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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

20 weeks pregnant and just had my Pfizer vaccine

103 replies

Honeycombskl · 10/05/2021 08:36

After much deliberation I had my covid vaccine yesterday. I had been really on the fence about it, particularly after seeing comments on mumsnet from a lot of people saying they wouldn't get the vaccine while pregnant. I did as much research as I could and decided to get the vaccine.

I really hope I made the right decision but I think I did. Someone commented on a thread here said that contracting covid later in pregnancy is a known serious risk, to both baby and mum, whereas the vaccine is unknown, we don't know the risk so there might be none. That really stuck with me. I'm a teacher so in close contact with children day in, day out, I'm in Moray which has 4x more cases than the rest of Scotland (hence why I was offered it) and the highschool our primary is a feeder to has been in the news due to the high number of children and staff testing positive, we have a number of children here with siblings in that high school or our own staff with children there. My partner works in a role where he is constantly in close contact with different colleagues and workers. With restrictions relaxing alongside all this it seemed like the best decision. If I was in the position to work from home and avoid people until the end of my pregnancy then I would have waited until after to get it but I'm not so I think it's the right thing for me.

OP posts:
Keyboard91 · 10/05/2021 11:05

Never feel you have to justify a decision. You made an informed decision and felt it was the best option for you in your circumstances so you went with it :)

I want mine (was offered it back when it wasn’t advised due to being CV) as I’m also a teacher but I can’t book an appointment specifically for Pfizer or Moderna - I’m supposed to just turn up and hope that they have it (and would be wasting a vaccine slot if they only had AZ). Which is putting me off booking especially as have to travel a fair bit for the appointment.

Original poster
Honeycombskl · 10/05/2021 11:10

Thanks. It's hard because when you're pregnant for some reason everyone thinks they can tell you what you should or shouldn't be doing all time. I've literally just now had someone at work (on break) tell me i shouldn't have had it.
I think it's a really personal decision based on your own circumstances.

That's hard not being able to boom specifically. I was lucky that in my council they have both astra zeneca and pfizer so over 40s are being given the astra zeneca and unders are getting pfizer but as they have both available I can't imagine it being an issue to get the other if it's best for you.

OP posts:
MyBabyBoyBlue · 10/05/2021 12:50

Well done OP and thank you for posting. Definitely don't listen to people who tell you you shouldn't have had it - it's an irresponsible unkind thing to say. I've been back and forth on having it many many times and now have made the decision to have it (booked in this week, but a gamble as to whether the centre will have anything other than AZ apparently) and I couldn't feel better about or more secure in my decision. The unknowns of the vaccine are far far smaller than the unknowns of the virus which as we have seen can be incredibly nasty and do all kinds of damage we are still only discovering.

Girlmama3 · 10/05/2021 13:01

Well done op! I think I’m going to have it, currently 14 weeks.

Could you keep this updated with any side effects you get please? Dp had the AZ and was really shaky and hot. I’m hoping the Pfizer doesn’t do the same x

InTheNightWeWillWish · 10/05/2021 13:14

It’s such a personal decision and you have to make that decision based on what is right for you. Nobody else gets a say in your own personal risk assessment and anyone commenting is rude. I don’t think it’s a decision that any pregnant woman has taken lightly, whichever way she has decided to go. I seem to change my mind every day. I’ve not been called up yet so it’s not an issue at the moment but I expect I’ll be called up in the next 6 weeks or so, so I’ve got to reach a decision at some point.

Chelyanne · 10/05/2021 13:19

Thanks for the update

Cheekyweegobshite · 10/05/2021 13:41

Having looked after a number of pregnant/post-partum covid patients in icu, I think you did the right thing Smile

shivawn · 10/05/2021 13:46

Congratulations! I also had the Pfizer vaccine back in January while pregnant. Smile I'm so thankful so have it.

Aozora13 · 10/05/2021 13:48

Good on you OP. I just had mine at 20 weeks too! I had long covid last year and it was awful, plus I have 2 small germpots children, have read various research/guidance and discussed w midwife, all of which helped in my decision.

So far side effects have been a sore arm (similar to what I’ve experienced with travel jabs) plus feeling a bit hot (not feverish) and being randomly itchy for a day.

everydaysablessing · 10/05/2021 13:58

I also chose to have it, urge the updated guidance following the studies on pregnant women that have had it and the impact of covid on those pregnant and their babies.

Also had no way of knowing what vaccine would be available at the centre but was fine, I told them I was pregnant, spoke to a doctor who advised to have Pfizer, and that was all fine. I wouldn't have had AZ.

I was sick the second night after it, threw up, aches and shivers unfortunately but don't know if that was pregnancy, bug or vaccine. Either way I'll still have my second jab.

Wiltshire90 · 10/05/2021 14:05

I had my first jab (Pfizer - felt rough for about 8 hours then fine) shortly before I conceived and having my second next week when I reach 12 weeks Smile

WorkWorkAngelica · 10/05/2021 14:15

It's completely personal.

I'm leaning towards not having it, but my risk profile is pretty different to yours. I am WFH, kids are not at school, not in a high prevalence area. 14 months into the pandemic and I don't know a single person who has tested positive for covid. I don't have any comorbidities.

I would like to have it soon after I've given birth but want to read the published info about having it while breastfeeding first.

SillyBry · 10/05/2021 14:18

You sound absolutely justified and right in your decision!

It's so personal - I'm really on the fence about it. So much so, I've messaged a friend of mine who is an A&E dr to ask her opinions... as she will be seeing the reality of Covid a lot more than I am.

Whichever you decide, be happy with your decision - you have ABSOLUTELY done the best for you and baby in your situation.

Original poster
Honeycombskl · 10/05/2021 16:20

Thanks everyone. It's really made me realise how different everyone's journeys and circumstances are, it's not just as simple as yes you should get it or no you shouldn't.

*Could you keep this updated with any side effects you get please? Dp had the AZ and was really shaky and hot. I’m hoping the Pfizer doesn’t do the same xx

Will keep you updated. Today I have a sore arm and I'm knackered after work, but that's not unusual for me right now! Also had a couple of quesy points today but I had HG and will still be a bit sick sometimes so again, I'd put that down to the pregnancy.

OP posts:
Girlmama3 · 11/05/2021 09:00

I think given that Boris is likely to remove all restrictions next month, I’ll probably have it. I don’t fancy risking going out with no masks it SD in place.

DollyParton2 · 11/05/2021 10:54

I was really against getting it, but just bern offered a slot when I’d be 37 weeks next week for Pfizer. I think I’m going to get it as I’ve since developed Gestational diabetes which is an added complication and my breathing can be pretty laboured. Most of pregnancy I was active and felt I’d deal with Covid fine... while now I do feel my body is getting a bit overloaded so wonder how well I’d cope.
Tough decision all round isn’t it ladies?!!!

BurningBenches · 11/05/2021 11:58

I have booked mine for tomorrow. I'm 41, BMI of 32, and 35+3wks, my husband is also immune suppressed although he's had his jab now. All things considered I wanted to go for it even though I rarely go anywhere.

Our middle 2 are in primary school and since everyone went back they've had to close bubbles 5 or 6 times, even though we are in a low prevalence area.

raspberryjamlove · 19/05/2021 20:26

Hi everyone I'm nearly 38 weeks and have vaccine booked in for this weekend. I am so on the fence what to do and weather I should hold off or just go for it. Help!!! Confused

Namechangegardens · 19/05/2021 20:35

I got mine yesterday at 24 weeks, zero regrets! Not only pleased for my own wellbeing but also that my baby will hopefully get some of the immunity

RosieRabbit17 · 19/05/2021 21:03

Got my Pfizer booked for Tuesday. Very similar to you OP a teacher, currently have a class of 45 10/11 year olds so a serious lack of social distancing and we've had 5 positive cases within school in the last 4 weeks which is what finally convinced me to have it. Also living in an Indian variant hotspot apparently so definitely feeling more confident in my choice! Having already had covid, I certainly don't want it whilst pregnant! I'll be 19 weeks when I have it.

Coachee · 19/05/2021 22:02

This thread is helping to reassure me. I am 21 weeks almost, age 40 and booked for my jab tomorrow. The known risks of Covid are greater than any known risks of the vaccine and this has swayed me. The doctor at my 20 week scan was encouraging of this decision. I’ve felt very undecided.

It feels counterintuitive to introduce any risk to a pregnancy but on balance I think it is the right decision to go for it.

Definately · 19/05/2021 22:38

Given your circumstances I think you made the best decision, and 20 weeks is about the safest time you could do something like this, I'd be more iffy about it in the first or third trimester.
As an aside, wouldn't Moray be a nice baby name Blush

Tilly18101 · 19/05/2021 22:50

I got mine today at 15+6, was able to get Pfizer, in 34, i WFH as does my husband and I could limit who I interact with but the risks of catching Covid when pregnant when the UK reopens is significantly more so I opted to have it.

Weirdly it was like I could feel it in my arm, it felt quite heavy but I was advised to take two paracetamol after (by a nurse friend not during the vaccine) which I did and I’m 6 hours in with no symptoms or feeling unwell.

It’s definitely a personal decision but for me, I just don’t trust the genera public and knowing I can’t avoid going shopping, or going to the hospital/GP I know it was the right decision to me as I’ll feel less anxious out and about.

GordonsAliveAndEatsPies · 19/05/2021 22:58

Can I be really awkward and say no one can possibly know what the effect is?

I have had my 1st vaccine now the baby is 6 weeks but no way would I have had a vaccine when pregnant.

The only adequate documentation regarding impact will be when babies are born or even when they expected to reach milestones. Maybe we will all be fine. I hope so, especially for those that have been brave and had the vaccine but I just couldn’t considering thalidomide

Original poster
Honeycombskl · 19/05/2021 23:18

Can I be really awkward and say no one can possibly know what the effect is?

So that's the thing, we don't know the effects of the vaccine but so far there has been nothing to indicate that it is of any danger to pregnant women or their babies or that it affects fetal development. On the other hand we do know the effects of covid in later pregnancy and that they can be incredibly severe. I read that when the UK was at its peak, 10% of those in intensive care were pregnant women. It significantly increases the risk of stillbirth and has led to the deaths of pregnant women and their unborn children in later pregnancy, as well as potentially causing comas and organ failure. That's the risk you know is there. The other is a 'what if' scenario.

The only adequate documentation regarding impact will be when babies are born or even when they expected to reach milestones.
There have been healthy children born in America and Israel after their mothers were vaccinated so there is already documentation of this.

OP posts: