Covid vaccine

[Nashsophie13]

Hi all. I know this is going to be a very divided chat. But I'm wondering what everyone's views are on being pregnant and having the vaccine? I really didn't want to have it done and i haven't been called for it yet as I'm 33. Previously had a miscarriage so this time round I'm even more skeptical of things. I'm now wondering whether I should get it when I'm asked. It's a hard one isn't it

[Bizawit]

Knowing the new risks of miscarriage due to the UK variety

@shivawn what does this mean? Haven’t heard anything like this?

[BabyC21]

@Bizawit that’s what we are experiencing in Ireland its B117 strain. I won’t post articles as I don’t want to post sensationalised stuff but basically we saw no increase in still births in Ireland last year but since January and the new strain we have seen 11 cases of covid placentitis in pregnant women. 6 of which have resulted in still births and 1 in miscarriage. These seem small but bare in mind Ireland has about 50,000 pregnant women a year so 12.500 in the first 3 months. Some of these women had no symptoms of covid but it affected their babies. Then we also have pregnant women ending up in ICU, last week we had 3 pregnant women in ICU... seems small but we only have 45 people in total in ICU in the whole country so it’s actually a large number.
If you want more info google covid and pregnancy in Ireland, our government has only recently made us a priority category due to these issues

[Trinacham]

I'm sort of in the same boat (not expecting but TTC in the next week or so) and same age group as you. I think I will be refusing it at this time, when called. I saw a nasty reaction in a previously very healthy and fit family member (30s too). Of course the common argument is, covid could be riskier to a pregnant woman. But when the current rate is below 1 in 1000, I think I'd take that chance (but continue to be very careful with mixing with strangers).

[Bizawit]

@BabyC21 oh no that’s really scary 😨

[BabyC21]

@Bizawit apologies I don’t mean to scare you. It’s just better to know the facts. I think originally the thinking was it only affected high risk pregnant women but it seems to be completely random. However please note the risk is very very small still so not something to panic over but to be used to make an informed decision. What they are doing here when a pregnant woman tests positive rather than isolating for 10 day’s they are actually brought in for scans and checks as they can check the placenta then and manage it. 4 women had it caught and their babies were delivered early but with good outcomes cause it was caught though

[KHR1]

I'd like the vaccine but not too hopeful that I'll get an invite anytime soon. Currently 22 weeks and in the 18-30 category. I was group 6 due to my BMI but never got invited and couldn't book at the time with it not being recommended. I can completely undersand why some people wouldn't want it but with being unable to work from home, a very anxious person, vulnerable due to my BMI and then the idea of everything opening in June when I hit the third trimester I'd like it ASAP

[Bizawit]

Thanks @BabyC21 I agree it’s really important to be informed. Really helpful to have this information so I know to be aware 💪🏻

[Smurftastic]

@KHR I completely understand how you're feeling, I think pregnant women should be prioritised. I'm in the 30-40 age group so I'm hoping to get my vaccine in the next month or so, but I really don't think it's right to just leave younger pregnant women without a choice. Hopefully some better priority system will be implemented soon.

[Aozora13]

Just wanted to say thank you to posters advising on the Pfizer/Moderna jabs rather than AZ - I called up 119 and they said you don’t know what you’re getting on the day so pregnant women are advise to book via their GP rather than the mass vaccination sites. So have cancelled and will speak to doc.

[shivawn]

@Bizawit , @BabyC21 already explained it well before I saw your message. I'm also in Ireland. These miscarriages seem to be linked with the B117 variant which is why it wasn't an issue in 2020.

I work in a large hospital and anyone pregnant is put on paid leave right away because its such a concern (this is in spite of us all having the vaccine already).

[Lostintranslatio]

@shivawn @BabyC21 I am also based in Ireland. Only at 7w6d, but do you know who will manage this? GP? Maternity hospital?

[shivawn]

@Lostintranslatio Do you mean the vaccine or your treatment if you were to contract covid? I'm not sure but I think your GP should organise the vaccine, pregnant women are a priority group here now after 14 weeks.

[Lostintranslatio]

@shivawn thanks a mil! I was asking about the vaccine 😊 Can't wait to get a call for that!

[BabyC21]

@Lostintranslatio they are still working out the details. Mine was done in the maternity hospital but that’s a because I was already in a risk group. However I saw on the journal that it could be a mix of GP, hospital and mass vaccination centres. But yes as @shivawn said you won’t be able to get it until you are 14 weeks. Or at least it’s not advised to get it until then xx

[murmur12]

Great to see some decent and more informative advice on this. I am 37, so should be called soon and 5.5 wks pregnant. Tried to speak to the gp about updating the vaccine preference but they advised me to speak to 119, which I thought was bit of a nonsense advice and they of course directed me back to the gp as it has nothing to do with them. I just registered with the midwife so I hope she will be more helpful with this. I probably had covid back in March last year but testing wasn't really available back then. Had terrible 2 weeks with it when even going upstairs made me all tired for the day and of course no appetite, smell etc but compared to many people I got lucky and I don't think I had any long term effects. I am signed off for the next few weeks as they need to change my job due to the risk with preganacy but when I am back I am all around a lot of people so probably better vaccinated, although I probably have some antibodies from last year.

[PurpleFlower1983]

Some great posts on this thread. I’m coming up to 28 weeks and I’m 37 so likely to be called for my vaccine soon. I’ve been having the same debates as lots of you too.

[Seahawk80]

@peanutbutterandfluff it's so hard isn't it! I think I'm going to wait until post 14 weeks just to be sure. I definitely will have the vaccine when pregnant though as I've was that covid can cause complications in the 3rd trimester and I know someone who had to have her baby early and he was in the nicu and they couldn't see him for 10 days as they had tested positive and weren't allowed in the nicu. They are all fine now but it was a horrible traumatic start for them.

[Ava50x]

I'm currently 23 weeks and waiting to be invited for my jab!
I had covid right at the beginning of pregnancy- around 6 weeks and I was so ill, it was intolerable. Then suffered the misery of long covid, just starting to get some energy back. My memory is patchy. Its crazy.
And not to mention the extreme anxiety- is baby OK, etc etc.
For me the choice is very obvious- I want the vaccine as soon as I am offered it! There's no way i'd willingly risk going through all that again. But I appreciate its a difficult decision either way...
Wishing everyone well!!

[Nashsophie13]

Thank you everyone for all your responses to the thread. I’m pleased I started it up your all really helpful even though I am still no clearer on what to do personally 😂 I’m indecisive enough as it is normally without having to decide on this. I’m only 5 weeks at the moment and 33 so will be a little while for me to get called for one I reckon. Hopefully I’ll have my decision by then. Hope your all doing ok everyone x

[PurpleFlower1983]

Just to add to this thread, I have been to see the midwife today (both were there as one has just returned to work after long covid) and they said it was my choice but strongly inferred that they would not recommend it so I have decided to wait until after I give birth.

[PurpleFlower1983]

They said the lack of knowledge of what comes later/how it affects the child is concerning.

[BabyC21]

@PurpleFlower1983 honestly midwives are not qualified to advise on this, like they say they don’t know the long term outcomes which is true but the majority of them will not understand how these vaccines work and how they interact with the baby and the placenta. In this situation it sounds like they are giving personal opinions rather than professional. It’s completely your choice if you don’t get it but I would suggest getting a second or third opinion to make sure you have factual rather than emotive opinions

[MyBabyBoyBlue]

Just to provide another viewpoint, I've spoken to two doctors (one retired) both of whom strongly think pregnant women should be taking the vaccine when offered. Their reasoning is that covid when it affects pregnant women badly can have "devastating" long term effects and that the risk with a vaccine is lesser. They agree with delaying the jab until you're past the first trimester just in case but seem fairly relaxed that any potential risks of a new vaccine are outweighed by the benefit of being vaccinated as a vulnerable person.

Having said all of that, I'm still v much on the fence and will likely agonise over this until my appt next week! In the end it'll probably come down to a gut feeling of ok sure you can put that needle in my arm or god no, get that thing away from me and my baby!!

[PurpleFlower1983]

[quote BabyC21]@PurpleFlower1983 honestly midwives are not qualified to advise on this, like they say they don’t know the long term outcomes which is true but the majority of them will not understand how these vaccines work and how they interact with the baby and the placenta. In this situation it sounds like they are giving personal opinions rather than professional. It’s completely your choice if you don’t get it but I would suggest getting a second or third opinion to make sure you have factual rather than emotive opinions[/quote]
I get that! And I do agree, it’s just having two professionals so against it is quite worrying! Such a difficult choice!

[Nashsophie13]

@PurpleFlower1983 that’s interesting to know 😊 when I get my booking appointment I will as my midwife what she thinks. I still don’t think I will get it until after but will see x