Even before this whole whooping cough thing came about I knew once I gave birth I wanted to get myself and DP a booster. Now I was thinking of asking my mum and both his parents (they'll be visiting shortly after birth, both live in different states) to have a booster also.
Am I over-reacting? I think its kinda fair, Im just trying to protect my baby and if it means them having that I dont see a huge problem?
I think in light of all the recent outbreaks you are not being unreasonable. If you just asked the family how they felt about it, and explained your reasoning, I'm sure they'd understand.
It is actually the smartest thing to do, especially if coming from other places and you do not know what they have been exposed to. My parents insisted on it when they came to help me with DS2 when he was born. I understand if you are not for doing it, no worries at all that is your choice. But if you are all for it then absolutely yes! Most people, docs, nurses etc will recommend anyone close to you spending time with bubs should get it done....there is a poster up saying something along the lines of most babies catch it from family members such as grandparents. So it is your call, but NO you are not being silly asking them to have it done.
Completely not over-reacting. If they don't do it then they can't go near the baby - simple. Tell them to get it done now so that it has time to work before they visit.
Why not just ask them would they consider having a whooping cough booster as there have been a few cases in the last year and you would just feel better.. I don't think I would even hesitate now if I had a newborn.
Hope they agree without making you feel silly.. And if they do remind them it is their grandchilds health you are trying to protect
Just mention the sad case of the baby who died recently of whooping cough in Melbourne, I am sure they will understand you want to protect your little one.
A lot of places now offer free boosters for parents/ grandparents who will be spending lots of time with newborn babies.
It was recommended to us when we had DS to get all close family and friends to be sure they had a booster! They even put a sticker about it on the front of the hospital book!
When DD was born i was given the booster and told that my DP and grandparents should get it also. So no you aren't over reacting at all thats actually very smart thinking.
AHURANI _ When Jess was a newborn ( I think she was only 3 weeks old? ) DH's Aunty got whooping cough. Her Dr personally rang me & said "I'm Dr X, I don't want to alarm you, but your Aunty has just tested positive to whooping cough & being that you have a newborn baby, I have an isolation room on standby at Princess Margaret Hospital as if your newborn is infected (they had been in contact several times over the 3 weeks), she is going to get very ill very quickly. I need you to come to the surgery IMMEDIATELY for me to assess her & you for symptoms'. Well, the 'I don't want to alarm you' completely freaked me out. So I rang my sister because I was nervous going alone. Anyway, to cut a long story short, Jess didn't have whooping cough, he didn't put her in isolation & he vaccined both myself & my sister right there on the spot & free of charge.
Sorry, got all caught up in the 'memory' then. But what I was trying to say, is that I don't think it's unreasonable to ask, Whooping Cough is scary!!! But ultimately it's up to them to either accept or decline.
From memory, I'm pretty sure that my parents went & got the vaccine & so did MIL, but that FIL didn't? I can't remember exactly - but I remember it being a really super scary situation at the time.
Not at all. I"d send them the articles from the paper if you want some back up. Both sets of grandparents here see Mitchell regularly and they both had the vaccination before he was born. My parents did it without even being asked.
I mean they wont see her alot considering they live interstate but I dont really think its the point. I talked to my mum about it just before and she actually said she was going to bring it up with me and that she is going to go and get it. DP can talk to his parents.
Jayne: mum was saying one of us got WC and it was horrible. Alas she cant remember which one of us rofl. Mmmmm Rafa *drools*
both sets of parents live interstate and we asked them to get the vaccinations. I did have to ask the IL a few times (reminders) and ended up emailing the lastest govt health info ... so they went and got it done before coming to visit. It wasn't a problem but i got the feeling they thought WC was long gone iykwim and didn't really get what i was on about.
Tell your Dh he can think you are being silly as a four headed clown juggling monkeys but if he doesn't tell his parents to get the shots before coming (not the day before either) then they won't be seeing you or your child. better still, i'd just go over his head.
I figured we would be having more kids and all the grannies would be having contact several times a year, so better get it now and you all know it's done.
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DP thinks Im being a bit silly..
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