Would you take covid vaccine pregnant?

[Ritamarie85]

I live in the US and have the option to have the vaccine during this pregnancy. I’m so torn. Would you take it? We are due to move home to the U.K. in the summer so travelling with other children pregnant I would feel more comfortable vaccinated. But I’m a bit scared now.

[Meredithgrey1]

I don’t know what the advice is in the US but I personally would follow the advice wherever I was. So, I wouldn’t be having it while the NHS wasn’t recommending it (also probably wouldn’t be able to have it because they probably wouldn’t give it to me). If the advice changed, then yes I would.

[BebesChamber]

They haven't tested that it's safe for babies, so I don't know why you would unless you were happy to risk the safety of your unborn baby.

[indub]

I would after first trimester. I've got access to pfizer through work and can't see how it would be a problem except fever side effect.

[FishWithoutABike]

Unless I could completely isolate I’d be more worried about catching covid while pregnant. No one knows how covid will effect the baby so I’d rather take my chances with the vaccine.

[SamuelWhiskey]

Yes, I have had it. There are clear risks to getting covid pregnant, to you and to the baby.
There is no current evidence that the vaccine causes harm to the unborn child, and there is no established theoretical mechanism by which it would.

[shivawn]

I got my second dose while pregnant (around 2 weeks after ovulating) although I didn't realise it at the time so I didn't have to make the decision. I'm happy now that it worked out that way and I'm fully vaccinated.

[Quail15]

No. I'm 31 weeks and a frontline NHS worker ( although I have now been moved away from the covid wards). I was told I would only be offered the vaccine if I had other underlying health conditions which mad me high risk. I don't so I'm happy not to have it until I need to return to work after maternity leave.

[Inkpaperstars]

I have been invited to have it during pregnancy because I am deemed high risk, but I haven’t decided what to do. I am waiting to get advice from one of the senior doctors about it, although whether I will feel any more certain after that I don’t know.

Does anyone know whether it is thought to offer some protection to the baby in the weeks after birth if the mother has the jab in late pregnancy, like the whooping cough one? Or if antibodies produced by the vaccine could be passed to the baby in breast milk? If so that is one advantage of getting it to weigh against possible disadvantages.

[Chelyanne]

Nope. I'm not volunteering for it after pregnancy either.

[MissingCoffeeandWine]

I had it recently. Am 27 weeks pregnant. I was offered it in 6 weeks ago but held off as I have little babies and I worried about the lack of evidence on fetal growth. But recently the WHO, RCOG and others have changed their guidance. There is emerging evidence from cohort trials (albeit not from clinical trials, as they cannot be conducted in pregnancy) that there is no harm caused to baby/placenta - acknowledged by the NHs here.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/951758/PHE_COVID-19_vaccination_guide_on_pregnancy_English_v2.pdf

But it takes a lot of time to accumulate cohort data, to the point that the medical advice could change to “recommending” the vaccine. So currently it’s a personal “risk analysis and choice”. For me, I am a HCP so at a high risk of exposure.

I found this article really helpful when making my decision : www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/should-you-get-covid19-vaccine-while-pregnant-heres-what-experts-say?cmpid=int_org=ngp::int_mc=website::int_src=ngp::int_cmp=amp::int_add=amp_readtherest

I completely respect that it’s an individual one - and one I was nervous about! But reading the science my personal conclusions were that: there is little risk of predictive harm for baba, some evidence of possible/probable protection for the newborn, and only the risk of fever for me - which covid also causes. So far, I’m lucky with no side effects either.

Not at all encouraging women to do something they are not comfortable with. Just sharing as I found information really hard to find when deciding and would have loved more access to peoples stories

[Peacefulspirit]

I had mine as I didn’t realise I was pregnant at the time. Just one of those things, no point worrying about it now

[Kateblue]

I'm not totally against having it while pregnant but would hope to see more promising data first. I've heard there's been at least a couple of cases where antibodies from mothers taking the vaccine while pregnant have passed to the newborn. I'm hoping in the next 2 months there will be more evidence of babies born with antibodies - if so I'm hoping I could get the vaccine in time. I'm currently 24 weeks pregnant.

The alternative is the baby being born with no protection and possibly no vaccine for a couple of years which kind of scares me more.

[Ritamarie85]

Thanks for all your replies. I’m so undecided. I have a couple of months to decide but I doubt there will be any data released by then.

Thanks for all your thoughts x

[Lisyloo725]

This is interesting to read and thanks for the info shared/we links too.
I’m starting to worry about what I will/won’t be able to do once things open up because I won’t have proof of vaccination (cos I’m pregnant) ...
Will I be able to go on holiday this summer if I want to? Will I be able to go to a show in the west end? To restaurants? The news tonight is not a great listen as it’s all a bit up in the air.
Surely they’ll make allowances for those who can’t have the vaccine (I’ll be visibly pregnant by summer holiday time)
Just thinking and sharing my thoughts....

[Ritamarie85]

@Lisyloo725 we currently live in the US but are moving home in the summer and I will be absolutely heavily pregnant. This is the one thing concerning me and making me think I should take the vaccine. I also just found an interesting article so will try and post the link. X

[Ritamarie85]

www.google.com/amp/s/www.news-medical.net/amp/news/20210209/Vaccinated-mothers-may-pass-on-SARS-CoV-2-antibodies-to-newborns.aspx

Just came accross this. Posted my an ER dr I follow on Instagram.

[BabyElephant2]

I wouldn’t take it at all unless it was essential to allow me on holiday so definitely wouldnt while pregnant. Many of my HCP friends/colleagues agree

[Riggsisadino]

I had it at 31 weeks but I'm ECV. Covid the first time almost landed me in ICU so wasn't risking that again. If I was aware of the pregnancy I wouldn't have it in the first 3 months.

[Lisyloo725]

I’d wait and see @Ritamarie85, what comes of the discussion around this immunisation passport.
I read a news article today that specifically mentioned pregnant women being part of the groups that wouldn’t (routinely) be vaccinated.
I would think that the alternative to having the ‘passport’ or certificate will be to have a test done before flying / going to a big event even maybe...and taking your proof...
See how the next few weeks pan out - what Boris and the other countries are saying (US in your case) to suss out what’s what.
Best of luck with your move!

[mummabubs]

Yes, I've had it. (Pfizer vaccine, when I was 25 weeks pregnant). As an NHS frontline worker I felt I was likely to come into contact with covid through work, but to be honest I'd have sought it out anyway. Having done as much reading as I can about how the covid vaccines were developed I truly believe on the balance of risk I don't believe it's likely to cause harm to my child.