20 weeks pregnant and just had my Pfizer vaccine

[Honeycombskl]

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.

I had pfizer 2 weeks ago at 21 weeks. Sore arm for a day or so after. Felt exhausted the day after but it's not unusual for me have to days like that anyway so could be completely unrelated to the vaccine. Otherwise all fine!

@LunaDreams I had my Pfizer jab when I was just over 23 weeks.

I had it on my lunch break from work and went straight back. I had a sore arm for a few days, and on the evening felt ever so slightly ‘out of it’ but not ill in any way.

I’m due my second one by the time I’ll be 35 weeks and not looking forward to it as I’ve read so many people say the second dose of Pfizer makes you feel worse so I’m just praying that won’t be the case.

Had mine on Sunday (20 weeks), was expecting some sort of side effects but nothing just a sore arm for a day or two x

@FTEngineerM and anyone else who was wondering, I was worried by the inability in the booking system to either specify you’re pregnant or see which vaccine you will be given. I called 119 (or whatever the number is) to check, and they said that everyone under 40 is now being given the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, so it’s fine to just book online and that’s what you’ll get.

I did so and was given my first Pfizer jab two weeks ago- I had to wait a week as I was just about to have my whopping cough vaccine and you need to leave a clear 7 days between them. No noticeable side effects beside a sore arm- I’m 37 and now 25 weeks.

Would definitely agree with PPs who’ve recommended the Pregnant then Screwed/ Stella Creasy webinar. Also DH is a GP and felt it was a no brainer, particularly when we thought about how awkward it might make things if I got covid near my due date, even if I wasn’t very ill with it.

I'm just home from my first jab. It was super efficient - on arrival, I was hooked out of the queue and given a marshal to take me inside and register me. (They didn't actually ask me if I was pregnant, but at 26 weeks, it's fairly obvious!)
I had to see a Dr to discuss the risks/benefits etc and essentially sign a disclaimer. She was super reassuring and said she was very satisified that I had done plenty of research and had made an informed decision... but if for some reason I was unsure, there was nothing to stop me going outside and having a think before I had it.
Then I was signed off and jabbed.
Back at 38 weeks!

Had my jab a few weeks ago at 18 weeks pregnant. No regrets. Sore arm for a few days and that was it.

I am completely torn on the decision to get the vaccine or not.

Currently 18+4 & been advised to wait until I've had my 20wk scan which is in 3 weeks (I'll be 21 +5 then). I am under 30 so haven't been offered the vaccine yet but when I do not sure whether to take it.

I agree that we do not know the side effects it could have on the baby future developments but its risky going out into London when the UK stops all social distancing measures/wearing of face masks.

I'm sure I had Covid back in March 2020, but you can apparently get it again. I am due to go back to the office a few days a week in June so really worried about using public transport!

@LondonLady178 I would highly recommend watch Stella Creasy’s Facebook live - it was really informative and reassuring for me.
You can also google Pfizer safety data for pregnant women from the US, which I found really helpful

Thanks for your courage and your responses ladies. This would encourage and embolden so many of us out there.

@Moominmiss I'm glad you felt ok after it.

@LondonLady178 I feel exactly the same as you. I'm so torn despite having done research. I keep changing my mind, which makes me think maybe I shouldn't have it as want to be sure.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experience

Had the first dose of Pfizer yesterday at 31 weeks and so far so good Sore arm only.

@LunaDreams - I agree, but then I don't want to be scared to socialise this summer!

Thank you to everyone who recommended the Angela Creasy FB live, I watched it yesterday & very interesting! Has made me think I will maybe get the jab after my 20wk scan!

Well done OP, thanks for sharing. I have my first today at 18 weeks and my second is booked for 29 weeks. I will be in my third trimester in the winter and just want it done so I feel safer socializing and going into the office. I know people who had covid last year, and two people who are still suffering with long covid. I did a lot of research before booking mine and feel confident it is the best thing to do for me.

Just read this whole thread and it’s been really helpful! Got my first jab booked in for next week when I’ll be 27+3. I’m hoping my 2nd jab will be 8 and not 12 weeks after as the 2nd Pfizer jab seems to give more of a reaction and I’d rather not have it just before my due date!

Just wanted to say this thread really helped me decide. I managed to get my Pfizer vax yesterday at 29+1 - it was so tough and I cried the entire time. The nurses and doctors were amazing and really supported me through my fear and pregnancy hormones! I do feel like I’ve made the right decision for me and my little one. I’m hoping to get the next dose brought forward so I can have it before baby is born.

And for anyone who is wondering I have a sore arm and I’m tired but it’s all bareable.

My heart goes out to all mums struggling with their decision xx

I had Pfizer at 8 weeks. Felt it was the right thing to do to make sure I had 2nd dose before 3rd trimester as I can see no scientific reason for any problems with vaccine whereas I know COVID in 3rd trimester would potentially be a high risk for both of us! Wish it was a decision I didn’t have to make, I cried when I went to have it, but it was a midwife who did mine and she said pregnant women routinely get flu vaccine etc throughout pregnancy which made me feel a lot better. I meet a lot of people at work and they seem to be getting less and less cautious so feel I’ve done the right thing!

I am a pharmacist and could have had the jab back in December but didn't as we were trying and then the advice was not to get it unless you met the risk factors. I spoke to my midwife at 8 weeks who said I didn't meet the criteria to get it.

The advice then changed and it was very much up to me according to my midwife and consultant. I had the jab this weeks at 27 weeks pregnant. I did loads of research and understand the science. I am working so have plenty of patient contact and people are not social distancing in the same way as before even though my bump is evident. If I was able to wfh for the last trimester I may have waited but the fact is that I can't and the risks of catching it in my 3rd trimester meant that on balance I felt I should get it. I am happy with my decision. I had the Pfizer jab and had a sore, achy arm for the first day but was otherwise fine.

I was lucky enough to have both doses before conceiving, but I would definitely get the vaccine even while pregnant. While I understand what @GordonsAliveAndEatsPies is saying, there are many vaccines that are completely suitable to have in pregnancy. Although there are unknowns with the Covid one, there are so many known dangers. Pregnant women are in a risk group, and there is also risk to the baby being preterm. We also don't know if there are long term effects on the baby of catching Covid.

I'm also a teacher and my school has had a huge outbreak of Covid. I've seen colleagues and one or two teenagers become really ill with it. One of my colleagues in her 40s ended up in ICU for months (no underlying health conditions), and she had to learn to walk again. She now has long Covid and her life is not the same. Another two colleagues' brothers died (under 50, no health conditions), and another colleague's neighbours (in their 30s, no known health conditions) both ended up on ventilators at the same time for weeks.

It's everyone's own personal decision, but, personally, I'd go with what I think is the much lesser risk of a vaccine to a terribly destructive virus. I anticipate having a booster jag during my pregnancy, and I will definitely be taking it up!

known dangers of catching Covid

I am so torn. :( My midwife said, it wasn't safe before but it is now, it's really upto you but you don't have long to wait.
I'm 27 weeks and a teacher. At 28 weeks I'll be in class with a 2m bubble around me in the mornings then by myself in the afternoons.
I had decided not to have it but the new variant is really bothering me and I'm struggling to decide. I am a high risk pregnancy as I have 1 kidney.

@B45291

I am so torn. :( My midwife said, it wasn't safe before but it is now, it's really upto you but you don't have long to wait. I'm 27 weeks and a teacher. At 28 weeks I'll be in class with a 2m bubble around me in the mornings then by myself in the afternoons. I had decided not to have it but the new variant is really bothering me and I'm struggling to decide. I am a high risk pregnancy as I have 1 kidney.

Hiya lovely, I’m 29 weeks now & my midwife said the same only because we didn’t have the figures from the massive amount of pregnant women that were being vaccinated in the US & Israel. We have that feedback now which included 90,000+ women who have been vaccinated & a lot of the babies have now been born without complications.

I also watched pregnant then screwed webinar on YouTube which gave me facts that helped. It is such a difficult decision & I was such a mess getting the jab but the thought of how serious covid could be for me & my baby in the 3rd trimester scares me more than the jab.

Whatever you decide I hope you enjoy the rest of your pregnancy! X

I had my first vaccine today, I am 27 weeks pregnant and after speaking to my doctor and doing a bit of research I thought it would be best to have it done. I had the Pfizer vaccine this morning and have only had a bit of a heavy arm, baby is also happy kicking around too. 😊

I had first dose of Moderna today, I’m a bit anxious about it now as everyone else seems to get Pfizer, I’m 19 weeks and don’t feel much by way of movement yet so I’m glad I’ve got my 20 week scan soon for a bit of reassurance. Only side effect is sore arm so far.

I’m 26 and 26+4 - I had the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday. I was hoping to leave it until the baby had arrived but the new variant had me worried. My main fear was contracting Covid in hospital when I go into labour. For me, this seemed a far more realistic risk than the chance of the vaccine having any adverse effects on the pregnancy. So far my only side effects are a sore arm.

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