Pregnancy and ttc with vaccine?

[Laytwir024]

Does anyone know the update on this?

Dh and I are planning to ttc end of June/July. We are early 30s no underlying health conditions. I take this to mean that at the very luckiest we wll have had one jab.

If it is still recommended to NOT gave the jab in pregnancy, our options are basically:

1. Not have any vaccine and have the whole pregnancy unvaccinated (slightly terrifying and may need to shield??). Obviously this period continues for a while if it takes a while ttc.

1. Have one dose of vaccine, wait a bit then ttc and not get a second dose?

1. Wait until I've had both doses and at least 3 weeks after that to ttc. Isn't this October/November at the earliest? Sounds very first world but don't really want to put life on hold.

@EarthieBear

Unless there's a specific reason you need to start TTC now (IVF or risk factor for infertility) then it's a bit irresponsible to TTC during a pandemic in my opinion.

It just adds extra strain on the NHS staff who are already working their socks off. I think it's best to wait a few months, get vaccinated, and then TTC.

There was actually a birth lull in the early stages! A drop in pregnancies. In the nicest way possible, I dont think people should just stop having children. I agree if it was only a year (and as I said, pregnancy rates dropped initially). Even if I am lucky enough to conceive immediately, by the time tbe baby is born we will be even further out of it. And if not? Well even more reason to start as women can't wait forever.

I’m holding off until 3 months after second dose.

One dose of any of the vaccines should help significantly if you're exposed during pregnancy and it's unlikely to be make more than a couple of weeks difference to your plans, so I'd wait until after the first dose. You might also find the issue is solved if you get Janssen or as you're near the end of the queue the mRNA second dose could be sped up, or you might not conceive for months and be able to get your second jab.

I decided to wait to TTC. I work for the NHS and had my first vaccine in January. I was due my second next week but it's been pushed back a week so it'll be April before we can TTC. I'm 37 in May so not young but decided I'd rather be protected

[quote EarthieBear]@Trinacham I do realise that, like I said it was just my opinion too and cannot know everyone's situations for sure.

I am genuinely worried about NHS staff not getting a break - so many have been through so much and I don't think the system can continue plastering the cracks up for much longer.[/quote]

But would it make much difference? It's not like midwives are being deployed on Covid wards, they're just doing their ordinary jobs, surely?

Also you could argue we need to have more children than ever to pay back the ever growing debts we are accumulating for the future generations

@midwives are not the only people who help with pregnancies...

Since pandemics always last a good few years, I'm not sure it's wise advice to tell virtually everyone to stop TTC for that entire period. And it's almost always said by people who have completed their family unit or have no desire for children.

If I was in your position I would be looking to get the first vaccine dosage at least as that's what provides the vast majority of the protection.

I don't think it's kind to suggest that people should replan pregnancy for what would become years due to the pandemic, especially anyone over 35. It's already been a year and will be at least into next year to be sure we have passed through the other side even if infections tail off from now as we hope. If someone leaves TTC a long time and they can't conceive, then they will always wonder "what if I tried sooner". Children are life-changing, but so is being unable to have any. If someone is much younger or wants to wait then that's great. Waiting a couple of months for a vaccine that will protect mum and baby is reasonable. But it isn't a fair thing to ask of a couple who want to become a family that they should continue to wait through this year too.

@namechangemarch21

One other thing to add OP: the head of one of the largest maternity hospitals in Ireland came out and publicly said he thought that pregnant women should be vaccinated and actually brought higher up the vaccination schedule. This was based on a couple of things, including a small cluster of stillbirths in babies with COVID-positive mothers which they can't figure out (they're an international anomaly) but they clearly don't think there's a risk to pregnant women getting it vs the potential risk (in a small no of cases) of getting covid

Similar to this I was going to say that in New York State, pregnant women are grouped in with the people who have underlying conditions that make them eligible for the vaccine, due to concerns about pregnant women being at higher risk. So this adds weight to not wanting to be pregnant without the vaccine. (I’m not sure exactly how unusual New York is in this respect, it’s just the one place I’m aware of).

@Circumlocutious

Since pandemics always last a good few years, I'm not sure it's wise advice to tell virtually everyone to stop TTC for that entire period. And it's almost always said by people who have completed their family unit or have no desire for children.

If I was in your position I would be looking to get the first vaccine dosage at least as that's what provides the vast majority of the protection.

Think you're spot on with that. Only those not planning to do it or have already done it can easily say 'don't do it' and criticise those that are TTC soon. It makes them sound very selfish. Those of us who are in the same boat wouldn't be so insensitive. It's a massive life changing thing and a very personal one that no one should be judging.

I am in the same boat - IVF delayed... Could go again, but deciding to wait.

Maybe don't make assumptions about things you don't know.

@EarthieBear

I am in the same boat - IVF delayed... Could go again, but deciding to wait.

Maybe don't make assumptions about things you don't know.

Perhaps don't assume yourself then. Nobody named you. I have seen plenty other people with your views on various forums and I believe the majority are probably not in the same boat, which is what I was talking about!

It’s a tough decision for sure. Personally, I wouldn’t put off ttc.
DH and I tried for over a year before I caught (both in our twenties), I’m now 8 weeks pregnant(ish) and had my first vaccine 11 weeks ago. I’m not concerned, I weighed up my options and the information available to me, that’s all anyone can do. Best of luck x

Wait for the vax. You should get dose 1 by end jul so nov for dose 2.
Maternity is full of appts.
Urine tests.
2 scans
Birth
Health visitors
Etc

Plus i had a nasty fever with the vax and ideally you dont want fevers during pg. though i did during both mine as i catch all bugs.
But also
Stress of appts like this and worry as cv from 28w.
More likelihood of no epidural
And it is incredibly hard to breath at the end when the baby is overlapping your ribs, i really would not have wanted covid at that stage.

Will having the vax before pg pass on the immunity to the baby?
Plus maternity services will be high risk for a while if pg women havent had the jab.
In 6-8 the other pg women will maybe more likely vaxxed

I would try with a bloke first

From what I understand a lot of women (mainly healthcare) are having the vaccine while pregnant, so you can get it if you wish? Although I understand you make not want the risk. I’m almost 37 weeks and have lived life ‘normally’ (under current restrictions). I personally wouldn’t put life on hold for a pandemic that’s going to be with us for the long term.

@mummabubs hi lovely, can i ask how your pregnancy is going? Xx

@everysunrise Of course 😊 I actually gave birth two weeks ago after being induced. (My consultant didn't really want me going past my due date due to a pre-existing condition). Baby girl born perfectly healthy and I've been further reassured by the preliminary research findings from America (albeit small sample sizes) which are suggestive that babies of vaccinated mothers appear to have some protection against Covid via the placenta pre-birth and via breast milk afterwards. 😊

@mummabubs Congratulations!! Amazing news 🥰 Was it the Pfizer vaccine that you had? X

@everysunrise Thank you 😊 Yes, pfizer both times x