Pregnant women who've had the vaccine please

[sarahin2021]

Hi, I'd appreciate hearing stories from pregnant women who've received the covid vaccine during their pregnancy.

I don't want to debate the right and wrongs of doing it, the guidance says it's safe, many thousands of women in the US have been vaxxed pregnant with no ill effect, there's evidence third trimester women are more vulnerable, and I respect your personal choice if you decide not to, your body your choice. I have risk factors and I'm totally committed to being vaccinated ASAP.

As my age range gets closer (hurrah!!!!) what I would like to hear is experiences from those who have.

• anyone been since they recommended an alternative to AZ? How does that work - do you just show up and they can accommodate that or do you need a special appointment?

• any side effects to prepare for?

• any positive stories to fuel my excitement that my fear and anxiety might soon wane once I have the jab? Thank you!

Gov guidance has been updated to say that Pfizer and Moderna are the preferred vaccines in pregnancy.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-women-of-childbearing-age-currently-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding/covid-19-vaccination-a-guide-for-women-of-childbearing-age-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding

Yes! Thank you. How does that work in practice? Wondering if you turn up for your appointment and they always have enough stock? I recall some places can't store Pfizer so wondering if you need a special appointment (guessing my age range could be called in the next couple of weeks).

I had mine as a nurse and had my second this week. I had Pfizer. No real side effects. I feel a little tired but that’s probably pregnancy plus non sleeping toddler than vaccine. I feel so much safer having had the vaccine than I did before. I don’t know if my choice would have been different if I didn’t do the job I do though.

I've just become eligible to book so I clicked on the link and it says ring your GP or midwife if you're pregnant. I rang my GP as I haven't seen a midwife yet (only 7 weeks) and they gave me the number for my local hub who they said could arrange it - you have to book in advance if you want a specific vaccine so they can guarantee it's available

Ahh that's really helpful to know, thank you.

I had my first one quiet a few of weeks ago now when I was about 15 weeks my GP and midwife agreed i should wait until the first trimester was over (not sure why), I was eligible because I'm in the shielding group, got my second one in a couple of weeks time, I had no side effects really apart from a bit of a heavy arm I had the Pfizer

I had my last week. Just rang up the booking line let them know I'm pregnant and need either Pfizer or Moderna and they search the system to see where is offering those vaccines and booked me in really quick once you get through. I had the Pfizer and didn't have any side effects apart from slight sore arm.

I had Pfizer last week - no side effects apart from an achy arm for a couple of days. I had to fight hard for my GP surgery to facilitate me having the Pfizer but it sounds like the National booking service has been updated and can do this for you now. If not then arm yourself with all the RCOG advice and make sure your GP accommodates you.

Following this thread with interest OP. I’m 28 weeks next week and over 35 with higher BMI so technically become a particularly vulnerable category. I’m also a primary teacher so can’t go with the advice to distance properly at work. I’m 37 so guessing the call will be soon for the vaccine but I’m worried about the longer term effects on the child that obviously no one can know about. I was all for waiting for my due date in July but as others have said what about the risks to me now. My year group’s colleague’s class at school had to go of isolating last week because of a positive case. I’m confused!

Great to hear that so many had had it and been fine.

I have had both doses of AZ. Very pleased to have done so. Personally I chose to avoid the first trimester as I was worried about the risk of getting a temperature (although this was probably irrational and I have colleagues who had it in the first trimester without issues). I'm very pleased to have had it, as the risks of getting Covid in pregnancy, especially the third trimester are well established.

Given that at present Pfizer/Moderns are recommended over AZ you may have to travel further or go to a specific session for it. Where I live the vast, vast majority of vaccinations are AZ. It's not necessarily a matter of 'making sure your GP accommodates you' - they may not have any of the correct vaccine to give.

I had my first does if AZ at 32 weeks due to BMI, which was before the advice came out to have the other 2. I did specifically ask when I booked my jab if I could have the Pfizer as all the studies I based my decision on were for that and was told they would see what they could do on the day.
I turned up and they gave me the jab then told me after that I had the AZ - I didn't think to ask so more fool me.
Side effects wise, I was really poorly that night with the shivers and struggling to control my temp and the next day had really achy back and legs but that only lasted one day.

@PurpleFlower1983

Following this thread with interest OP. I’m 28 weeks next week and over 35 with higher BMI so technically become a particularly vulnerable category. I’m also a primary teacher so can’t go with the advice to distance properly at work. I’m 37 so guessing the call will be soon for the vaccine but I’m worried about the longer term effects on the child that obviously no one can know about. I was all for waiting for my due date in July but as others have said what about the risks to me now. My year group’s colleague’s class at school had to go of isolating last week because of a positive case. I’m confused!

I was similar as I was concerned about the effects long term.

Have a look at this, it helped me make my decision and addresses a number of questions

go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=2006145259541323&ref=watch_permalink

I had the AZ early in my first trimester (before knowing I was pregnant) due to an underlying health condition. Am in my second trimester now and due to get the second dose. Benefits outweigh the risks for me personally! Obviously I’d have preferred Pfizer or Moderna now they’re the recommended ones but it’s simply because they have data of use in pregnant women whereas AZ doesn’t. Doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, just that the data isn’t there. Obviously there’s the blood clot issue too (of course very rare though) but I didn’t get a clot with the first so not likely to with the second!

Thanks to those who've shared their stories, good to know I may need to go via GP when my age group is called. I'm so excited to feel less stressed about covid - and if the baby gets some immunity that's even better.

Interesting that so many countries have made pregnant women a priority for the vaccine.

This study says 100000 US women have now been vaxxed safely in the US

www.pharmacytimes.com/view/new-study-shows-pfizer-and-moderna-covid-19-vaccines-are-safe-in-pregnancy

I believe most places do different clinics for different vaccines so as long as you ensure you're booked into the right one it'll be ok. Make it clear about your the RCOG guidance, rather than you 'wanting' a certain vaccine.
My DH has been involved in vaccine roll out as a GP. GP surgeries don't get to choose what vaccine they get from the CCG. I believe nationally there is a lot more stock of AZ as well as it being easier to transport/keep.
I'm in my first trimester and 32 and I'm 95% sure I will get it when I can.

@Rubyrecka

I had my last week. Just rang up the booking line let them know I'm pregnant and need either Pfizer or Moderna and they search the system to see where is offering those vaccines and booked me in really quick once you get through. I had the Pfizer and didn't have any side effects apart from slight sore arm.

Can i ask what number you rang?

I am 19 weeks pregnant. Had my vaccine at 13 weeks (AZ - guidelines were not out yet), 24hours flu like symptoms then all good. So glad I had it (in priority group 6).

It’s right that GP surgeries don’t necessarily get to choose what vaccines they have, however they can order what is called a “baby box” of 90 Pfizer jabs to accommodate specific health needs. There was also a letter sent to all GPs almost 2 weeks ago stating what they needed to do in order to accommodate the choice for pregnant women. I had to make my GP surgery aware of this and was immediately offered the Pfizer vaccine once they realised how they had to go about doing it.

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2021/04/c1259-jcvi-announcement-regarding-covid-19-vaccination-during-pregnancy-and-next-steps.pdf

I had the pfizer about 3 weeks ago (roughly 33 weeks). No side affects except a achy arm at the injection site. I had to fight my doctors really hard to get it, despite being invited due to health conditions as no vaccine centres near me are licensed for pregnant women.

Eventually after a email from my midwife they booked me in but then cancelled as they wouldn't give me the astrazeneca, but a doctor at the vaccine site rebooked me for the next day for pfizer as they do alternate days near me.

@sarahin2021

Yes! Thank you. How does that work in practice? Wondering if you turn up for your appointment and they always have enough stock? I recall some places can't store Pfizer so wondering if you need a special appointment (guessing my age range could be called in the next couple of weeks).

I haven't had mine yet or been called as I'm in my mid 30's but as far as I understand my practice is co-ordinating special circumstances like pregnancy in our area so would be vaccinated through them rather than our local hub. I see my midwife next week so hopefully find out more then.

I wouldn't have had the vaccine in the first trimester as I think if something was going to go wrong developmentally that's when it would happen, 2nd & 3rd trimester are more about growing and strengthening and small developments rather than major organ growth etc. Plus given the risk of miscarriage is higher in the first trimester I wouldn't want to spend my life wondering if I'd caused it if having a vaccine and miscarriage coincided regardless of that being a highly unlikely cause. These are obviously my personal feelings and not based on any guidance or medical data.