This came out by ACOG June 10, 2026

A Natural Birth Mom's Guide to the New ACOG 2026 Maternal Immunization Schedule

Published June 10, 2026

At BirthEzy, we support informed decision-making and respectful conversations. Many women seeking natural birth want to minimize interventions whenever possible. At the same time, pregnancy naturally changes the immune system, making some infections more serious for both mother and baby.

The new ACOG Maternal Immunization Schedule focuses on one key principle:

Protecting both mother and baby before birth, when babies are too young to protect themselves.

The Four Vaccines ACOG Routinely Recommends During Pregnancy

1. Tdap (Whooping Cough Protection)

When: 27–36 weeks during every pregnancy

Why it matters:

• Newborns are at highest risk of severe whooping cough.
• Mom passes protective antibodies to baby before birth.
• Protection is strongest when given in the third trimester.

2. Influenza (Flu)

When: Any trimester

Why it matters:

• Pregnancy increases the risk of severe influenza illness.
• Fever from influenza can be harmful during pregnancy.
• Helps protect baby during the first months of life.

3. RSV Vaccine (Abrysvo)

When: 32w0d–36w6d during RSV season

Why it matters:

• RSV is one of the leading causes of infant hospitalization.
• Maternal vaccination helps transfer antibodies before birth.
• If a mother receives RSV vaccine in pregnancy, repeat vaccination is not recommended in later pregnancies; infant monoclonal antibody may be used instead.

4. COVID-19

When: Any trimester

Why it matters:

• Pregnancy increases the risk of severe COVID illness.
• ACOG recommends vaccination as soon as eligible during pregnancy.

What About Moms Who Prefer a Natural Approach?

Many BirthEzy families ask:

"Can I have a natural pregnancy and still think carefully about vaccines?"

Absolutely.

A natural approach is not about avoiding all medical care. It is about:

• Understanding risks and benefits
• Making informed decisions
• Using interventions thoughtfully
• Respecting individual values

The ACOG schedule is based on decades of research and is endorsed by multiple organizations including ACOG, AAFP, AAP, ACNM, SMFM, and others.

Important Point for Natural Birth Families

The purpose of maternal vaccination is not only to protect the mother.

It is largely intended to provide:

• Passive immunity to the newborn
• Protection during the first weeks and months of life
• A reduced risk of serious respiratory illness before babies are old enough to receive many vaccines themselves.

Vaccines NOT Given During Pregnancy

ACOG continues to recommend waiting until after delivery for:

• MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• HPV

These are generally given postpartum if indicated.

BirthEzy Takeaway

At BirthEzy, we believe every woman deserves:

• Accurate information
• Respectful counseling
• Time to ask questions
• Freedom from pressure
• Shared decision-making

Whether you choose all recommended vaccines, some, or none, our goal is to ensure that your decisions are informed, thoughtful, and centered on the health of both mother and baby.

Natural Birth Made Simple® begins with informed choices.

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