Thoughts on having the vaccination when pregnant

[TheUnquestionedAnswer]

Had a quick look in this section but couldn't find any threads on this. Is the general census of opinion that it's ok to have whilst pregnant?

I think it’s very much a personal choice.

I know two people IRL who are pregnant and both are choosing to have the vaccine once they’ve given birth.

Pfizer is approved for use in pregnancy.

Here's the RCOG guidance 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/

My opinion is dont! It has never been tested on pregnant woman and I think the unknown risks of the vaccine on pregnancy and the baby far outweigh the risks of waiting until the baby is born in my own personal opinion.
Despite the exaggerated news stories, prevalence of the virus is still low and I would hazard a guess that if you are pregnant that you are therefore in the age range which gives you a 99% chance of survival.

I’m currently 7 weeks. I had my first dose of AZ before falling pregnant and my second one at 5 weeks. Obviously most people who are pregnant who haven’t had it yet won’t be getting AZ but Pfizer or Moderna which the Royal College of Gynaecologists say is fine to have.

I’m 19 weeks and had it on Friday OP. Trials have been done with pregnant women, 90,000 women in the USA without any adverse outcomes on mother’s or babies.

New information shows the risks of premature and stillbirth are increased if you catch Covid in the third trimester, as is the serverity for the mother. It wasn’t an easy choice to make and I feel pregnant women are currently being very let down with a lack of advice.

I wasn’t going to but in the end had Pfizer at 34 weeks pregnant when I knew I’d be staying in hospital for induction.
I had no side affects. I’m so glad I had it as we ended up in hospital 4 nights / 5 full days and at many points on mixed wards. My birth was very complicated and if I’d been suffering with Covid during it too- honestly feel I / baby may not have made it.
I’m glad baby has some anti bodies from the vaccine and all in all glad I had it. I read a lot from scientists about how the vaccine works/ possible affects on baby and felt the risk of any issues to my child longer term were absolutely minuscule.

I would get it. I had the swine flu vax in 2010 when I was pregnant. All okay.

I’m 26 weeks and had Pfizer a few weeks ago- second dose due in August so should have best immunity in time for my due date. My DH is a GP and felt it was a no brainer to have it due to the risks of being ill/ infectious around due date, which would be a massive headache apart from the actual health risks (I was worrying about this too).

I also did some reading myself, and found the Pregnant then Screwed/ Stella Creasy webinar very informative also - it’s on YouTube. As a PP said, there have been large numbers of pregnant women vaccinated in the US using the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines which is why those are the ones recommended in pregnancy, as we have the data from them.

There’s no way of selecting which vaccine you get when booking, although I called 119 and they reassured me that everyone under 40 is now getting Moderna or Pfizer anyway so no need to further specify that you’re pregnant. If you’re older than 40 I’m not sure what happens but I’m sure there will be a process to book the right vaccine.

I had no side effects beyond a sore arm around the vaccination site for a few days.

It's a personal choice, I know 2 who've had it (one AZ, one Pfizer) and 2 who are waiting (one had covid last year so that had an influence on her decision). It's safe and covid can be dreadful in pregnancy, but pregnancy is a worrying time in general so you need to do whatever on balance you feel most comfortable with for you and the baby rather than think about what anyone what is up to. Read the information linked above from RCOG, talk to your consultant or midwife and talk to your DH, then decide.

I had my first Pfizer at 14 weeks and my second will be at 28. I had a bad stomach the night after my first but that was it.

I battled with the decision but the Indian variant a swayed it for me. America have vaccinated over 100,000 pregnant women. I goggle it quite often and so far there have been no bad reports.

It's your choice op but you should way up your risk factor. Will you be in contact with lots of people, do you have other children at school, do it work outside of your home. My risk factor was too high not to have it x

Personally I wouldn't. I had the moderna vaccine just over a week ago. Have had majorly reduced milk supply (breastfeeding) since. I have raised a yellow card. Don't like what it has done to my body. If it's done that then god knows the long term effects. Wishing I didn't get it now

@Terriblecreature

Personally I wouldn't. I had the moderna vaccine just over a week ago. Have had majorly reduced milk supply (breastfeeding) since. I have raised a yellow card. Don't like what it has done to my body. If it's done that then god knows the long term effects. Wishing I didn't get it now

Breastfeeding supply can go down if you don't have enough liquid, personally I found that I needed a LOT of water after each jab to not get dehydration headaches. I had AZ, but it's similar of course, I have to drink a lot more liquid anyway for breastfeeding but got to over 4 litres spread through the day each time. I recommend that you try drinking quite a lot more water, plus standard supply increase foods e.g. eat more oats and barley, plus garlic. I can't have fenugreek because I have an interactive thyroid and it interferes with my medication, but that's supposed to be good too. I hope it sorts out quickly for you and your little one.

*underactive not interactive, if only it would interact that might be helpful!

When I went for Pfizer they said they're not advising it in the first trimester, but fine thereafter. They also said if someone falls pregnant between first and second dose they recommend delaying the second dose till after the 12 weeks is up.

I'm TTC at the moment so it was tricky because there was a very small chance I was pg (but with dates hugely unlikely). They said if I wanted to I should get a pregnancy test and then delay first dose until second trimester.

If you're worried have a chat with the nurse. I did and they were hugely knowledgeable and talked me through all my options and timings etc

If I’d been offered it earlier I would have gone for it in pregnancy as while pregnant women are young enough to not be in an at risk group our lung capacity is reduced which would make getting covid or any lung issue much worse. I don’t have asthma or anything like that but sometimes I’d feel a real strain on my breathing. Unfortunately though my vaccine appointment was at my due date and I decided to just delay it as it takes time to work so wouldn’t protect me while pregnant and if I had an adverse reaction then I didn’t want that at the same time as labour.

I had my first Pfizer jab on Friday at 35 weeks. I spoke to my midwife and did my own reading and felt that the risks of me catching it ahead of giving birth far outweighed any risk from the vaccine. I know I won't have full coverage as my second jab isn't booked until about 6 weeks after my due date but it is better than nothing. I had absolutely no side effects from the jab ..maybe a slightly sore arm the next day

It is not true that no pregnant women have suffered severe effects from the vaccine.

OP, if you google ‘Trial Site News Tess Lawrie Letter’ you will find a doctor’s letter to the MRHA setting out her concerns, which include concerns about using these vaccines during pregnancy. I am unable to link but it is worth reading to be fully informed.

Of course if you are clinically vulnerable you may feel that covid is not a risk you can take.

I wish you the best.

I'm 12 weeks and waiting until 14 weeks to get the vaccine. Only because of the risk of fever from the vaccine and a fever can cause complications in the first trimester. Covid can cause complications in the third trimester so to me it sounded sensible to get both vaccine shots in the second trimester.

thanks all - it's my daughter that is pregnant. She works in close contact with the public and I wanted something to show her; this is very helpful.