that I would not get hit with a coughing fit. Luckily I didn't!

Anyway, my vaccine is good from then but DH hadn't gotten vaccinated. This was on the list of TO DO's before baby but since she came early it didn't happen that way. He still got it though after the fact.

I'm actually surprised at how awareness of pertussis vaccination is so low despite the fact that every year there's news of outbreaks and infant deaths. And for some reason it seems like California is in the news more often for this. Maybe Maru will chime in since she's in Cali.

Just recently there was news of an outbreak in New York. I mentioned the vaccine to a friend who is set to deliver any day now and she had no idea.

I can't comment about getting the vaccine while pregnant but I would absolutely get the vaccine at some point. I know you can get it at the hospital after delivery.

Btw, it is recommended that not only the mom be vaccinated but dad as well as anyone who will have very close contact with baby.