30wks and have whooping cough!!

[Lucysarah]

Dear Belle75,
I don't know if you will see this as if was months ago when you had whooping cough but I'm 31 weeks pregnant and have whooping cough. It's so interesting to hear of someone in exactly the same boat. I was sent into the maternity unit for assessment as I've been ill for so long and they monitored the baby while I was there. When I had huge coughing fits the baby's heart rate really dropped, then came back up again. They were concerned and want me to go back. But its really difficult for me to get there and they don't give you an appointment so you can be sitting waiting for hours. I just think what are they going to do?? They are hardly going to give me a C section at 31 weeks because the baby's heart rate drops when I cough. I can't find any evidence of harm to the baby when you have whooping cough.
How long did it take you to get better in the end?
Lucy

Has anyone else had whooping cough while pregnant? I was exposed a few weeks ago ( work colleague who refused to go to the dr for 4 weeks!Grrrr!)and have had a shocking cough for the last 10 days. have not slept for the last 4 nights (at all). Doctor reckons I can't take anything for it. The cough is so bad that i stop breathing and then vomit after To top it up, I have lost all bladder control and have to wear incontinence pants.

Sorry girls, but I needed to vent. Any advise at all? Not sure what to do. Antibiotics (erythromycin) is meant to reduce symptoms, but I don't know if it's completely safe and the doc won't prescribe me any. DH has no immunity either so I am concerned about him catching it next. What do I do???

[belle75]

Hi Lucysarah,
Firstly, big hugs. I know how difficult it is getting WP in pregnancy. No one else seems to really understand what you are going through. It took me 14 weeks to get over the whole thing. Symptoms started getting less severe after 10 weeks. It would be full on for a week, subside in wk2 then come back again in wk3. Hang in there, it does go. I know at times I felt like I would suffer forever.
Bub was born healthy and happy and has just turned 6months! He/she will be safe, don't worry too much. try and get as much rest as you can (and I know this is difficult) but keep drinking water and eat healthy. Rest, rest, rest is all that helped in the end.
Hope you get better soon hun.

[diannescruffy]

Really hope you get better soon.

Regards,
Dianne

[Linzy]

It sounds horrible! My big brother had this when he was little. I thought there was a vaccine for it though?

[belle75]

There is a vaccine Linzy, however it does not give lifetime coverage. you need to get a booster every 10 years. Most Aust adults are now not immune and that's why the disease is making a comeback. every 2-3 years there's an epidemic. was major last year. get the boostrix inj from your GP. Highly recommend it. it isn't worth getting that ill. Most councils have it as well. some run free programs. Give them a ring.

LucySarah, you can't have it in preg, besides you already have the condition so will make antibodies. DH and yourself should get a booster shot once bub is born. My DH got it while I was still preg. It is recommended for all new parents. It is a pity that most GPs are unaware about this/ haven't been educated on the topic enough. Try to breastfeed if possible. it will give bub all your antibodies and will protect in the early weeks.

[Linzy]

Ahhhhhhhh okies, good to know