puncture wound & pregnant

[Still_Learning]

So I just had a bit of a freak accident and punctured my foot. It wasn't bleeding, so I squeezed the heck out it it until I saw blood. I do't know how deep it is, about an inch I am guessing.'

I'm 7 months pregnant and considering going to the hospital just to have it looked at. Not sure what they can do, but I assume they'll want me to have a tetanus shot as I haven't had one in about 15 years.

I'm thinking this would be a big no-no while pregnant, right?

Any advice?

btw, I punctured it on a rigid super glue bottle. Hurts like crazy and I'm trying not to pass out....

[jeliphish]

I wouldn't think a tetanus shot would be safe for you at this point, nor would it be useful after the fact. I would think if anything just keep it clean, if there are signs of infection I would say that an antibiotic would be much safer than a tet shot. Just my opinion though....not a medical professional. I think there is a doc or two on this board though.

[MountainMamaGC]

Is it closed up or kinda open. Can you flush it out? Hydrogen peroxide will bring oxygen into the wound which inhibits tetanus bacteria. I dont know the protocol for pregnant women.

[shuttlt]

Originally Posted by Still_Learning

So I just had a bit of a freak accident and punctured my foot. It wasn't bleeding, so I squeezed the heck out it it until I saw blood. I do't know how deep it is, about an inch I am guessing.'

I'm 7 months pregnant and considering going to the hospital just to have it looked at. Not sure what they can do, but I assume they'll want me to have a tetanus shot as I haven't had one in about 15 years.

I'm thinking this would be a big no-no while pregnant, right?

Any advice?

btw, I punctured it on a rigid super glue bottle. Hurts like crazy and I'm trying not to pass out....

If you've got an inch deep hole in your foot, my advice would be to get it checked out. If you don't want to get the shot, go there with that determination. Pregnant women are supposed to act crazy

Feel free to ignore me. The important thing is to do what you feel comfortable with. Good luck, and all the best!

[Still_Learning]

Thanks. I don't know. It's not open, it just all gross looking. Looks like tissue os just exposed and mangled.

I soaked in some epsom salts for a few minutes and am going to bandage up and see what happens.

Was planning on taking DS to our doctor Monday, guess I'll make an appointment for myself as well just to have it looked at.

Guess tetanus is my only concern as I couldn't get much blood out of it.

[kiara7]

All vaccines are pregnancy class C (not to mention aluminum, mercury, etc. and the fact that it won't do much good after the fact)

Keep it clean, ask the doc on Monday. Tetanus is more of an issue with DEEP puncture wounds, burns and/or diabetes, etc. (poor circulation).

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by kiara7

Tetanus is more of an issue with DEEP puncture wounds, burns and/or diabetes, etc. (poor circulation).

A 1 inch deep wound is pretty darn deep! In case of an injury where tetanus is sa risk the vaccine would do no good, you would receive the tetanus immunoglobulin (I believe that is what it is called - there is info here discussing it in the past). If the wound didn't bleed much and looks messy I would be inclined to have it looked at - I wouldn't want to take the chance of infection this late in pregnancy.

[luminesce]

If you had a shot 15 years ago, you are probably still immune. They recommend more frequent shots to be safe but it probably lasts much longer than the safety ranges that they site. That said, I'd probably still worry a little depending on what the wound looked like. Super-glue is some nasty stuff though - did any of it get in your foot? I'd be a little more worried about that and infection, I think.

ETA:
I'm looking for the docs to back up my statement. I know I've read it before in a study. This doesn't list the sources but it might make you feel a little better:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingn...nger_ohsu.html

"For example, current CDC guidelines recommend adults get a tetanus vaccination every 10 years; OHSU researchers say the vaccination appears to offer protection for at least three decades"

http://www.innovations-report.com/ht...ort-95823.html

“Another example is the tetanus vaccine,” said Slifka. “Doctors are told that vaccination is effective for a period of 10 years – but after that, people should be revaccinated. Based on our studies and the work of others, once a person has received their primary series of vaccinations they are likely to be protected for at least three decades. Indeed, other countries such as Sweden have changed their vaccination policies and doctors are advised to offer tetanus revaccination only once every 30 years.”

I don't know where they get the data to support the safety of Td - but if you do get a shot, be sure to not let them give you one with pertussis in it (Tdap):

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_16189.asp

CDC does not recommend the pertussis part of this vaccine during pregnancy because there is limited information on its safety in pregnancy. (The pertussis vaccine is made from inactivated parts of the bacterium.) The Td shot, which is made with toxoids, is safe in pregnancy. If you get a deep cut during pregnancy and need a tetanus shot, you can safely receive the Td shot.

[user_name]

esp so after the fact, if they pressure you for a booster, maybe you could ask to have them draw your titers? i'm not really very knowledgeable about that, though...any experts out there to tell OP if this is a doable option?

[Still_Learning]

Thanks everyone. I would get the tetanus if I wasn't pregnant, just to be safe. I called my midwfie and she said not to get it while pregnant, so I'll go with that.

[kiara7]

Originally Posted by TCMoulton

A 1 inch deep wound is pretty darn deep!

She said she doesn't know how deep it is - about an inch, may be? It's hard to gauge puncture wounds if you're not a HCP.