preemie in nicu & they're pushing vaxes - Page 2

[twins10705]

Originally Posted by liberal_chick

Just do what you feel is right.

I disagree with this 100%...don't gamble with the life of a child or anyone based on any feeling. Delay everything until you are thoroughly educated on the risks and any possible benefits. You need to make an informed, intelligent decision based on fact.

to liberalchick: Just because your child didn't die like my cousin after the 6 month shots doesn't mean he won't later or end up with autism or diabetes or alzheimers later in life. Shame on you for encouraging ignorance on such a weighty matter!!

I repeat -- statistically preemies are FOUR TIMES more likely to DIE from SIDS. You do the research, you do the math -- above all, protect the health and life of your baby!

[twins10705]

Originally Posted by Lousli

I would look into synagis and make a separate choice about that. It isn't the same as other vaxes, and RSV is a very serious threat to a preemie's health.

This shot is an extremely powerful antiobiotic that has not been proven to do jack squat. The two pitiful studies that have been done show somewhat of a reduced risk of major RSV with an increased risk for "minor" respiratory problems. Talk to the docs and this is a miracle wonder drug though(I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that it costs thousands of dollars per dose hmmm!). Look up the research yourself before injecting these or other poisons into your babies.

[Lousli]

Originally Posted by twins10705

I disagree with this 100%...don't gamble with the life of a child or anyone based on any feeling. Delay everything until you are thoroughly educated on the risks and any possible benefits. You need to make an informed, intelligent decision based on fact.

to liberalchick: Just because your child didn't die like my cousin after the 6 month shots doesn't mean he won't later or end up with autism or diabetes or alzheimers later in life. Shame on you for encouraging ignorance on such a weighty matter!!

I repeat -- statistically preemies are FOUR TIMES more likely to DIE from SIDS. You do the research, you do the math -- above all, protect the health and life of your baby!

I don't think LC was suggesting that the mom in question (who has long since left the NICU, btw) base her decision on a feeling alone. I believe that she wast trying to say that the mom needed to make the choice she felt comfortable with, regardless of outside pressures.

Also, preemies are statistically far more likely to have apnea epsiodes and other health problems than full term babaies, and depending on the cause of their prematurity may also be exposed to more risks in the home (smoking, for example).

[twins10705]

Originally Posted by Lousli

I don't think LC was suggesting that the mom in question (who has long since left the NICU, btw) base her decision on a feeling alone. I believe that she wast trying to say that the mom needed to make the choice she felt comfortable with, regardless of outside pressures.

Obviously the OP has long since made a decision -- I am more worried about new preemie moms being influenced by this thread. Research and education need to be stressed more than listening to any whim(or doctor for that matter).

Originally Posted by Lousli

Also, preemies are statistically far more likely to have apnea epsiodes and other health problems than full term babaies, and depending on the cause of their prematurity may also be exposed to more risks in the home (smoking, for example).

True, which is why preemie parents especially cannot afford to be ignorant of the risks and S/A .

[Lousli]

Originally Posted by twins10705

This shot is an extremely powerful antiobiotic that has not been proven to do jack squat. The two pitiful studies that have been done show somewhat of a reduced risk of major RSV with an increased risk for "minor" respiratory problems. Talk to the docs and this is a miracle wonder drug though(I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that it costs thousands of dollars per dose hmmm!). Look up the research yourself before injecting these or other poisons into your babies.

Synagis isn't an antibiotic. It is an antibody to the RSV virus. From the Synagis website: "Synagis® is the first monoclonal antibody successfully developed to help prevent an infectious disease."

[twins10705]

Originally Posted by Lousli

Synagis isn't an antibiotic. It is an antibody to the RSV virus. From the Synagis website: "Synagis® is the first monoclonal antibody successfully developed to help prevent an infectious disease."

Palivizumab ( pal-i-VI-zu-mab) belongs to a group of medicines known as immunizing agents. Palivizumab is used to prevent infection in children and babies caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This medicine works by giving your body the antibodies it needs to protect it against RSV infection.

Whatever you want to call it -- it has not been properly evaluated for safety and efficacy. It contains genetically engineered "antibodies" which act as a powerful antibiotic in your baby's system.

[liberal_chick]

Originally Posted by Lousli

I don't think LC was suggesting that the mom in question (who has long since left the NICU, btw) base her decision on a feeling alone. I believe that she wast trying to say that the mom needed to make the choice she felt comfortable with, regardless of outside pressures.

Yes, this is what I meant. I would never encourage someone to go with feelings alone. Research away! BUT, I don't think that anyone should bow to outside pressures just because someone is forceful, no matter if that person has MD behind their name or not. You need to do the research for yourself and make a decision that YOU are comfortable with. You don't have to justify yourself to anyone, not at the doc's office and not here at MDC.

M.

[Lousli]

Originally Posted by twins10705

I disagree with this 100%...don't gamble with the life of a child or anyone based on any feeling. Delay everything until you are thoroughly educated on the risks and any possible benefits. You need to make an informed, intelligent decision based on fact.

to liberalchick: Just because your child didn't die like my cousin after the 6 month shots doesn't mean he won't later or end up with autism or diabetes or alzheimers later in life. Shame on you for encouraging ignorance on such a weighty matter!!

I repeat -- statistically preemies are FOUR TIMES more likely to DIE from SIDS. You do the research, you do the math -- above all, protect the health and life of your baby!

See, this is interesting to me. First you say to make a decision based on fact and research, which I can fully support. Then you go on to use the same exact scare tactics that highly pro-vax people use (but your baby is going to DIE!) This is why i won't venture into the vax threads, since i did my research and feel comfortable with my choice, but it still bothers the heck out of me to be given these horrible, dire worst case scenarios by BOTH sides of this debate.

[twins10705]

Originally Posted by Lousli

See, this is interesting to me. First you say to make a decision based on fact and research, which I can fully support. Then you go on to use the same exact scare tactics that highly pro-vax people use (but your baby is going to DIE!) This is why i won't venture into the vax threads, since i did my research and feel comfortable with my choice, but it still bothers the heck out of me to be given these horrible, dire worst case scenarios by BOTH sides of this debate.

3,000 babies die from SIDS each year in the US. SIDS was virtually unheard of until routine infant vaccination began in the 50s.
When SIDS started cropping up everywhere in Japan around the same time(as they started RIV as well) they eventually started delaying vaxes for all Japanese children until the age of two. SIDS disappeared in Japan from then until the 1980s when they began again vaxing at 2 months. From then till today the Japan SIDS deathrate is virtually the same as the US SIDS deathrate. Coincidence?
If anyone does the real research and still opts to pump their kid with heavy metals, neurotoxins and live viruses -- I can only scratch my head and wonder why. I don't see how the pro-vax side is similar at all.

[Lousli]

Originally Posted by twins10705

If anyone does the real research and still opts to pump their kid with heavy metals, neurotoxins and live viruses -- I can only scratch my head and wonder why. I don't see how the pro-vax side is similar at all.

Well, it is up to you to wonder why then. I'm making a choice based on my beliefs on what is best for my child. Enough said.

And I meant that the pro-vax side was similar in scare tactics. I get extremely offended when ANYONE tries to threaten me with the arguments that if I do or don't do XY or Z my child will die or become incredibly ill.

And I'm out of here, because I'm not actually trying to say that anyone should or should not vax. I merely think the choice is up to them. It isn't an issue I'm hell-bent on pushing either way, just stating what my choice was, that's all.

[boscopup]

I was originally planning to either not vac, or to delay vax'ing to 2 years. But then I had a 29 weeker preemie. I went back and forth, and thankfully didn't have the pressure of the NICU, since DS was only there for 4 weeks. But I did finally decide to go ahead with vax'ing, but not on the normal schedule. I didn't give the first one until he was 4.5 months old (2 months adjusted), and I only let them give him one shot each visit, so we were a little delayed from the normal schedule. I ended up seeing two different peds (starting with one, then switching to another practice), and neither one had a problem with delaying vax's due to his preemieness. So I absolutely say get your ped involved if this happens. If you're not planning to vax and you still don't want to vax, you hopefully have a ped that is willing to go along with that, and they can write you a note as a PP's ped did.

I also did do the Synagis shots, and am glad I did. DS was exposed to a boy his same age (but not nearly as preemie) who turned out to be in the beginning stages of RSV. DS never got it. That was not one I wanted to deal with in a baby born with immature lungs. And as Lousli mentioned, it is different from a vax. I couldn't find any side effects of it, nor did I find any scary stories. It's antibodies, not a vaccine. So maybe that helps.

[Valian]

I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to read all the other replies, and I hope you've gotten great advice but I just wanted to chime in since I know these threads can easily be derailed.

In the hospital we were pushed to take the HepB vax before leaving the hospital but refused because his immune system wasn't full term yet, which to my mind meant not ready for it.

Our ped. confirmed this was the right decision as he would have had to 're-do' that vax later on since premature immune systems can NOT be counted on to react as expected to the vax.

Vaxing or not, up to you. Just be sure not to start until he's full term adjusted age.

Edited b/c that should read " can NOT be counted on..."

[twins10705]

Originally Posted by Lousli

Well, it is up to you to wonder why then. I'm making a choice based on my beliefs on what is best for my child. Enough said.

The common belief is not necesarily the safest option for a child whether the parent means well or not. Before putting anything questionable into your child whether it be a type of food or a chemical, you owe it to your child to be aware of the risks and have appropriately weighed those risks.

[twins10705]

Originally Posted by boscopup

If you're not planning to vax and you still don't want to vax, you hopefully have a ped that is willing to go along with that, and they can write you a note as a PP's ped did.

It is your right to vax or not vax. You don't need a note. You don't need to "hope that your ped is willing to go along with it".

[Brinda]

Originally Posted by caedmyn

Since you're obviously not comfortable vaxing at this point, just tell the doctor you will be delaying his vaxes until he's two months adjusted (and that it's not open for discussion)--that should get the doctor off your back enough for you to have time to do some more research and feel more comfortable with whatever decision you make. Good luck, you can do it!

Definitely! I wouldn't want to bombard a child who is still trying to recover from a delivery like that to also bombard his immune system. Let him get situated before letting the hanker you into this!

[boscopup]

Originally Posted by twins10705

It is your right to vax or not vax. You don't need a note. You don't need to "hope that your ped is willing to go along with it".

If you want to use that ped, then yes, they need to go along with it, or they will kick you out of their practice. They have that right too! That doesn't mean you should vaccinate because you want to use that ped, but that if you want a ped, you should find one that won't kick you out of their practice for not vax'ing.

And when I said the statement I did, I was talking about getting a baby out of the NICU, and getting help from a ped to do so. If a ped gives you a note, it's easy to say "Look, my ped says this". Otherwise, the NICU has more power to keep your baby in.

When you have a baby in the NICU, you're postpartum, your hormones are going every which way, arguing with NICU staff about vax's is not the best thing! So my point was that you have hopefully found a ped that will take you as a client without vax'ing, and you can get a note from them to make it EASY to get your baby out of the NICU without much argument about vaxes. Yes, you have the right to choose vax or no vax, and you don't have to be "allowed" by a ped to make that choice, but if you don't want to deal with arguing with medical professionals when you're already in a traumatic situation - why make it more difficult for yourself?!?