Just been invited for the vaccine!

[LJZRBB]

I’m only 7 weeks tomorrow. If I decline now I will no doubt go to the bottom of the list.

Such conflicting advice online.

What would you do? Or have any pregnant ladies had it?

You said that the doctors didn't seem to know.

You could have easily been flagged for BMI as you could've a previous stroke. It wasn't a wild leap to make.

However, there's no tone. You don't have a BMI over 40, that wasn't clear before.

If you did it would make sense to try and lose weight!

@LJZRBB I work in the NHS and therefore have been offered the vaccine through work. I spoke to an obstetrician about it, contacted through PALS as I hadn't had any appointments at the hospital at the time. She talked me through the risks and benefits and clearly knew what she was talking about. She also advised that if you are pregnant you will need a letter from an obstetrician saying you have discussed the vaccine with them. For what it's worth, I'm getting it after the discussion I had. You need to speak to a clinician, not Mumsnet. Hope that helps and good luck!

The government keep track of outcomes from the vaccine as part of the yellow card scheme - data is available up to the end of January here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting

Basically, of those who have had the vaccine while pregnant, they report similar frequency of side effects (stiff arm, mostly) and there has been no increase in observed negative outcomes for pregnancy.

I'm pregnant and vulnerable, and an immunologist so I've done a lot of research into the vaccines. As soon as I'm able to, I'll be getting the vaccine. The covid vaccine stimulates the same immune response as if I caught covid, but the vaccine isn't trying to attack me at the same time. The risk of covid to me is worse than any vaccine risks, especially with so much data becoming available. Would you feel more comfortable waiting until the second trimester? The surgery should be able to let you pass now and book in in another 5 weeks if it would make you more comfortable.

I was invited too - I called the doctor and they said the system wasn't picking up pregnancy so I shouldn't have been sent it. However they said once I'm able to have it I can just call the GP and book now that I've been invited.

@LJZRBB

I am vulnerable I guess. Don’t like to admit it or think of myself I that way (stroke). I wasn’t asked to shield or anything.

I do have a high list bmi to, so I do think if I got COVID it would be nasty.

@Amichelle84 did you make the choice? Or did your doctor/midwife guide you?

@LJZRBB I made the decision but did discuss it with my consultant who agreed with me. I then had to explain it to the GP who let me book it. Even on the day they tried to block me from having it until I explained again.

Hi @LJZRBB sorry you're dealing with some tricky comments. It sounds like you know this already but pregnancy is not the time to try to address any weight concerns - COVID or not! NHS and NICE say that losing weight during pregnancy will not help reduce complications and may not be safe. A bit disappointing to see those comments really.

On the vaccine one of my friends is a Dr and is breastfeeding. She said that there's nothing in the vaccine that would make her concerned about having it in pregnancy or during breastfeeding but it hasn't been tested so they can't say it's definitely safe. Getting a bad case of COVID while pregnant does have risks which is known. My friend has had the vaccine because she was more worried about the COVID risk.

It's a tricky decision but in your position if I thought I was at high risk of a bad case of COVID I probably would have the vaccine. Honestly though - there isn't a lot of evidence one way or the other and I could understand you making either choice. Thankfully the risk to you and baby seem to be low whichever route you choose.

The RCOG guidance someone linked is actually pretty helpful in setting everything out.

I'm 32+5 and I got my invitation the other day. Strictly speaking I fall into the group 6 category due to pre-existing conditions, but none of which place me at high risk so assumed I'd be invited in the summer at some point. Was a surprise to get the invite and gutted that I need to turn it down!

I won’t be having it whilst pregnant or breastfeeding personally.

Thanks for that @PlanBea , really informative. I wondered if towards end of second trimester might be a good compromise so I'll be using the link you sent to keep an eye on the data nearer the time for me.

Hello, just wanted to say I had the Oxford at 6 weeks pregnant last week. I'm NHS patient facing so was offered, work wouldn't vaccinate me but I called my GP and he was happy to go ahead in a local centre. I know it's a bold decision but otherwise I'm going to be constantly worrying about catching covid and not knowing the implications. I know other woman on my pregnancy group who has done the same... If you want to have the vaccine chat to your GP and read as much as you can. I think once you're invited that invite still stands if that makes sense so you might not need to make a decision straight away?

I don’t think if you say no that you will go to the bottom of the list.
If you can’t make an appointment most people are just given the option of booking 48 hours or so after.
Tbh, by the time you have had your baby it may be more available for anyone who hasn’t already had it anyway.
I certainly wouldn’t have had the vaccine during pregnancy.