How can I nicely ask family members to ensure they are up to date with their whooping cough vaccines. I'm currently pregnant with my 4th child and I know my mil & fil are up to date and my husbands family are too, but my mum & dad are definitely not (They have quite a few other grandchildren too so I'm not the only one concerned). My mum in particular just doesn't seem to be very concerned about it at all.
I've let it slide in the past but now with the growing increase of whooping cough its quite concerning for me. I really don't want to tell her she can't see her newest grandchild unless she gets the vaccine or until the baby is 6weeks) She's been at the birth of my other children so I would love her to be there again but I really want to put my foot down this time. One of my other siblings I know wouldn't be up-to-date with her shots but I'm not sure how to ask to get her to have the vaccine either, as money is a bit tight and I'm not sure if she would afford it.
My family isn't against vaccines, as my mum & sister vaccinated their kids, so its not a question of not agreeing with it, more the hassle of going to the doctor and paying for I think.
15 Replies
I think it costs about $35 for the vaccine, so if money is an issue offer to pay. Also lots of info in the news at the moment due to the death of the baby in WA this week. There is a Facebook page set up on behalf of the baby promoting whooping cough vaccines. So pop across there and use the info to support your argument. Good for you
OP here - Yep definitely happy to pay, its a small price to ensure my baby is protected as much as I can. its just the asking them to do it which is the problem. Thanks for the info i'll def check it out.
Just ask I'm sure they just don't realise they don't have immunity any more
I'd gently tell her about the 4 week old that died from it last week in WA! If that doesn't tug at the heart string and give her the boot in the bum she needs then I would be making some tough choices weather she agrees or not! Baby's health and safety paramount!
You could use the story of the poor little bubba who just passed away because of whopping cough and asking then. Let them know that you would happily pay for it and that it is just best for baby for everyone to be protected. It may be hard to ask but there is a good chance once you do they will realise, don't be afraid to.
OP again - it doesn't seem to matter (to my mum in particular) about the babies dying, I think she just thinks it wont happen to us. I've told her before about the increase in all these diseases in the last few years but she just fobs me off. But will use that story as a lead in and hopefully she will change her mind. She hates doctors and really never goes, so I'm thinking that's more her fear of the doctors rather than the injection. I've actually been trying to get her to have it the last 5yrs with no luck. She's even had a grandchild born a few months ago and was asked countless times but she never did. I'm thinking I might just have to play hard ball this time, which I really don't want to do.
She doesn't even have to see the GP - the nurse at the dr surgery normally does it.
I would just say, hey lets all go out to lunch and ive booked us all in to have the vaccine after, Its all paid for and booked I just want to be safe because the news has spured you into action.
My little fella was born 5 weeks early and my husband and I were given the injection when we were in hospital with him on the doctors advice. He also said that anyone else in close contact with him should get it as well so we just straight out asked my family to get it, they completely understood, babies are so fragile, and my son was so small that they were happy to do it. Just ask them straight out and also mention how it is coming back and is fatal for babies. I'm sure they will understand
There was no question my parents just did it. I wouldn't b offering to pay for it either I'd just say that If u want to see the new baby you will need to b up to date with there immunisations. It's that easy maybe harsh but u want a healthy baby not a dead one.
Have a really good chat with your Dr. My kids are both vacinated and I was shocked to find them both with whopping cough a few years ago. They were 3 and 13 at the time. I was told the strain they had has no vaccine and that over the years the cough mutates. I may have had a rogue Dr but they checked my kids records so they knew they had been vaccinated.
I am very glad you posted this because I am pregnant with no.3 and it has prompted me to get everyone on board in our family too.
Whats worse is i have to fly a newborn home 10 days after he/she is born. I am a germaphobe when it comes to plane air cons and public places with newborns.
I'm about to have my baby and we asked family a while ago to do this and most did. A few stubborn ones wouldn't and since the resent death of poor Riley i shared his story and asked people to please get their boosters or to stay away from all new born Bubs until they've had a chance to be immunised. However I've read a few articles lately that say in some states and countries that they are getting mums to have boosters in their 3rd trimester which covers bub to some degree. As I'm too late to do this I've only done limited research but I wish I had known so that even just going out in public and to do groceries I would feel safer. So maybe you could ask about this option also. I still think those who will be closer (like family) should get their booster. I mean why wouldn't you do everything you could to keep a new born safe. But it may make you feel a bit better. Apparently you can have this booster in the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy. I'm only going off minimal research so maybe looking into it.
Have a baby shower outing where u organise and pay for the vaccines with a nice lunch after!
I didn't ask family I TOLD them and hobby backed me up. No vaccine = no see our bsbies. Until they are 6 months.
There were some that I suspected said they had had it but hadn't really so we always asked if they were well (I'm talking about rigorous questioning) before being allowed to see the babies.
Better safe than sorry.
Could you forgive your family if they were the likely culprits who gave your bub whooping cough? I know I couldn't!!
OP here - I'm not asking auntys, uncles, friends who would only see the baby once every now and then (prob only the once in the first 6 weeks) but grandparents who visit often and my own siblings. Immediate family, we have lots of birthdays and immediate family things which we attend so there's a lot of contact.
Now I understand that I can't keep a baby locked up, although I didn't even go to the shops till after 6 weeks with my 2nd/3rd. And if I did shoppers won't be holding my baby, BUT their grandparents will. That's the difference. Hopefully this story about little Riley will help her see the light.
I'll ask my doc about the booster shot next time I'm there and see.
Chances are nurses, doctors and midwifes are all vaccinated too as I know someone currently studying nursing/midwifery and they have to have all their shots before they can do prac.