A new nurse role is helping support and advise women in Teesside about the benefit of vaccinations during pregnancy.
Emily Hough is helping expectant women and their babies as part of her role as antenatal vaccination nurse at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
Part of Emily’s role – the first of its type at the trust – involves advising on three vaccines women can receive during pregnancy.
These vaccines protect against flu, whooping cough and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Emily said: “My role involves providing women with more information around what vaccines they are eligible to have, at what stage we advise women having these during their pregnancy and discussing benefits and any questions and concerns our women may have.”
“It also involves helping talk through any concerns people may have, dispel any misinformation about vaccines and help put any women with any anxieties at ease.
“We totally understand any women who may have these feelings – ultimately they are only doing the best for their baby and asking the questions that I can answer.”
Three vaccinations during pregnancy
All of the vaccines are advised to be taken at various stages of pregnancy.
For flu, women are asked between six and 12 weeks into their pregnancy, but can have this at any time. Whooping cough it is advised 16 weeks into pregnancy and for RSV it is 28 weeks into pregnancy.
Emily continues: “These vaccines will protect the health of both our women and their babies.
“This role allows me to take that time to solely discuss with women and their loved ones about vaccines and their benefits, and gives them the time to ask any questions they may have which they may not get time to ask at a general appointment a woman may have with their midwives.”
“The role I am in is to empower women to make their own choices based on the advise and support I give. The choice around vaccinations is always that of our women.”