What would you say?

[Guest guest]

We met with a new ped. this week, who is about as alternative-vax-friendly as an

allopath can be. Still, she said this to me:

" I respect parents' decisions, whatever they are. I do not like the CDC's

schedule, I think that vax are contributing to all these childhood illnesses.

But I do think that delayed vax is very important to do. You may say right now

that you do not want to vax, and of course most people do so there is herd

immunity. Some people come to me and say they don't work, it's just a

conspiracy, but they DO work and they are a good tool. You might feel

differently in a few years when your daughter is in preschool, and is exposed to

all these illnesses, especially if you have another baby at home then, you know?

You don't want your daughter to be exposing the newborn. I don't want to see

things like polio and measles kill people again. So, delay for now, but let me

know. "

This is the gist.

She does not know I am 20 weeks pregnant right now, or that I plan to home

school (btw I am NOT at all worried about my daughter, or anyone else, exposing

the newborn...we generally did not let anyone touch/hold DD until she was 6

months old and we will probably do the same this time...still, I don't plan to

be a recluse, I'll just wear the baby). She also does not actually know my

stance on vax. Should I even bother to do anything other than just say " no? "

Should I say anything? She has an informal paper where you can select options

A, B, or C (CDC schedule; her schedule; no vax) and asks all parents to make a

selection and then sign it, with the freedom to withdraw/change your choice at

any time. Should I sign this? I have the papers at home and have read them but

have not signed anything.

I was thinking of saying, " The WHO recognizes that these illnesses are extremely

uncommon in a developed country, and that in some cases, children are more

likely to get sick from the vax than naturally. I believe my daughter will be

healthy enough that should she get any of these illnesses, she will recover

naturally just fine. Also, the chances of her actually getting any of them are

much, much lower than the chances of her dying in a car accident, so it just

doesn't seem to be that crucial. "

This doctor is an osteopath, and believes strongly that vitamins and probiotics

will heal people better than drugs (and is the one who suggested the zinc that

is now helping my daughter to EAT after her stomach viruses a few months ago,

finally). So do you think this explanation will fall on deaf ears? It's so

hard to know. I want a health care provider who actually GETS IT and agrees

with me so I can openly discuss our choices and things I'm wondering about. We

DO have a chiropractor we see on a regular basis who is extremely anti-vax, so I

usually just talk to him and do whatever he says.

What would you do?

--Kate

Mommy to Rebekah, 1-26-08

Baby #2 due 7-26-09

[Guest guest]

Wearing the baby is such a good choice. Not only is it better for the

baby and bonding, etc. but I really did find it was the best way to

keep people from just walking up and taking them out of my arms. I

have never understood why people think it's okay to just walk up and

take a child from their mother without asking first -- especially an

upset child. Like they can comfort that child easier than its own

mother? That's even more stupid and offensive to me than them walking

up and putting their hands all over my pregnant belly without asking

first - another pet peeve of mine.

Anyway, what I really wanted to ask is what form says, word-for-word

in the section where you can decline all vaccinations? I'd be

interested to know how an osteo has worded this for his practice.

Thanks,

On Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 1:42 PM, Kate <ktietje85@...> wrote:

<snip>

> She does not know I am 20 weeks pregnant right now, or that I plan to home

> school (btw I am NOT at all worried about my daughter, or anyone else,

> exposing the newborn...we generally did not let anyone touch/hold DD until

> she was 6 months old and we will probably do the same this time...still, I

> don't plan to be a recluse, I'll just wear the baby). She also does not

> actually know my stance on vax. Should I even bother to do anything other

> than just say " no? " Should I say anything? She has an informal paper where

> you can select options A, B, or C (CDC schedule; her schedule; no vax) and

> asks all parents to make a selection and then sign it, with the freedom to

> withdraw/change your choice at any time. Should I sign this? I have the

> papers at home and have read them but have not signed anything.

<snip>