Covid vaccination

[Rudolphian]

I think only you ladies will understand.
I work in the NHS and have been asked if I want my name down for the vaccine.
I have two kids. I am 37.
I've been trying to conceive for over a year.
Last year I suffered a miscarriage at 12 weeks just 2 days before my 12 weeks scan. It took 4 months to conceive.
Then we waited a couple of months before restarting at the start of the year. But only a month. I got a letter stating I would need a procedure done at the hospital. And it wouldn't be safe if pregnant so stopped. Then covid struck and we waited a few months.
We have restarted only about 3 months. In the second month I had a chemical pregnancy.
Now I've been offered the vaccine.
I feel like I'm getting older and time is just passing. You're not supposed to get the vaccine if pregnant and not to get pregnant for 3 months after having it.
I dont know when I will get the vaccine I could be waiting a few weeks or could get it earlier if I put my name down.
Maybe in mid January?
But that would mean skipping next month. Then I'd need a repeat dose and then skip TTC for 3 months after?
Every month my period arrives I feel my mood dipping, and feel so low.
I just want another baby and my family would be complete.
I'm not sure what to do especially as I feel I'm getting older and so it would take longer.
Everyone I speak to says just get the vaccine.
I'm not antivax.
If I wasnt planning a pregnancy I'd get it.
Advice?
What would you do?
I dont want to wait another 5- 6 months and then I'll be nearly 38 and then have issues getting pregnant.
But equally I dont want to catch covid and get really unwell.

Unless you are at particular risk from COVID, I would say follow you heart and keep ttc. ❤️

I am really sorry to hear what you've been through with MMc's/CP's.

Our stories are only vauguely similar in that I also work for the NHS, have been offered the vaccine and am TTC, in my second cycle of trying currently. I have declined the vaccine, like you I'm not anti vax, was offered it during my 2ww. Now that I'm into the swing of TTC I'd rather continue uninterrupted.

When it comes down to it, vaccine is a choice, you shouldn't feel pressured to take it if it doesn't fit your personal circumstances.

Baby dust x

Yes. I'm in the 2ww.
It's just I've asked my sisters for advice and they said just get the vaccine.
I don't think they understand what it's like when you are TTC. Especially as it's been over a year what with waiting for one thing and another. And then you dont know what might happen in 5 months time.

The more people you ask the more conflicting and confusing advice you will get, and you will start to doubt your decision. I havent asked a single for an opinion, for that reason.
I'm sure you will do whatever feels right

Same here Op. we were TTC for 18 months, got a new job in July (NHS) have been waiting since then losing weight and to be eligible for MAT pay. Plan was to start IVF in Jan/Feb. They’re offering us the vaccine.
I’ve been reading it, and my thoughts are that they don’t want you to TTC for three months because obviously it’s an unknown. They can’t test on pregnant women and they don’t know enough about it yet to confirm it is safe, but they also state that there’s no reason to believe it will be unsafe in pregnancy.
I’ve put my whole life on hold not doing this or that ‘incase we’re preganant’. I’m having the vaccine and still resuming TTC in Jan.
Good luck x

I'm TTC and over 40 and work in NHS. I won't be applying for the vaccine as a result.

Presumably the Oxford one will be ok to take so if so I'll put myself forward for that.

It's a difficult one and I've been trying to decide likewise. Covid has disrupted so much and it's not really something I feel okay with sharing with other people. I couldn't get my coil removed for about 4/5 months because they stopped doing this. Now we've been trying for 6 months and I'm 35+. So we've decided to stop trying until I've had the vaccine. Whilst I really just want to keep on ttc, it's thought of having Covid, the potential long term side effects, plus the risk of transmission to others. Hopefully I'll have the vaccine soon and then we can carry on with ttc, it adds a few months into our ttc journey.
It's such an individual choice to make, there's no right way to go on this.

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/

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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.

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!!

@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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

@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.

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.