Midwife Connection

by Eileen Ehudin Beard, CNM, FNP, MS, ACNM Senior Practice Advisor and Tina Johnson, CNM, ACNM Director of Professional Practice & Health Policy

Vaccines are frequently a hot topic for providers. Midwives have always placed an emphasis on health care prevention. As we continue to move forward as major stakeholders in the provision of primary care for women and newborns, it is important to have evidence-based resources available for our clients. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has just released a new report on the adverse effects of vaccines. This report is an excellent resource for providers and consumers.

You may also want to check out this article from the summer 2011 issue of Quickening, ACNM’s quarterly newsletter, entitled Vaccination: Helping Clients Understand Myths vs. Facts.

Finally, as we approach flu season, please remember it’s very important to talk to your clients about seasonal flu shots and how important they are in protecting both pregnant women and their babies. Pregnant women who contract influenza face serious risks, including severe illness, premature delivery, and even death. Pregnant women should receive inactivated vaccine (flu shot) but should NOT receive the live attenuated vaccine (nasal spray).