Covid vaccination

@Ughmaybenot I’m glad it went well. Mines has been delayed as they only have Pfizer atm and are being a bit cautious due to multiple allergies. I’m feeling a lot less nervous after your update though.

Hiii 👋🏻 so had the jab at 7:45 yesterday morning, very straightforward, same as any other injection, then had to sit for 15 minutes to ensure no adverse reaction.
I then drove back to work and did a 10 hour day (funnily enough booking our patients in for their COVID jab), and happily the only side effect I seem to have is slight soreness around the injection site, almost like a bruise. I feel well in myself and the soreness in my arm isn’t limiting in any way.. clearly, as I’m about to go riding 😂
Of my colleagues who’ve had it done, it seems most have the sore arm and one or two feel slightly under the weather generally but only positive experiences really.
Nothing to feel nervous about at all 😊

@Ughmaybenot Let us know how you get on. I think I’ll be in the same bit, get the vaccine and just continue trying. I recently had a loss, being pregnant & potentially exposed to COVID at work was so stressful. If I can remove even a bit of that stress for a future pregnancy then it’s a positive.

I’m going for it tomorrow morning, first thing, @Holly341 and I feel good about it. The chances of anything untoward happening are so slim, and they’re talking of approving it for pregnant women now so the confidence is there imo. We’re going to carry on as we are in terms of ttc.

@Ughmaybenot what did you decide about the vaccine in the end? I have my appointment on Saturday, my plan was to have it and just continue trying to conceive. I keep doubting myself though.

@Curiosity101 congratulations! You’re right, there’s so many things in life that could affect TTC. It’s balancing that risk with your own comfort levels.

I'm getting my vaccine today. I'm similar situation and age to you and in my mind I'd rather hold off for 3 months than put my health at risk. If it was hold off ttc for 12 months then I'd be feeling differently.

I've actually felt more relaxed this month as I didn't ttc and due af today, so there's been more romance in DTD with DH opposed to "I'm ovulating come on!!!" Lol.

Please do what is right for YOU.

Am glad I found this post! I have been offered the vaccine next week (and would like to have it) and work on the NHS frontline. I'm 33 and have been TTC #1 for the last 5 months. I have had covid recently and definitely wouldn't want it again! but don't feel I want to put TTC on hold.
I did read somewhere about possible Nuchal fold abnormalities with the vaccine which if you're taking folic acid will minimise this (not sure how reliable this source is).
So I'll continue with my supplements and TTC and just take my chances. If I manage to get pregnant by the second dose will cross that bridge when it comes to it. DP is supporting whatever decision I make.

Hi, thanks for setting up this thread. I work for the NHS on the front line and have the option to have the vaccine but haven't booked in as of yet. I have been ttc nearly a year. I'm 34 and did not want to take a break ttc at all. I was originally going to wait until there was more data and guidance, but I've seen now there may be updated guidance suggesting you don't need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination. I'm going to speak to occi health/gp for advice but I think I'm leaning more towards having it now if that's the case.

@DeeDee20 The advice was because the vaccine hasn't been tested in early pregnancy. Not because there was reason to believe it would cause any issues in early pregnancy.

Personally I would take the vaccine if offered it.

I’m so grateful for this group. I was just wondering what you ladies thought about the advice now being that you don’t have to avoid pregnancy after the vaccine. I thought you had to avoid for 2 months? X

Hi OP I'm sorry for your loss and difficulty TTC. I'm expecting my 4th baby but I've had 3 miscarriages as well -they are always devastating. My last loss was in May 2020 and now I am pregnant again so I appreciate the anxiety surrounding TTC, being pregnant and Covid. I am a nurse originally although I don't work atm but I have a friend who is 14weeks and will be getting the vaccine next week and another friend who is 30weeks and getting the vaccine today. Everyday healthy babies are born to women who have the virus and who have recovered from the virus so we know that unlike other bacteria and viruses covid doesn't appear to have an impact on the development of the foetus/baby. However, being activity ill with an infection (any infection) dramatically increases your risk of miscarriage. Both of my friends are medical professionals in patient facing roles so I'm happy for them that they can access this treatment. I am 28 weeks pregnant and I would have the vaccine today if only I could access it. I worry not only for the safety of this baby but also my other children if something were to happen to me -my husband is wonderful but I'd rather be alive to raise my babies too of course. I think that when this is over women will be seen to have been let down badly during the pandemic, between my experience going through important scans alone, D&C, aftercare, zero support and now possibly facing a solo delivery. And for everyone who argues that women are supported by excellent midwives etc, nothing can replace my husband being with me when I am at my most vulnerable.

I sincerely wish the best for you and for a positive outcome soon. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Congratulations @Curiosity101 🥰
I am on the same boat, had an MC at 6w in December and now I'm trying again. TTC, ironically, is the only thing that keeps me sane after the MC. Knowing that I'm doing something, that I'm trying again to achieve my dream is my coping mechanism. So I'm not willing to stop. I'm also 34 so not getting any younger! I work at the frontline in the NHS and I will take the first dose of the vaccine next week. If I'm pregnant in 3 months when the second dose is due, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. As much as the vaccine has not been tested on pregnant women, there is no reason to believe it would cause issues. But we know COVID can cause long term damage in multiple organ systems and we've yet to see what it may cause in infants and small babies (remember Zika anyone?). So I'll take my chances! But this is a personal decision and every woman should weigh in her perception of pros and cons.

@DeeDee20 Yes, you would have a partial level of protection.

I was just wondering if anyone knew what would happen if you had the first jab and conceived whilst waiting for the second one. I’ve read to not have the second one but would you then be somewhat protected from COVID? X

I just posted this on a similar thread from today, but I think I'd reply the same here...

I would have it (Pfizer or Oxford) if I was TTC. From what I've read it seems it's more a case of we don't know that it wont cause an issue, rather than there being any reason to believe it could cause an issue. I think there are lots of things I do in life that in theory could cause an issue for TTC if the argument is that there's been no research on that particularly thing to prove that it's harmless.

I've just got my BFP though so I don't know if I'll be given the option to have it. Also I'd be classed as low risk and (relatively) young so I'd be way down the list.

I would definitely consider having it whilst pregnant, but I'll just have to wait an see if that's even an option and take a risk call at the time. For example if I had to go into hospital for an extended period of time whilst heavily pregnant, and if Covid cases were high at the time then I would 100% want to be given a vaccine as a safety/preventative measure.

@Ughmaybenot it is such a hard choice.
@Leah2501 I’m totally on the same page as you, I have declined. It feels pretty shit everyone keep asking my why when I don’t want to talk about personal things and on month 7 of ttc feelings pretty rubbish. Xx

I’m so glad I found this thread! I’ve been offered the vaccine (tomorrow!) and have been struggling to decide. DH and I have been ttc for nigh on a year, and have been waiting 3 months for our initial fertility appointment which, please god don’t get cancelled, is at the end of this month. I’m relatively high risk due to health issues I already have.
Having read through the link @Clove76 posted, and thought long and hard previously, I think I’m getting it done. Chances are I won’t even catch in the next 2-3 months so it doesn’t make sense to me to put off the vaccine for a ‘what if’, if that makes sense?
No judgement for anyone either way tho, this is such a hard choice!!

If it helps, I’m a nurse on a Covid ward.
I’m not at high risk, I also haven’t had Covid (that I know of)
However TTC is best for me, putting it on hold would affect my mental health.
I know I’m extremely lucky to be prioritised with a vaccine.
However I have declined.
I am in no way an anti vaxxer, and I hope as many people get the vaccine so life can get back to normal. But at this point in time it’s it safe for me to have it while TTC. I don’t feel guilty for that.

Thank you for posting this. I feel totally torn, I’m NHS and ttc my first, on month 7 now.

My colleagues are getting the vaccine this week and I feel completly lost with what to do. I think my gut is saying no but I read if you get the first dose and conceive not to get the second one. Xx

I'm hoping to start TTC again after a miscarriage last year at 9 weeks. I've just told my work (Carer) that I won't be having the vaccine for the soul purpose that due to mine and my Other Half's ages we can't afford to wait much longer but I'm happy to do weekly Covid tests

Thanks for the link to the new guidance @clove76 that's useful.

I would have the vaccine

A lot of younger people have lifelong complications from covid. It's not just about dying.

I do understand what you're saying, but it's a few months to prioritise your existing DC, DH & obviously yourself

But as others have said, guidance has changed,so you may not have to postpone TTC anyway

Guidance has changed hasn't it? I know several pregnant doctors who are very keen to have it. If it's okay for pregnant women, surely it's okay for those trying to conceive?

Should add, I’m not actually sure if I will get the vaccine or whether to cancel. My job is semi front line- working remotely via video consultation at the moment but will be expected to do face to face work again soon

I understand your situation - it’s so difficult to know what to do. I just got an early positive pregnancy test and my COVID vaccine is booked for next week.

The latest advice from the RCOG (published a few days ago) states that pregnant healthcare workers at increased risk of getting Covid-19 through exposure working with patients can have the vaccine. If this applies to you - if you’re a ‘front line’ worker, then it could be worth considering the change in guidance, which I assume applies to anyone TTC too.

www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/updated-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-pregnancy-and-women-who-are-breastfeeding/