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Pregnant. Pricked Finger With Sewing Needle. Worried About Tetanus. Will The Fetus Be Affected?

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Posted on Wed, 3 Jul 2013
Question: Hi! I just bought a sewing kit and pricked my finger with the sewing needle. Should I be worried about tetanus? I'm 9 months pregnant, if I had tetanus, could the fetus get it too?

Also, it didn't go too deep; just a quick prick but it got red and you can see the blood under my skin but no blood came out at all. I mostly worry if the fetus can contract tetanus from me IF I had it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (29 minutes later)
Hello and welcome to XXXXXXX

Thank you for your query.

I admire the concern you have for your unborn child. I would like to state a few facts about tetanus, that should clear most of your doubts about the condition:
-Contracting tetanus is unlikely from the scenario put forward by you, but it is better to get a shot of tetanus (it is safe for your baby, and is either way advised during pregnancy-this is routine). Which is why, I need to know if you got a tetanus shot during your pregnancy? As this is part of protocol, if you have (which you should have), then you are immunized against the condition, and have nothing to worry about. You and your baby are safe
-It is best to get the tetanus shot at the earliest if you have not already received it (usually best and most effective if taken within 48 hours of exposure)
-As mentioned earlier, tetanus is given as protocol to pregnant women, as these antibodies (substance that prevent tetanus) will be passed on to the fetus as well (which will protect your child from the condition)

Yes, tetanus can be transmitted from mother to fetus. But, in your case, if you got the tetanus shot/or get it at the earliest, you and your baby will be safe. The shot will protect you and your baby from the infection.

I hope I have succeeded in providing the information you were looking for. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would gladly help you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (35 minutes later)
Thank you so I much, I appreciate it. I will speak to my doctor about a tetanus shot for the safety of both my child and myself.

I had one more concern maybe you can help me with. Yesterday while cooking dinner, I was also baking something in the ovem at 450 degrees. Our ovem is relatively new so when in use, a strange smell comes from it. I was standing directly in front of the oven for about 20 to 30 minutes cooking on the stovetop. The smell at first, was something I didnt thing about but then I started to feel a little dizzy. I thought maybe the heat of the oven since we didn't really have ventilation. After 20 or 30 minutes of standing in the direct way of the fumes, I moved away and walked outside for fresh air. My throat started to burn a bit, but I thought it was acid reflux ( which us pregnant women get a lot of). I researched on the internet amd some people are sayingthe scent from new or fairly new ovens, is formaldehyde!! If in fact it was formaldehyde I was inhaling that whole time, will it cause brain damage to my fetus? I'm 38 weeks pregnant and have a cesarean on monday (6 days). In this far a long in pregnancy, can it caise brain damage, if so what exactly would the damage be and can I do anything to reverse or help this issue? I am NEVER around formaldehyde or any toxins, this was one time. I soooo careful about what I eat, inhale and drink. Thanks in advance, I warmly appreciate it!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (12 minutes later)
Hello once again.

It is my pleasure to be of assistance to you.

I shall surely help you with this. Inhalation of formaldehyde can cause irritation to the nose, mouth and throat. This is normal and should subside in a while. Stay in the open and take in fresh and clean air; drink plenty of water for a while.

No, formaldehyde exposure in this case is not expected to cause any damage to the fetus. The damage would not be expected as when formaldehyde has caused significant (serious) damage to the mother they will be visible; only then the baby should be examined. But as your pregnancy is close to complete (which means your baby's growth and development is almost complete), I am sure your baby should be fine.

I hope this information helps. I wish you a beautiful and healthy baby, and a safe cesarean. If you wish to contact me in the future, you can at: WWW.WWWW.WW I would love to be of assistance to you. If you are satisfied with my answers, you may close this discussion and rate my answers.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (27 minutes later)
You're the BEST!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! BEST WISHES AND BLESSINGS TO YOU :)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (16 minutes later)
Thank you for your kind words.

Take care and god bless you too.

You can contact me in the future at: WWW.WWWW.WW Don't forget to rate my answers after closing this discussion. :)

Take care.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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Pregnant. Pricked Finger With Sewing Needle. Worried About Tetanus. Will The Fetus Be Affected?

Hello and welcome to XXXXXXX

Thank you for your query.

I admire the concern you have for your unborn child. I would like to state a few facts about tetanus, that should clear most of your doubts about the condition:
-Contracting tetanus is unlikely from the scenario put forward by you, but it is better to get a shot of tetanus (it is safe for your baby, and is either way advised during pregnancy-this is routine). Which is why, I need to know if you got a tetanus shot during your pregnancy? As this is part of protocol, if you have (which you should have), then you are immunized against the condition, and have nothing to worry about. You and your baby are safe
-It is best to get the tetanus shot at the earliest if you have not already received it (usually best and most effective if taken within 48 hours of exposure)
-As mentioned earlier, tetanus is given as protocol to pregnant women, as these antibodies (substance that prevent tetanus) will be passed on to the fetus as well (which will protect your child from the condition)

Yes, tetanus can be transmitted from mother to fetus. But, in your case, if you got the tetanus shot/or get it at the earliest, you and your baby will be safe. The shot will protect you and your baby from the infection.

I hope I have succeeded in providing the information you were looking for. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would gladly help you.

Best wishes.