Education

While reading other blogs I come across a lot of information. Some of it is fertility related, some baby stuff, some social issues that come with fertility stuff. Since there is such a plethora of information, I try to absorb what I can and file away "Google later" things that can wait.

I know there is a lot I don't know about pregnancy and babies. I figure when the time comes and it's relevant, I'll take the time to research it. So when I noticed a hot topic issue going around the preggo IVFers, I filed it away in my Google Later pile in the back of my mind. It's so much information and it's not even relevant to me; I'll look it up when I get pregnant.

Over the weekend I got a rash on the back of my ankle. It wasn't terrible, but it was itchy and annoying. At first I thought it was a mosquito bit (ahhh zika?!) but then it started spreading a bit. My initial thought was to ignore it, but it happened to be that my husband wasn't feeling well and needed to see the urgent care doctor so I went along and had my rash looked at. The doctor couldn't pinpoint what it was. He did, however, recommend that I get a tetanus shot on the off chance it was a bug bite of sorts. Since it's been so many years that I can't even remember when my last one was (certainly not in the last 5 years, probably not even last 10), I said sure.

As I walk out, I get a sheet explaining the shot I just got: Tdap. Hey, I recognize that! It's the thing going around all the blogs now! I didn't realize they give a combination tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine. Turns out it's a recommendation for women to get it late in their pregnancy so that the baby gets immunized from it as well. Rather, that's the controversy - whether to get it during pregnancy or after, and whether to get all the family members in contact vaccinated also.

So I guess it was relevant after all. Not sure what this means for future pregnancies. I know that I wasn't supposed to TTC for a month after getting the MMR shot but I think that was because it was a live vaccine, as opposed to this one which is safe for pregnant ladies.

Does this mean they baby would be immune since I just got it? Would I have to get it again after 30 weeks? I know exactly when my husband got his Tdap shot because it involved a situation we won't get into, so I know he's covered. I'll ask all these questions when it's relevant, but it's interesting how things come around full circle.

This time it worked out fine, but I realize if you wait to get educated on things then by the time it's relevant it may be too late.