First trimester Pfizer...? Yes or no

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I had a phone call last night offering me the covid Pfizer vaccination... and I turned it down. Was a bit awkward as the DR phoning me is known to me but she doesn't know my reasons and I didn't want to divulge. I'm first trimester pregnant and am worried. K don't know what the guidelines are and surely hardly any other women of child bearing age have had the vaccine and given birth yet to see if there are any long term issues. I really don't know what to do.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, I've decided not to have it until I'm at least 24 weeks where baby would be viable if I go into early labour due from it (suffered 7 miscarriages previously) I'm 14 weeks now but the thought of something that's not even been around for over a year out in my body while pregnant scares me x

I would wait until 3rd trimester or not until baby is born x

Thanks ladies, that's what I was thinking. The first trimester is such an important time for development. Of something happened I would blame myself.

My midwife advised me to wait until the second trimester but I don’t actually know the evidence/science behind the recommendations. I’m pretty low risk as WFH and no underlying conditions, might be different for eg frontline healthcare workers. I just had my first Pfizer jab at 19 weeks. Minimal side effects but definitely feel happier/safer for being vaccinated. Good luck whatever you decide!

I’m in my second trimester (25 weeks) and in India. Advice was to take it (AZ). This is because the Indian variant is particularly bad for later pregnancy pregnant women, and the level of cases means the known risks of catching the virus are worse than the unknown potential risks of the vaccine.

It’s a risk choice based on the level of cases in your area and likelihood of you catching / coming into contact with someone with the virus. For me, my health insurer and doctor were unanimous: in an area where cases are high, take it.

I should add - a 9 week pregnant friend was also advised to take it. But again, that’s in India, in an area where cases are high. So for both of us, the higher risk of catching outweighed the unknown risks of the vaccine.

No way!!!!!!! There is no way im having it during pregnancy.

I am TTC ive spoken in depth about this to my drs who told me to hold off.

It would be a no from me too.

Case rates are low around the UK now so less overall need to protect yourself. If a covid outbreak does occur in your area you can always change your mind and get it.

There are a couple of threads running on this with some good advice but I personally have been advised against it by two midwives. I’m 29 weeks.

I'm 7 weeks and booked in to get pfizer next week. I am not worried about the vaccine but a little nerous about side effects like fever. Currently more worried what getting covid would do to us! I told them my age and that I'm pregnant and they didn't recommend against it. I can update you once I've had the vaccine, if you like.

@AnonymousXXIX if this helps, had my pfizer last week and only had slightly tender arm for 2 days.otherwise all good and 23wk pregnant. Like u am way more worried about covid and risks of long covid and also higher chance of early birth in women who had covid in 3rd trimester. Hope u feel ok after yours! Havent actually spoken to anyone who had fever after pfizer jab.

Thanks @leftitlate37!

I had pfizer first dose at 10 weeks. My obstetrician recommended vacc. Only problem I could see was the potential fever as best to avoid fever in first trimester. I'm frontline at risk job though and don't love the 6x intubation rate for pregnant covid women.

I’m having it on Friday. I’ll be 15 weeks. I’ve cancelled it 3 times but then Google pregnant women and covid and re book.

The risk later on is huge and given we already have the Indian variant I’m not risking what else could happen. This way I’ll be fully vaccinated as I enter the third trimester.

I was 12 weeks when I had my second one (first prior to pregnancy) I’ve been okay x

I'm having my first jab on Wednesday at 29 weeks. I was very unsure about what to do so I've done loads of research. As it's not a live vaccination it's thought to be safe to have in pregnancy (just like the flu and whooping cough jab). It's expected to break down at the site (muscle in the arm) within a few hours of administration and so in theory doesn't get anywhere near the baby. It's thought the vaccination itself doesn't cross the placenta, but what does cross the placenta is the antibodies you create, which should offer some protection to baby. None of this is guaranteed of course and is all just what is expected to happen, however 90,000 pregnant women in the US have had the jab which 'raised no safety concerns'.

I have my jab booked in for next week, when i'll be 13+3.

What helped me decide to go for it was the known risk of contracting Covid (miscarriage/stillbirth due to affecting placenta, much worse outcomes for mother in 3rd trimester, premature delivery etc.) vs. a hypothetical risk from the vaccine, which does not contain live virus and is not thought to cross the placenta, works in the same way as flu vaccine and so far in 100,000+ women has caused no known issues. The bonus also being that antibodies are passed to the baby so they also have a level of protection. I'd personally hate to avoid the vaccine for fear of it causing issues that are as yet completely unindicated, and then get seriously ill or die from covid/something happen to the baby, when the vaccine could have prevented it. Going on the evidence available right now, it seems like the best choice for me. I did want to wait until after 12 weeks to make sure main developmental milestones have been reached, but now coming out of lockdown i'm very relieved that I will have some level of protection and will be fully vaccinated by my third trimester. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

I am supposed to have mine this week, I am 11 weeks... I might postpone of one week but no more than that as I will have to take a flight in 3 weeks and it would be great to know that I have some level of protection. Both my gp and my midwife recommended at any stage of pregnancy, saying it is safe.

Had the vaccine yesterday, and so far I am fine, knock wood. No side effects at all, except a sore arm.

I would have chosen to have it earlier if I could so I could have had both vaccinations to protect me in the 3rd trimester when the risk is greatest.

However I wasn't able to have the first one until last week. I'm 24 weeks now. No side effects other than a sore arm, midwife was fine with me having it. Can't believe there are midwives advising against it, the big maternity hospital near me are offering vaccines to all pregnant women at the moment.

This is the official RCOG guidance which might be of use to people trying to decide (it was sent to me by my midwife) www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/2021-02-24-combined-info-sheet-and-decision-aid.pdf

I'd also recommend watching the Pregnant then screwed webinar with Stella Creasy and a panel of obstetricians and reproductive epidemiologists (it's on YouTube or linked on their Instagram page).

@Kimblebee19 just wanted to say your post was very well put and has very rational reasoning! I had my first jab this morning at 29 weeks, found it really difficult and was very emotional, but I do feel better for having it now x

I had my first vaccine yesterday, got a positive pregnancy test today. Little side effects like sore arm, nausea and a bit of sweating but temps aren't high and am hoping it stays like that. Really pleased I got the vaccine and would rather be protected than risk having Covid during pregnancy.