TT Injection in Pregnancy: The Ultimate Guide for Expecting Mothers

Vaccines play a crucial role in protecting both the mother and the baby during pregnancy. The Tetanus Toxoid or TT vaccine is one such vaccine that is recommended for pregnant women. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that can be fatal for both the mother and the baby. The tetanus injection is a safe and effective way to prevent tetanus and ensure a healthy pregnancy. However, many women are unsure about when to take the TT injection in pregnancy.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of tetanus injection in pregnancy and the optimal timeframe for receiving the injection. By taking the TT vaccine at the right time, you can protect yourself and your baby from the dangers of tetanus.

What is tetanus?

A bacterium called Clostridium tetani causes an inflammatory condition known as tetanus. It enters an individual's system through an open sore, including a superficial puncture or a minor scrape. As soon as it enters the bloodstream through the epidermis, this bacterium produces a toxin known as tetanospasmin. If not treated promptly, this toxin targets the neurological system and could be fatal.

Preventive vaccination is available for this condition. And the importance of the TT vaccine during pregnancy increases. Pregnant women and their unborn children can avoid contracting tetanus by receiving a tetanus toxoid vaccine.

Tetanus injection in pregnancy: Why is it essential?

Tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccination for expectant mothers is standard in many countries. In India, women with tetanus-prone injuries should receive the tetanus toxoid vaccine to reduce their risk of contracting the disease. Doctors advise these immunisations because deliveries often occur in unsanitary settings.

Why do babies need tetanus?

Newborns are at risk for the highly lethal illness known as neonatal tetanus. Non-sterilised cutting tools and non-healing umbilical cord cuttings are the leading causes of this illness. Neonatal tetanus can impact babies since they have a compromised immune system. As a result, a woman must receive a tetanus toxoid vaccination when pregnant. After childbirth, the infant will continue to be resistant, thanks to this vaccination.

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TT injection during pregnancy: Which month?

According to the National Protection Schedule in India, two doses of the TT vaccine are recommended for pregnant women who have not been vaccinated before or are unsure of their vaccination status. The first dose should be given as early as possible during pregnancy, and the second dose should be given at least four weeks after the first dose or four weeks before the expected delivery date.

In subsequent pregnancies, only one dose, also known as a booster shot, is required. It is important to note that the timing of the TT injection in pregnancy may vary depending on the individual's health and medical history, so it is best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

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Important information before taking TT vaccine in pregnancy

Ensure that the physician who provides the vaccine shakes the bottle containing the shot. They perform this action to verify that the liquid and particles in the container appropriately interact. The shaking test is necessary to ensure that there was no harm to the vessel while freezing and thawing. They must also refrain from utilising used needles. TT immunisation program for pregnant women

The doctor will give the immunisation only after thoroughly reviewing all the records. Healthcare professionals usually administer two shots of TT/Td to the expecting mother one month before the baby is born. However, they may give additional doses if the pregnant lady has never been immunised or if the outcomes of her immunisation are unknown.

The pregnant individual can take the residual dosage of TT/Td before the baby is born if she has already received 1 to 4 tetanus toxoids. The last TT shot needs to be given two weeks before delivery. The doses are listed on a personalised immunisation certificate that must be kept secure.

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TT vaccine during the first pregnancy

If this is your first pregnancy, the physician will advise you to take two doses of tetanus toxoid during pregnancy. The expecting mother must take the first dose around the seventh month of pregnancy or the third trimester. After four weeks of this dose, she must take the second dose.

WHO also recommends that a third vaccine be given 6 months after the second one to provide protection for at least 5 years after. A select few medical professionals also favour providing three doses, starting with the first at 28 weeks of pregnancy. Others prefer the first trimester when other procedures have come back positive.

TT vaccine during second pregnancy

The doctor will review the full immunisation record before prescribing the pregnant patient a TT injection. If it has been less than two years since the first pregnancy and the patient previously received two doses of the vaccine during that pregnancy, she will only need one dosage of the booster shot. The vaccine schedule will change if the second pregnancy occurs after a significant break.

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Conclusion

An expecting mother should receive the tetanus toxoid or TT injection in pregnancy to protect herself and the unborn child. Therefore, this vaccine is crucial during pregnancy. Thus, the initial lingering question – TT vaccine during pregnancy, which month - seems viable and justifiable to the readers. By taking the TT vaccine at the right time, you can protect yourself and your baby from the dangers of tetanus.

References

1. Immunization and Emerging Infections Expert Work Group. (2017). Update on Immunization and Pregnancy: Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccination.

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2. Dağdeviren G, Örgül G, Yücel A, Şahin D. (2020). Tetanus vaccine during pregnancy: data of a tertiary hospital in Turkey. NCBI

3. Abhishek Singh, Saseendran Pallikadavath, Reuben Ogollah, William Stones. (2012). Maternal Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination and Neonatal Mortality in Rural North India.