Pregnancy: When to Get Tdap (and Why It Matters for Your Newborn)

Pregnancy: When to Get Tdap (and Why It Matters for Your Newborn)

Pregnancy is a time filled with important choices, and many of them are about protecting not just your own health, but your baby’s too. One of the most important—and often misunderstood—decisions is when to get the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy. Understanding the timing and the reason behind it can help you feel confident and prepared.

This article explains what the tdap vaccine is, why it matters during pregnancy, when to get it, and how it helps protect your newborn during their most vulnerable weeks of life. The information below is based on guidance from well-established medical organizations and decades of vaccine safety data.

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What Is the Tdap Vaccine?

The tdap vaccine protects against three serious bacterial infections:

• Tetanus – causes painful muscle stiffness and lockjaw
• Diphtheria – can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, and nerve damage
• Pertussis (whooping cough) – a highly contagious respiratory illness that is especially dangerous for babies

For pregnant people, the main focus of the tdap vaccine is pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

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Why Whooping Cough Is Dangerous for Newborns

Whooping cough is not just a bad cough. In young babies, it can be life-threatening.

Newborns are at the highest risk because:

• They are too young to be fully vaccinated
• Their immune systems are still developing
• They may not show classic coughing symptoms, making illness harder to detect

In infants, pertussis can cause:

• Breathing pauses (apnea)
• Pneumonia
• Seizures
• Brain damage
• Death in severe cases

Most babies who get whooping cough catch it from a parent, sibling, or caregiver who may not even realize they are infected.

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When Should You Get the Tdap Vaccine During Pregnancy?

The recommended time to get the tdap vaccine is between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, ideally during the earlier part of this window.

Why This Timing Matters

Getting the tdap vaccine during this specific time allows your body to:

• Build protective antibodies
• Pass those antibodies through the placenta to your baby

This process gives your newborn temporary immunity during their first few months of life, before they can receive their own vaccines.

Important Points to Know

• The tdap vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy
• This is true even if you had a tdap vaccine:
  • Before pregnancy
  • During a previous pregnancy
  • As a child or teen

Antibody levels decrease over time, so each pregnancy needs fresh protection.

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How the Tdap Vaccine Protects Your Baby

When you receive the tdap vaccine during pregnancy:

• Your immune system produces antibodies against pertussis
• These antibodies cross the placenta
• Your baby is born with built-in protection

This protection helps bridge the gap until your baby can start their own DTaP vaccine series at around 2 months of age.

Studies consistently show that maternal tdap vaccination:

• Dramatically reduces the risk of pertussis in infants
• Lowers the chance of severe illness and hospitalization
• Saves lives

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Is the Tdap Vaccine Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes. The tdap vaccine has been studied extensively and is considered safe for both the pregnant person and the baby.

Large studies involving hundreds of thousands of pregnant individuals have found:

• No increased risk of miscarriage
• No increased risk of birth defects
• No increased risk of preterm birth

The vaccine does not contain live bacteria, so it cannot cause infection.

Common Side Effects

Most side effects are mild and temporary, such as:

• Soreness or redness at the injection site
• Mild fatigue
• Headache
• Low-grade fever

Serious reactions are very rare. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to vaccines, talk with your doctor before receiving the tdap vaccine.

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What If You Didn’t Get Tdap During Pregnancy?

If you miss the tdap vaccine during pregnancy, it is still recommended to get it as soon as possible after delivery.

However, it’s important to understand:

• Postpartum vaccination does not protect your baby immediately
• It takes about two weeks for your body to build antibodies
• Those antibodies will not pass to your baby the same way after birth

That’s why vaccination during pregnancy is the best option whenever possible.

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Should Family Members and Caregivers Get the Tdap Vaccine?

Yes. This strategy is called “cocooning.”

Anyone who will be in close contact with your newborn should be up to date on their tdap vaccine, including:

• Partners
• Grandparents
• Babysitters
• Older siblings (if recommended by a doctor)

This reduces the chance that someone will unknowingly pass whooping cough to your baby.

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Tdap Vaccine and Breastfeeding

The tdap vaccine is safe while breastfeeding.

While breastfeeding does pass some antibodies to your baby, it does not replace getting the tdap vaccine during pregnancy. Both are helpful, but pregnancy vaccination provides stronger early protection.

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Balancing Awareness Without Fear

It’s natural to feel concerned when reading about illnesses that affect newborns. The goal is not to cause fear, but to support informed, calm decision-making.

The key facts to remember:

• Whooping cough can be very serious for babies
• The tdap vaccine is a proven, safe way to reduce that risk
• Timing during pregnancy makes a real difference

Taking preventive steps is one of the most practical ways to protect your newborn’s health.

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A Quick Note on Preventive Health

Pregnancy is also a good time to think about your own long-term health. If you have ongoing symptoms or concerns unrelated to pregnancy, you might consider doing a free, online symptom check for Cervical Cancer. Tools like this can help you decide whether it’s time to speak with a doctor, especially if something doesn’t feel right.

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When to Speak to a Doctor

You should always speak to a doctor, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider if you:

• Are unsure when to get the tdap vaccine
• Have had a serious reaction to a vaccine in the past
• Have a medical condition affecting your immune system
• Notice symptoms that feel severe, unusual, or life-threatening

Medical professionals can help you weigh benefits and risks based on your personal health history.

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Key Takeaways

• The tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough
• It is recommended during every pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks
• Getting vaccinated during pregnancy helps protect your newborn before they can be vaccinated
• The tdap vaccine is well-studied and considered safe
• Family members should also be up to date on their vaccines
• Always talk with a doctor about serious concerns or symptoms

Making informed healthcare decisions during pregnancy is an act of care—for yourself and for your baby. The tdap vaccine is one of the simplest, most effective steps you can take to give your newborn a safer start.