Covid Vaccine

[SickOfCrap]

Are you guys taking the vaccine while pregnant? I'm very uncertain about it and I think I should wait?....

Nope I'm not

I’m leaning towards taking it. But speaking to others getting very mixed opinions...

There are heaps of threads over the last few weeks regarding getting the vaccine.

I was anti getting it - but have changed my mind. I would highly recommend watching the Stella Creasy/Pregnant then Screwed webinar. It's busts some myths and I felt was very reassuring.

Other thing to remember is that they are not offering AZ as there are not studies done on it yet. Over 100,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated in the US - many of which have birthed. So if you google Moderna safety data in pregnant women, you will find links to the data, which might help you decide.

I got a first dose last weekend, I'm under 30 and had Pfizer. Since it's been advised as safe I was more than happy to have it and the sooner the better in my opinion, but personally would avoid Oxford AZ. I completely respect those that choose not too though, it's definitely down to each individual.

At first I was against the idea.

Now I’m 39 weeks and unable to have the vaccine yet because of my age.

Apart from going for walks in our household Me and my DH are pretty much isolating from everyone now until the baby’s born because of either of us are covid positive for the birth he won’t be able to be there. It would also be a very rubbish time for either of us to be ill.

The last few months of pregnancy would have been a lot more enjoyable if we’d of had the vaccine. We could have enjoyed the unlocking the same as everyone else.

No worry of having to be ventilated and baby potentially delivered by c-section whilst I’m in an induced coma - I know this is a bit dramatic but it has happened to a number of women over the course of the pandemic. The lowered risk of transmission would also be welcome.

If I was newly pregnant now I’d bite your hand off to have to vaccine in my second trimester.

I had my first jab a couple of weeks ago. For me the benefits outweighed the risks.

When pregnant with my first child I loved the Emily Oster 'Expecting Better' book as I found it really helpful in allowing me to review risks myself (eg how dangerous is the odd coffee, paracetamol, exercise etc), and she did a recent blog post on the vaccine data which I found really reassuring: emilyoster.substack.com/p/new-data-on-pregnancy-and-vaccines

@PinkPlantCase This is pretty much what made me think I should have it. Reading all the safety data cemented by decision... but I have two friends who contracted Covid in 3rd trimester.

The first, both her and hubby tested positive. He wasn't allowed in the hospital. She was in intensive care/on oxygen until she delivered by C section. Her and baby had to stay in a Covid ward for 7 days post birth and daddy didn't meet his daughter for 8 days.

The second, worked from home, followed all the social distancing rules etc, but hubby bought Covid home from work. She was 33 weeks - and felt awful for 10 days. She has no ill effects - but has to take blood thinners until birth.

If I'm honest, it really hit home that even if I try to avoid it, I could still get it and the outcomes aren't great. Luckily both are ok (2nd hasn't delivered yet), but still!

@SillyBry it’s so worrying isn’t it! It must have been such a difficult time for your friends.

What’s funny about us isolating now is that we don’t know if it’ll last for 3 more weeks or if I’ll have the baby tomorrow 😂 luckily my DH works from home and before I started May leave my work had only just started the transition back to the office and were happy for me to stay completely at home until my leave started.

If I were a few months behind though I think works expectations would have been different whether I’d been vaccinated or not.

I had my second AZ today at 5+3. I had the first back in March before I fell pregnant - my high BMI means I fall into the vulnerable category. It would have been better not to have the AZ but I didn’t have any problems after the first (which was before all the stuff about blood clots came out) and the advice was not not mix doses so I went ahead with it. Hopefully everything will be ok - I’m certainly happier knowing that I’ve been fully vaxxed now but if something goes wrong I know that it will be in the back of my mind.

I too have had the vaccination whilst pregnant. I had astra whilst I was (unknowingly) 4 weeks pregnant. I'm high risk due to health conditions and my weight so was definitely planning to have it. I've had two scans since and all was well with baby as far as we could see (baby didn't want to cooperate and lay in the right position)

I had the second astra jab yesterday but am fairly confident all will be okay. I'd rather not take my risks with covid esp. Whilst pregnant to be honest. But I do respect people have different views and it'd down to each individual to decide what they want :)

I’ve just gone to book my vaccine and nowhere in the booking process does it ask if you’re pregnant or which vaccine you would prefer. Referring to this article: www.google.be/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/07/pregnant-women-in-uk-passed-from-pillar-to-post-over-choice-of-vaccine

Called 119 but they just said they can’t tell us which one will be used, have to ask when you get there. I thought this was all going to be sorted... frustrating.

Any suggestions on how to find out rather than waiting till I get there (2 weeks time)

@AlZi if you’re under 40 the system automatically shows you centres where they’re offering Pfizer or Moderna and not Astra Zeneca. I think if you’re over 40 you should get asked if you’re pregnant.

@SW100 ah ok! I’m under 40 and I put my NHS number in when booking so assuming they know I’m pregnant...?

How do you know this is the case?

@AlZi since you are under 40, you’ll basically only be offered Pfizer or moderna (which are the vaccines advised for pregnant women - so pregnancy isn’t a question they ask at sign-up stage for under 40s). When I got mine a few weeks ago, I mentioned it to the doctor that I was pregnant but I hadn’t provided that info in advance or wasn’t asked. But it was an under 40s vaccination day at the centre, so only Pfizer available

@SW100 gotcha

Had mine on Sunday (20 weeks) - chances are I will get Gestational Diabetes as had it in first pregnancy so for me the risks of COVID are much higher than any vaccine risks.

Total personal choice, I was undecided for a couple of weeks but I watched umpteen documentaries and did lots of reading/research and decided it was best for me to have it.

I feel so happy since having it, really relieved! x

@AlZi I had the same query as you, as other posters have commented you’ll be offered the two recommended for pregnancy based on age anyway but you can contact the vaccination centre directly beforehand and check (which I did) and they should be able to tell you what’s going to be offered on the date you’re booked in, for extra reassurance.

@Mrsy101 thanks!

Had my pfizer jab whilst pregnant and happy this is the right decision, especially with cases starting to climb again I felt it was important to protect myself whilst pregnant. Will be getting my second one when the time comes too

I was invited for mines at 9 weeks but called to delay due to being in the first trimester. I've not made a decision yet but definitely knew I didn't want to do anything during the crucial development weeks (up until week 12). I'm also currently still working from home so I'm quite safe. I will have to make a decision in the coming month on whether to get it in the second trimester - I think it will be influenced by whether we see a massive drop in cases across the UK and whether work are happy for me to continue to work from home until the end of the year when I finish for maternity leave.

It's really tough without seeing any data on the early years of babies born to women who have taken the vaccine mid way through pregnancy. I have a feeling it is safe but it's hard to be willing to be a guinea pig.

Ok so I spoke to my midwife yesterday. Surprise surprise they said they couldn’t advice me either way, but they said a few things that bothered me:

1. They only recommend high risk pregnant people to get vaccinated (I’m not high risk)
2. They don’t recommend getting it because there isn’t enough data
3. Only adviced to get Pfizer

Hmm 🤔...

1. isn’t the current guideline that all pregnant people in appropriate age group can get the vaccine?

1. I thought the guidelines were based on data from US (100k pregnant people vaxxed)

3.. and pregnant people are ok to get either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine

Is my midwife just ill-informed or am I missing something?

Well being in third trimester does put you in a higher risk group from covid anyway and yes you should be able to have pfizer or moderna.
Yes all pregnant people are entitled to book their vaccine along with the rest of their ge group

@2020mission I feel exactly the same as you and feel I could've written your post. I've decided to wait. I spoke with my midwife and consultant who offered it due to a medical condition but as soon as I voiced my concerns they were in agreement about the fact no one knows if it's 100% safe with the data being so limited.
Now it's been rolled out to everyone I got my letter in but will be cancelling.
I want to have the protection but it's exactly the point you made about not knowing the effects on the babies born. The fact AstraZenica was initially thought to be safe is food for thought too. I'm happy to be strict until the end of my pregnancy and then I'll get it but I'm always wondering and reading about it.

@AlZi they were only offering it in high risk pregnancies but now all pregnant women can have the vaccine. Pfizer and modern are 1st choice for pregnancy and what you'll be offered as long as its available on the day. They try to avoid AstraZenica because of the blood clot risks. Midwife might be confused, mecial professionals can't say that it's completely safe and encourage you to get it because there isn't enough data to prove that yet, this is stated on Tommy's, WHO etc.

@Peach01 yea, I know that was the case before (high risk only) but I saw my midwife yesterday so the new guidelines have been in place for a while.

[quote AlZi]@Peach01 yea, I know that was the case before (high risk only) but I saw my midwife yesterday so the new guidelines have been in place for a while.[/quote]
She mustn't be up to date then. Have you had your letter?