The Vaccine Debate: Part I
As I mentioned awhile back, I had a bad experience with Mary Rene’s former pediatrician regarding her shots. The doctor was doing his job but the tone of voice and attitude were not necessary. Looking back, I realize that a lot of it stems to my parenting skills. If I would have been a better advocate for my daughter from day one then we never would have gotten to that point. A friend of mine uses the same doctor and has been very successful with delaying vaccinations. From the start, my friend gave a firm no. I didn’t do that which allowed them to bully me around easier.
When I was pregnant with Mary Rene, I was in baby land. All I thought about was what baby stroller to buy, what car seat was the safest, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, cloth diapers over disposable, and on and on and on. Vaccinations didn’t cross my mind. It wasn’t until a month before Mary Rene was born that I had the pre-interview with her pediatrician and vaccinations came up. I was given a pamphlet on why vaccinations were important and that was the end of it. I don’t even remember reading the pamphlet. Why? Because she was the doctor and I was paying her to make the medical decisions. I figured she went to school all those years and knew what was best.
Now I realize how naive I was as a new mother. There are two important things I have learned as an adult and I should have applied these to parenting as well.
- Always Question Authority. Professionals make mistakes because…they are human. Haven’t you heard all the stories about doctor’s amputating the wrong leg? Mistakes happen. It is unfortunately apart of life. Never trust what you are told just because the person who is saying it appears to have more knowledge in that field then you do. Ask questions and expect an answer. If you are given an answer that doesn’t add up, then do your research and become the professional.
- Knowledge is Power. Trusting someone else to make crucial decisions for your child’s well-being is just ludicrous. I realize that now but I didn’t before. I gave them the power because they had the knowledge. I realize though that seeking out the knowledge is much easier than going to eight years of medical school. Don’t get me wrong, I am not discrediting all the years of hard work they put into medical school. I applaud the doctors for doing that. But what they know is also something we can know. And once we know it, we have more power. In order to stand firm in your beliefs on a matter, you need to have knowledge in that area.
I questioned the fire department when they said it was safest to put Mary Rene’s infant car seat behind the driver seat instead of the passenger seat. When he explained why, I agreed and her car seat was put behind me. I questioned the lady at Babies “R” Us when she claimed one stroller was better than the other. I question people all the time but I wasn’t questioning the doctor because of the M.D. behind the name.
But now I am learning more, through web research and books, and I feel like I have the Knowledge to Question all Authorities. So I am now, hence a new doctor. I know I could have stayed with the same doctor because she would have allowed me to delay vaccinations. It would be easier to do this then get the record’s transferred and start fresh. But I know that even though I say I have the Knowledge and I say I will Question her Authority next time, I probably won’t. I am not as tough when I am in person and since I couldn’t do it from the beginning with Mary Rene it will be hard to start fresh. So I decided I had to switch pediatricians in order to make sure that I get started on the right foot with Sweet Pea. I looked over Mary Rene’s vaccination chart and it honestly is too late to do anything different for her. But Sweet Pea, I am changing it up a bit a lot.
When it comes down to it though, Mary Rene and Sweet Pea have two parents. As much as I want to have my way all the time, I can’t. And I don’t. But I am thankful to have a supportive husband that believes I am making good choices for our children. He works at a hospital and believes in vaccinations and thinks they are important. When I told him what I learned in my research, he quickly added, “look at the other side,” and “there must be a reason they do it.” So I researched and found answered to both of his questions. As an adult working in a hospital around sick patients all day, it makes sense that he needs to keep up with certain vaccinations. I don’t question that all. But I question why an infant, just out of the womb, needs these same powerful vaccinations? If my children were in daycare, then yes, I could understand the need. Besides the fact that in most states it is required by law, there also is a bigger risk with all the children in close quarters. When my children reach school age, then yes, they do need to be vaccinated. Besides the obvious fact again that it is state law, they are in close quarters with other children. So I believe that there is a time and place for certain vaccinations but I don’t believe it is the first year of life.
Frank was slightly on board with my new approach and as he always does he casually mentioned to his mother what we were thinking of doing. He says it in a way that he almost is trying to get her feelings on the matter. At the very moment he told her, a nurse walked by (he was at the nursing home visiting his grandma.) The nurse kindly butt in the conversation and told him it was a good thing to do that. She went on to tell him that she lost a five month old patient because of vaccinations.
Clearly that is the worst case scenario and that doesn’t happen often. I don’t tell you that conversation to scare you but only to show you that mistakes can happen. Sure it could have been the vaccine itself that caused a negetive reaction. Or maybe the baby was supposed to get the polio vaccinations but by mistake the doctor picked up the vaccinations for pneumonia. Maybe the polio vaccinations is supposed to be 10 mil-liters but the flu is only supposed to be .10 mil-liters. That baby just got 10 mil-liters of the wrong vaccinations. This is all hypothetical and I’m not certain what happened in that situation. But it does happen.
Which brings me to this point, if you do decide to get your child vaccinated, ask to see the bottle they are administering and the amount. Remember, everyone makes mistakes. And as a parent, it is your right to see what they are injecting in your child. Also it is good to write down the Lot Number on the side of the bottle. That way if your child does have a reaction you can report the Lot Number to the National Vaccine Information Center. They will make sure other children who got that same bottle will be closely monitored.
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I have a lot to say regarding this topic (can you tell?) and there is no way I can fit this all into one post so I will be breaking it up into several post over the course of the next few days or week. Next post will start discussing the book, “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children’s Vaccinations,” by Stephanie Cave, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. I was concerned about vaccinations before I read her book and started my research online. A few people suggested that I read this book and I am so glad I did. If you are an expecting mother, I highly recommend this book.
January 30th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
EXCELLENT post, Trena! I decided to delay a few of my 1st child’s vaccinations (not until 15 months) and when my mother caught wind of this she was not supportive. Even though I felt I was making the right choice for him, I began to doubt myself and my choices. Researching the facts and discussing my concerns with my doctor solidified my feelings and opinions. I agree that vaccinations have their place and a true purpose, however I cannot justify injecting my new baby with large amounts of serum. When I had my 2nd child I was so much more confident in my decisions and I felt like I learned how to better advocate for my children. We only allow two shots at each visit and I take him back in for “injection only” visits as needed to keep him on a schedule. My 2nd child is healthier, has never had a reaction and so far shows no signs of allergies….a total difference from my mostly on-schedule, multiple vaccinations 1st child. I am looking forward to reading your other posts.