Not sure about getting Covid vaccine

[19annie86]

Is there anyone else in very early pregnancy who is unsure about getting the Covid vaccine

[mumofmunchkin]

I just had my second vaccine this morning - I'm 7 weeks. I did a lot of reading, there's some good info on the RCOG website. What I came up against was that there is no evidence that the vaccine can harm an unborn baby, but there is evidence that COVID in the third trimester can lead to adverse outcomes, so I decided to have it. The doctor who talked me through it this morning said that there is no evidence that it would harm my pregnancy.

[GreenMeeple]

I waited until 16 weeks, not because the vaccine in itself is harmful but because of the risk of getting a fever. I know people who have had a fever with in 24 hours of getting the vaccine and it's on the list of potential side effects.

A fever in the first trimester can be potentially harmful to the baby. However getting covid in your third trimester can be dangerous for you. My midwife recommended waiting until week 16 and try and get the second dose before the third trimester.

But it's a person choice in the same way as eating certain foods is or stepping into a jacuzzi when pregnant. Many people don't get fevers from the vaccine and many pregnant women get fevers during the first trimester and have health babies. You have to make your own risk assessment.

[blondeirishmummy84]

I spoke with my doctor and he advised against me getting it. for various reasons. He gave me a good list of herbal remedies and supplements to boost my immune system instead.

[countbackfromten]

@blondeirishmummy84 your “doctor” is talking nonsense. Herbal remedies and supplements….I am shocked that an actual doctor would be suggesting anything like that.

OP - the RCOG have some great guidance about getting the vaccine and I would highly recommend getting it having seen the devastating impact it can have

[Sunflowerx]

I'm fully vaccinated and found this group really helped me make my decision: www.facebook.com/groups/433459851127376/?ref=share

I was fully supported by my midwife and doctor, as the known risks of covid in pregnancy outweigh the unknown risks of having the vaccine.

Hope you're able to make the best decision for yourself x

[stormelf]

I got my first dose at exactly 13 weeks and due second when I will be about 24 weeks I think

[IamnotwhouthinkIam]

Just had my second dose at week ago (at 5 weeks pregnant) - with no side effects apart from usual aching arm, although I checked my temp and had paracetamol at the ready.

It's a really difficult decision about first trimester use but what swung me towards the vaccine was 4 things:
Speaking to a GP who suggested getting it because there is no evidence it is harmful, where as there is evidence Covid can be.
That Covid transmissions are really increasing again in most areas (because of the Delta variant and "unlocking").
Most people can't protect themselves by totally self isolating for the whole of the 1st trimester.
The effects from catching Covid would likely be much more dangerous than any potential side effects from the vaccine.

It's not an easy decision though. It doesn't help that whilst most medical professionals seem united that the benefits outweigh the risks in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, some seem to be more hesitant to say either way for early use - so we are reliant on anecdotal evidence from the US where lots of women have had them in the 1st trimester with no known issues yet.

[Welshcake15]

I had my first jab before conceiving, and recently had my second jab at 6 weeks pregnant. As other posters have said, there isn't any evidence of adverse outcomes in pregnancy from the vaccine, but there is evidence of adverse outcomes in pregnancy as a result of Covid. The only side effects I had for either dose was a sore arm and a little bit of fatigue, both of which cleared up within 2-3 days.

[physicskate]

As 'countbackfrom10' said @blondeirishmummy84 - it has nothing to do with 'boosting your immune system.' In fact, the worst covid cases are often your immune system overreacting and causing inflammation. Please report this doctor to your local medical board. When it comes to covid, there IS NO natural immunity as you've never had a similar illness. This doctor is a quack.

Please seek a second opinion. Or read medical journals to make an informed opinion.

The most recent studies suggest there are no additional risks of getting the vaccine than there would be if you weren't pregnant. There is significant data on this now. There is significant additional risk from catching covid.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/pregnancy-breastfeeding-fertility-and-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination/


www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/


www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html

These particular vaccines are new. But we have MOUNTAINS of info about how vaccines work and they are safe for you to have. In fact, pregnant women are encouraged to get the pertussis and flu vaccines, so why not get the covid vaccine?? We know vaccines work. We know they are safe.

[Aranciata]

My midwife said they can't advise me but pointed me to RCOG website and said to do my research and make an informed choice.
My IVF clinic advised me to get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine from 12 weeks onwards.

[treesall]

I'm not intending to have it any time soon and definitely not while pregnant.

[Confused521]

@treesall

I'm not intending to have it any time soon and definitely not while pregnant.

Me neither.

[PurpleFlower1983]

I decided against it based on advice from two midwives and a consultant. I’m 39 weeks on Friday and will have it as soon as I can after the birth.

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

@blondeirishmummy84 blimey, hope he’s not a registered GP, he sounds like a quack.

[WeAllLikeVindaloo]

@treesall

I'm not intending to have it any time soon and definitely not while pregnant.

Nor me.
My personal choice, midwife said she couldn’t advise but supports my decision.

What put me off is the fact that one week doctors/midwives were advising against it, the next week said we could have it 🤷🏼‍♀️

Happy to be jabbed once I’m no longer pregnant.

[GummyBear91]

I've had my first but was in my second trimester when it was offered. My second is in a few weeks and I'll be 34 weeks by then. I would have waited to get past the first trimester if I was offered it earlier.

I was really unsure but kept an eye on the evidence that has changed so much over time. What made me feel like I've made the right decision is a conversation a friend of mine had with one of the consultant OBS at our local hospital at a growth scan. He basically said GPs/midwives who are advising against it should be struck off. He has first hand experience of the effects of catching covid, having seen lots of very sick expecting mothers and sadly an increase in still births. While the stats say that's what is happening actually having someone say they see it during their day job makes you realise the risk. My friend got the vaccine the next day.

Also, there's growing evidence that having the vaccine means baby is likely to have some immunity as well. That's got to be a good thing!!

[Danxoie]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant. I haven't had it while pregnant but will be once baby is here. The vaccine hasn't been around for years for us to know whether there will be effects on the baby in years to come. But it's personal preference and everyone is allowed a choice. My midwife hasn't even questioned me not having it. I will be isolating from 36 weeks though and have continued to wear a mask and stick with 2m distance when out food shopping etc.

[blondeirishmummy84]

@physicskate

As 'countbackfrom10' said *@blondeirishmummy84* - it has nothing to do with 'boosting your immune system.' In fact, the worst covid cases are often your immune system overreacting and causing inflammation. Please report this doctor to your local medical board. When it comes to covid, there IS NO natural immunity as you've never had a similar illness. This doctor is a quack.

Please seek a second opinion. Or read medical journals to make an informed opinion.

The most recent studies suggest there are no additional risks of getting the vaccine than there would be if you weren't pregnant. There is significant data on this now. There is significant additional risk from catching covid.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/pregnancy-breastfeeding-fertility-and-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination/

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html

These particular vaccines are new. But we have MOUNTAINS of info about how vaccines work and they are safe for you to have. In fact, pregnant women are encouraged to get the pertussis and flu vaccines, so why not get the covid vaccine?? We know vaccines work. We know they are safe.

Ok well I base my decision on my doctor, 4 other medical professionals, a midwife and this evidence below.

“Preliminary findings did not show obvious safety signals among pregnant persons… follow up of large numbers of women vaccinated early in pregnancy is necessary…”
Table 4 (below) in the study on Pregnancy Loss:
“Data on pregnancy are based on 827 participants…”
“A total of 700 participants received their first eligible dose in the third trimester.”
That means 127 pregnant women got Covid vaccines before their third trimester.
“A total of 96 of 104 spontaneous abortions occurred before 13 weeks of gestation.” (First trimester)
According to Table 4, all 104 spontaneous abortions were before 20 weeks of gestation. 8 happened in the second trimester.
Here’s the math:
127 pregnant women, vaccinated in the first two trimesters, divided into 104 abortions reported in the first two trimesters…
Equals an 82% abortion rate.
The study authors did something sneaky to hide the truth. They divided the 104 spontaneous abortions by the total number of women vaccinated, including those who got the shots in the third trimester, which was 827. That produces a spontaneous abortion rate of 12.6%, which is right in line with the normal miscarriage rate (around 15%).

New England Journal of Medicine source
www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa2104983?fbclid=IwAR2QaEt3SKiNxreOM67TyNNqvj9IlfGi5de1UoDveS3uQ3392J-c6B4_Vyc

I may reconsider when the human trials end in Jan 2023 :-) thanks for your input but each to their own.

[DizzySquirrel90]

All the people advising saying there is 'no evidence to say it would effect pregnancy/ baby.'

That's because there is No Evidence.

It wasn't until very recently that pregnant people were allowed to have it. You won't know anything for sure or have any 'evidence' until a good 6/7 months has passed.

[blondeirishmummy84]

@DizzySquirrel90

All the people advising saying there is 'no evidence to say it would effect pregnancy/ baby.'

That's because there is No Evidence.

It wasn't until very recently that pregnant people were allowed to have it. You won't know anything for sure or have any 'evidence' until a good 6/7 months has passed.

Yes, the complete lack of unknown long term evidence is not yet known.
Unfortunately I have seen some many loved ones suffer adverse reactions and know of 3 deaths due to the vaccine so I am just a little wary.

[Smallgriff]

You have read the data completely wrong. Try again (table 3 is helpful)

[Tryingandhoping2020]

@blondeirishmummy84
twitter.com/vikilovesfacs/status/1410508758099369984?s=21

[sophieanne22]

I had my first AstraZeneca vaccine before I got pregnant then my second last week, neither as yet has had any negative effect other than a sore arm

[whistlers]

@treesall

I'm not intending to have it any time soon and definitely not while pregnant.

How come?

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

How about all the women in America who have had it while pregnant for ages now? Those babies have now been born. The timeframe we are talking about is much longer than 6-7 months in this case.