Today was Penny’s 6 week pediatrician’s appointment. She’s indeed growing like a weed and is now 11 pounds of perfection. Imagine she were a chocolate cake. An 11 pound chocolate cake. That would be insanely delicious. I bet my chocolate wedding cake was 11 pounds.
This was, of course, the first visit with a heap-load of vaccinations. Matt and I had discussed vaccinations and his philosophy was that she needed all of the suggested vaccinations but that I could choose the schedule. So I looked around for a pediatrician who would let me do a delayed vax schedule, and that was my plan.
But I had a change of heart while I was in there today.
I realize that vaccinations are a really heated debate, and I don’t dismiss either side of the issue because I really think parents disagree on this mainly because they want to do what’s right for their kids. So I can understand the philosophy behind both sides.
However… yeah, you knew there was a “however” coming around the bend… Y’all know Matt’s occupation, and you probably know his stance on vaccinations as well. He is a firm believer that there is no link to Autism with vaccinations and that by vaccinating we can prevent a whole host of horrible diseases. And I agreed with him. But there was this tiny little part of me that, as a mother, thought “what if all this research winds up being wrong? What if years down the line they DO find a link? And I’m the mother who gave my kid the XYZ vaccine?” So I wanted Penny to have the delayed schedule so I could watch like a hawk to see if she had any bad symptoms.
One thing Matt had to keep reminding me of while I was pregnant was that the medical decisions I made needed to be based on scientific evidence, not my emotions. He was fine with whatever I decided – a midwife, a natural birth, limited interventions – because I could prove that my midwives had a lower infant mortality rate than the national average, that a natural birth had lower chances of PPD than a section, and that using a doula would decrease my chances of having interventions that could have a wide range of negative side effects. But he never let me get away with statements like “no epidural because maternity anesthesiologists are in with the drug companies and want to kill me!” (Dr. Shane quickly took away all those fears!)
So while I was in the pediatrician’s office debating what to do about the vaccinations, I decided to put Penny on the regular vaccination schedule based on the scientific evidence that no link has been found between vaccinations and Autism. But I also chose to do that as a vote of confidence in my husband, in what he does, and how wonderful I believe he is at it. (Over dinner the other night he said, and I quote, “I actually prefer working with really, really low-functioning kids as opposed to those who are just barely on the Spectrum.” He’s an awesome guy. What can I say?)
I chose to put Penny on the regular vax schedule to not give credence to the Jenny McCarthy’s of the world who are basing their theories on anecdotal evidence. I chose to do it because I live with enough irrational guilt from a miscarriage, and would rather live with the irrational guilt that Penny’s possible future developmental disability came from an unsubstantiated link to vaccinations than to see her in the ICU dying of whooping cough.
I chose to do it because I don’t think my pediatrician has it in with the drug companies. And I think she wants to see Penny healthy. And I don’t think she’s evil. And… gulp… I don’t think doctors are evil.
You know how hard that is for me to say. But when I really, truly think about it… LOGICALLY… that is how I feel.
Ok, it’s out there. All my anti-vax friends, feel free to tear me a new one in the comments section.
I came home from the pediatrician’s office and changed Penny’s clothes. I changed her into this outfit – a little number that Matt picked out at the Carter’s outlet when we found out we were having a girl. Because orange is his favorite color – the color of giraffes. And one thing’s for sure… this little giraffe ain’t gonna get whooping cough!
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| From Daily Daguerreotype |
August 13th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Yeah… that research connecting the VAX to autism was bogus. The “researchers” admitted it. I say an ounce of prevention…..
August 13th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Priscilla. I love that you put it out there. Unabashedly, honesty to it’s purest. Who can rip you a new one for this? To anyone that does, the best job we can all do as mothers is make the best decisions we know how for our own children, and leave other mothers their own job of mothering. Above anything, I hope that you heard that the loudest in Alpha class. You two need to make your own decisions based on your own research and then take responsibility for those decisions. And you have done all of those things. Thanks for not cowering.
And I can’t believe how big and beautiful Penelope is getting!
August 13th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
and i guess there i have your answer. i agree, who is to question your decision? it seems to me it was made with research, discussion and a lot of love.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
i have chosen to do the same.
August 13th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Go mamma! I’m with you. Do’nt want my baby getting whooping cough. Do you have to vaccinate Penny for Hep A and B in your state? Those are two vaccinations I have major probs with. If babies have aids they are allowed in day cares with no disclosures, and i have to take the chance that my baby won’t want to become blood brothers/sisters with that kid. I think I should be allowed to take the same chance with the Hep’s. But I don’t think it’s mandatory in every state…
August 13th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Well said!! I’m proud of you.
August 13th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
I worked with autistic toddlers and read a lot of the research and came to the same conclusion (no link). The short version for me is, there’s a reason no one gets polio anymore. I was going to skip the chicken pox one and Sam got it at 12 months when I thought it was 18 months. der. I was hoping to get immunity for that the old fashioned way . . . She is beyond adorable and orange looks great on her.
August 13th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
I had a similar journey on deciding what to do about vaccinations, and reached the same conclusion. One of my main concerns was the number of vaccinations done at once and a fear of a reaction which might not occur if the child is older and they were spaced further apart. The other reassurance (other than no proof) for me was that the suspect preservatives were not used in any of the Canadian vaccines.
August 14th, 2010 at 10:36 am
You and Matt rock! I’m so proud of you both for doing your research and making those hard decisions. Penny’s one lucky girl!
August 14th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
i love you guys.
August 16th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Good job, mama! You’ve done your research, you’ve gotten varying opinions, you are trusting your best friend and overall, going with your gut which is something I’m learning is a bigger part of mommyhood than most will let on. We’ve decided to pick and choose Zachari’s vaccinations and she’s on an alternate schedule for the ones she does get and that’s what felt right for our family. You’re doing what feels right for your family, that’s the best you can do.
August 17th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
well thought, well said. and what a beautiful babyGirl!!!!
August 18th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Your sweet babygirl will probably never turn to you and say, “Thank you, Mommy and Daddy, for vaccinating me,” so I will…thank you for vaccinating your precious daughter. The rest of the community thanks you, too, because we are all healthier when children are immunized (even, ironically, the children of parents who refuse).
And you are right…pediatric health care professionals are not evil. Frankly, we’re mostly tired. And we don’t want to see another baby with pertussis struggle to breathe ever, ever again.
Love you, P-la.