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Original poster

Covid Vaccine - NHS?

52 replies

xem87 · 09/01/2021 17:50

Any NHS workers TTC having the covid vaccine?
I'm reading so many mixed things... we been TTC for 3 months, chemical pregnancy last month. I really don't want to stop trying and delay it just not sure what to do.
I work on a medical ward not covid positive but it's all over the hospital...

Any advice xx

OP posts:
wildraisins · 09/01/2021 18:45

If you are TTC within the next 3 months then it's not recommended that you have the vaccine unless you have a specific health issue that makes you vulnerable

wildraisins · 09/01/2021 18:46

As you are an NHS worker in a hospital however it may be a good idea for you to have it. Talk to your GP perhaps?

They are really just being cautious. They are only recommending against it because it hasn't been studied (and of course they don't do studies on these things with pregnant women).

bicyclesandbeyond · 09/01/2021 18:50

Yes! I've just had mine today. I'm a GP and TTC via IVF. Updated guidance came out last week saying you don't need to delay pregnancy after either vaccine. I had the Oxford one but would have also accepted Pfizer if that had been available.
Check out www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/updated-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-pregnancy-and-women-who-are-breastfeeding/
I know there is limited testing during pregnancy but I feel that risk of covid is higher than any risk from the vaccine.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 09/01/2021 19:21

I've got an appointment this week for mine, lab staff, so we actually run the covid tests. We were TTC, but when the vaccine was approved we stopped. I've just had a needle stick injury so have to wait 3 months in case it gave me HIV or some other blood bourne virus (it is a teeny tiny, but still is a potential risk).

So that takes us to march before we're ready, and that's my 2nd dose. I hadn't read the article @bicyclesandbeyond just posted, so very excited about that, thank you very much for sharing, thats my Saturday night reading sorted!!

IDontMindMarmite · 09/01/2021 19:27

Thanks for the link @bicyclesandbeyond. I work in the NHS and had my jab today. The GP administering it to me said to avoid TTC for 3 months after the second jab. I understand they have to be cautious but there is a lot more to it and I trust the Royal College in your link.

bicyclesandbeyond · 09/01/2021 19:57

@IDontMindMarmite yeah that was the original advice but it's been replaced with the guidance above. It seems that most people (including clinicians giving the vaccine!) haven't had the memo and are still giving out the old information. The RCOG link above clearly states there is no need to delay TTC. I'm on a doctors Facebook group and lots on there TTC/pregnant/breastfeeding are having it.

IDontMindMarmite · 09/01/2021 19:59

Great to know thank you

bicyclesandbeyond · 09/01/2021 20:28

@TheLovleyChebbyMcGee meant to say I'm sorry about your needle stick injury - it's rubbish you had to deal with that on top of everything else x

TheDaydreamBelievers · 09/01/2021 22:41

I had decided not to, given TTC. Also had a recent MMC so felt I'd be very anxious about anything that could affect it all (to clarify I know that there is no evidence either vaccine would have any negative impact). I will take a look at the updated guidance, thank you x

Original poster
xem87 · 10/01/2021 08:09

It's so hard to know! I can book the Pfizer one for next week - we have been TTC this month... Just starting TWW.... is it safe or should I wait for period? Is Oxford or Pfizer one best in this situation xx

OP posts:
Original poster
xem87 · 10/01/2021 08:12

To book it says you must tick not pregnant or planning too..

OP posts:
CC2021 · 10/01/2021 09:18

Thank you for posting this! I just posted the same thing and now saw your thread.

We will be TTC soon, also hoping to have vaccine soon - healthcare student on NHS placements. Following this thread with interest.

IDontMindMarmite · 10/01/2021 09:51

@xem87

To book it says you must tick not pregnant or planning too..
I didn't have to do anything to book. Funny how its different.
CC2021 · 10/01/2021 09:55

With the booking and having to specify, chances are they just haven't updated their form in line with the new guidance.

polkadotpixie · 10/01/2021 10:41

I'm going to have it. I'm also planning to TTC shortly

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 10/01/2021 12:07

Thanks @bicyclesandbeyond, I know the stats and how tiny the risk is, but yeah, on top of everything else I could've done without it!

Emma9876 · 10/01/2021 13:43

I went and spoke to a Dr the other day who is prescribing the vaccine and she said it's absolutely fine to have whilst TTC.

NamechangeTTC · 10/01/2021 13:51

I saw the new update and would take if offered. I'm due it in the next few weeks. I'm actually pregnant now though so I'm less certain and think it comes down to risk assessment.

DeeDee20 · 10/01/2021 15:24

Hi ladies. Thank you for all the information you have provided. I’m nhs but not front line and have been offered the vaccine next week. I feel so torn. I have got my head around delaying ttc for the vaccine but I’m just worried now that if I have it a problem with the vaccine might come out in the future therefore I should carry on ttc. I’m classed as low risk from COVID. I just keep going round in circles and reading too much.
I asked my GP for advise and she said she knows no more than me. Not very helpful. I’m 34 and have been ttc for 7 months now. X

CC2021 · 10/01/2021 15:30

@DeeDee20 in your position I'd have the vaccine and keep on TTC. The only reason I'd have to think twice is if I was actually pregnant and not front line. Are there any problems in particular you're worried about?

Tiredmum100 · 10/01/2021 15:45

I was asked if I was pregnant or TTC before I had the vaccine. The person who vaccinated me said if I did get pregnant to go to my GP as they'd be very interested. 🤷‍♀️. I dont want any more children so it doesn't matter to me. Truthfully if I was TTC I would probably wait a few years before having the vaccine, but that's just my personal preference. I can't see there being any potential side effects from having the vaccine and getting pregnant but I wouldn't want to take the chance until we know about the long term effects if having the vaccine. Again that's just my opinion and not based on any facts or research at all.

IDontMindMarmite · 10/01/2021 16:00

I wonder what the risks are of contracting covid whilst pregnant? Because thats the alternative risk to consider isn't it?

I know that historically, the incidence of Psychosis increases ( 17 years of so!) after flu pandemics which is considered to be due to maternal stress during gestation.

mummabubs · 10/01/2021 16:06

Not TTC (per se!) but I'm 22 weeks pregnant and am also a frontline nhs worker. I've received my staff invite to have the vaccine and it did say on the info leaflet not to book if you're pregnant or breastfeeding (but nothing about ttc). Like you OP I work on a "non-covid" ward, however we have had several outbreaks of covid amongst patients in the last few months so I've pushed to still be vaccinated and have been approved. The updated RCOG guidance was enough for them to respect my decision to persue vaccination during pregnancy and I'm aware of other workers in my team who are ttc and still having the vaccine if that helps :)

DeeDee20 · 10/01/2021 16:15

@CC2021 thank you. I think im weighing up each side, not having it and risk getting COVID whilst ttc and through pregnancy or get the vaccine and risk the unknown of the side effects to do with potential ttc and pregnancy. I even wrote a pro and con list with it all pointing to having the vaccine to protect my self and potential future pregnancy but I just freeze booking it because of the “what ifs”.
So far I think it looks safe for me to have it, wait till the second dose and start trying again but “what if”.
Sorry for going round in circles xx

CC2021 · 10/01/2021 16:51

No need to apologise @DeeDee20 it's understandable to feel unsure. Not helped by guidance changing so rapidly.

For me I think isn't the risk of fever with covid a potentially really bad thing for the baby during the 3rd trimester? I think from my limited reading, that's the biggest risk of covid to the baby during pregnancy. I might be wrong though.