Covid booster

[Sophie721]

Hello, I’m currently 8 weeks pregnant and had my flu jab this week. I have my Covid jab booked in for tomorrow but I’m not sure whether to push it until the second trimester or cancel completely. My booking midwife urged I get it and then my new midwife basically told me I don’t need it.
Confused and terrified.

Odds are in your favour that you'll be fine either way. I'd say follow your gut instincts on this one. You know deep down what is best for you and your baby xx

Get it. Covid can damage the placenta

COVID-19 infection can also adversely affect the pregnancy. In pregnant women with symptoms of COVID-19, it is twice as likely their baby will be born early, exposing the baby to the risks of prematurity. A study also found that pregnant women who tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of birth were more likely to develop pre-eclampsia or need an emergency caesarean. Their risk of stillbirth was twice as high, although the actual number of stillbirths remains low.

https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-women-s-health/vaccination/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding-faqs/

@Sophie721 Personally I would have it as I defer to RCOG guidance on this kind of thing, but of course it's a personal decision. They provide evidence based advice and their focus is of the safety of mums and their babies.

You can find info on their website about recommended vaccines in pregnancy and the evidence behind their recommendations.

From RCOG:

We strongly encourage all pregnant women to have the COVID-19 booster vaccination as it provides the best protection against the virus for you and your baby.

When in pregnancy can I be vaccinated?

COVID-19 vaccines are considered to be very safe and effective at any stage of pregnancy. There’s no evidence that you need to delay vaccination until after the first 12 weeks.

I would have it personally. I'm booked in tomorrow at 23 weeks. A little nervous but I know it's for the best x

Ps. I also had it with my first at around 14 weeks I think? We did catch covid when he was really young, and he was fine and had very mild symptoms, so did I. My DH was not fine!

So I really think it works x

We’ve just had Covid, new variant, presumably. Wasn’t pleasant. Please get your jab. Really wouldn’t want you feeling as we did.

@Sophie721 my DD is 30 weeks pregnant and is having her booster this weekend. She is also a vaccinologist (though not currently working for obvious reasons!).

I'm not getting covid booster. I said no to it and the midwife didn't even mention it. Go with your gut x

I’m pregnant (28 weeks) and had my Covid booster and flu jab last week (and just had the whooping cough vaccine today).

Of course you should get it. Pregnant women are far more susceptible to developing serious illness from Covid and flu, especially in the third trimester. I got vaccinated to reduce my chances of getting very ill with a high fever that damages baby’s development and growth, or developing serious respiratory symptoms which affect my and baby’s oxygen supply. Also, whilst I’ve had Covid twice before and had mild illness, pregnancy can play havoc with immune systems and no guarantees it would be mild again.

Getting vaccinated reduces my risk of serious illness from Covid and flu and protects me and my baby. The downsides are minimal if any (this was my 4th Covid jab and maybe my 7th annual flu vaccine (many offices / professional workplaces offer them) - side effects limited to a sore arm and felt a bit tired the next day).

It’s an absolute no brainer. And I say this as a “crunchy” second-time mother who had a totally natural first birth and is wary even of paracetamol in pregnancy.

Get your jabs and give thanks to modern science.

Hello, thank you all so much for the advice. I’ll definitely have it, the pharmacist rang me today and said he recommended waiting until my second trimester to be safe so that’s my plan. I’ve rebooked and I’m going to try to be really careful for the next few weeks until we’re protected again - feeling really reassured by you everyone ❤️