[lovedupmumma]

I'm due with #3 in a couple of weeks, and my MIL has told me she's takien all of Jan off to help out. Now when DS2 was born the Dept of Health was offering free boosters for whooping cough for parents and carers because there was a lot about. DH and I and my parents all got them, but at the time my MIL refused to get one as she thinks it will have some side effects or something. I had to tell her at the time that if she had symptoms that she may have even thought was a cold she'd have to stay away until it resolved as whooping cough can present like that in adults.

So there's a lot of whooping cough going about at the moment, and once this baby comes the other kids, DH and I and my folks will all be current for vacs. I know you can still get it if immunised, just a milder case, but should I ask MIL to consider getting a booster this time as she refused last time. If she were to get ill with anything that looks anything like it DH and I will ask her to stay away which seems awful when she's taken the time off to help.

[Chief Pancake Ma...]

Yes you should. If she cares enough about your child to want to come and help for a month she should care enough to get a booster.

[futureself]

I'd ask again, you have nothing to lose. I got a WC booster pamphlet from my Dr's office that's particularly aimed at Grandparents and printed off some news stories about the epidemic to back up my request. Didn't need them in the end as family obliged no questions asked but perhaps literature may help convince her?

[Tesseract]

I'd ask again, you have nothing to lose. I got a WC booster pamphlet from my Dr's office that's particularly aimed at Grandparents and printed off some news stories about the epidemic to back up my request. Didn't need them in the end as family obliged no questions asked but perhaps literature may help convince her?

I would do this too. But I would get your DH to do it, it's his mother.

[Justaduck]

Yep we made everyone in the family get one. They were free for parents/grandparents and any adult living in the house at the time of birth. I am in QLD though so might be different in other states.
We just said if they don't get the shot they will not be around DD until she has had hers

[Le-a]

Personally, I think I would mention it to her.

When my DS was born two years ago, DH and I got vaxxed, and I mentioned it to my parents (who are both old hippy/anti vaxxers) and they both didn't get it done, mum did about a year later. I wish I was firmer with them to get vaccinated when DS was little and vulnerable. They see him quite a bit and knowing then what I know now of whooping cough, I will be stricter next time we have a newborn.

We also live in a whooping cough "hotspot".

I find it a really difficult conversation to have, because at the end of the day I feels it is up to the individual to decide wether or not they vaccinate themselves, but as a mother it is my responsibility to ensure the risk of contracting WC from someone who my kid sees a lot is minimal.

[lovedupmumma]

But I would get your DH to do it, it's his mother.

I think this would be the best approach, she can be pretty defensive when I suggest things like this. Also, her daughter is having another baby next year, so it might be good to hear it from her too.

We're not in a 'hotspot' as such, but there is a current epidemic in NSW and it has been in the community (eg my son's school) in the past few years.

I got a WC booster pamphlet from my Dr's office that's particularly aimed at Grandparents and printed off some news stories about the epidemic to back up my request.

Good idea, I'm seeing my OB tomorrow so I'll get something from him. Thanks.

[Leela321]

Grab the pamphlet and suggest she speaks with her GP about it. No harm in asking but don't be surprised if she refuses, just explain that you don't want her around baby if she is under the weather.

I prefer people to stay away if under the weather no matter what their vaccination status is. I never asked anyone to get the booster but my DH and I had it and we only had visitors.

[twilightangel]

Yes please ask again.

I have just watched my baby boy fighting for his life for the past 6 weeks (from 11 weeks old) in RCH Brisbane. Four of those weeks spent in ICU because he got whooping cough. Its not something I would ever wish anyone to see or go through. It broke my heart seeing my little one struggle to catch his breath and then turn blue. To see the Drs rushing in with the crash cart knowing its for your child cause they need to help him and breath for him again (this happened 4 times).

My family did have their boosters and 2 of my fully vaccinated older kids also got it but because there is an epidemic of whooping cough at the moment my baby still sadly got it. Thankfully my baby is currently sleeping beside me as some babies don't survive whooping cough.

It's a small needle for her, it's a huge fight for a baby.

[frizzle]

Yes yes yes. My mum had whooping cough when my sister had a newborn, my nephew was about 4 weeks old and mum hadn't been tested for wc and insisted she was fine, had us all stay for the weekend. How the little guy didn't catch it from her is beyond me. My little boy ended up with a terrible cough shortly after and we had to get him tested.

So yes I would ask or get your dh to. Which reminds me I must see if my parents and mil will get it as I am pregnant.