COVID vaccine

[NS1988]

Im 14wk 5days pregnant and received a message to attend a clinic for the Pfizer vaccine tomorrow. I’m really torn about whether to go, when I last asked my midwife weeks ago she said they weren’t in a position to offer advice and I would have to speak to GP about it. I’m sure the clinic refer is from GP because I’m pregnant as no one else I know in my age group has been called yet and I have no underlying conditions. Is it safe to have? What’s the latest advice on pregnant woman having it done?

@NS1988 I'm 15 weeks and have been thinking a lot about the vaccine. I've not been called yet but I expect I will be the next couple of weeks when it gets down to my age. If your age group hasn't been called yet and you don't have underlying conditions, that does seem strange. I'd ring your GP.
Advice now is that pregnant women should be offered the vaccine when before you wouldn't be unless you had an underlying health condition or your job puts you at higher risk. Now it's a personal choice is the conclusion I've come to. I've decided not to get it. I'm young, fit and healthy so I just don't see the risk whilst pregnant. I can get it in 5-6 months time. Yes there is a risk I could get COVID and complications from that but from what I've read, that's mainly only a risk in the third trimester. Good luck! x

I’ll be 15 weeks on Friday when I have it. I’ve cancelled it 3 times.

The way I see it, I’ll be heavily pregnant in winter. That’s when covid might be rife again. The number of pg women in icu at peak with covid is shocking.

I’m taking the risk, I’m still not sure but I have 3 other children to also think about x

I had mine yesterday at 30+6 weeks after a lots of deliberation. I'm 33 years old with no underlying health conditions.

My main reason was because i'm not in the position to completely isolate to minimize risk (2 x school age children who go to their dads every weekend) plus i read lots of research about mrna vaccines and experiences from ladies in the US who have been having theirs since last December. The risks of catching covid in the third trimester were very worrying for me and ultimately after weighing them up against what we know about the vaccine so far, i decided to go for it.

This sheet is helpful - www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/2021-02-24-combined-info-sheet-and-decision-aid.pdf

Also the pregnant and screwed webinar by stella creasy and there's also a facebook group with lots of good evidence based experiences on there (i dont have the links on my work PC sorry but im sure someone will be able to find them!). Youtube has some great videos by doctors too. Read everything you can and make whatever decision is best for you!

I had mine last week at 34 weeks pregnant and was really on the fence about it for a while (and cancelled my first appointment). I decided to go ahead because the risks of falling seriously ill with covid in the last trimester is higher than in the others and there is growing evidence that the baby gets some antibodies which was a big driver for me - especially when we are in hospital. Also, restrictions easing and the Indian variant spreading faster were reasons to go ahead. I spoke to 3 doctors, all of whom told me to have it as the v small theoretical vaccine risk is far far less than the risk of what could happen if you catch covid.

However it is a deeply personal choice and one that ultimately only you can make for yourself and your baby - that is really what i struggled with most. It would be so much easier if they said, as they do with the flu jab and whooping cough that it is safe and all pregnant women should have them (rather than the more wishy washy "pregnant women to be offered the jab and make up their own minds upon speaking to their GP").

As a PP said, I found the Stella Creasy webinar very helpful and the reproductive immunologist on the panel also posts useful Twitter updates on the vaccine in pregnant and breastfeeding women which ive found helpful. The US data is also v encouraging. Ultimately, it'll come down to a gut decision on your part I think, it did with me.

For what it's worth, I don't regret having it at all (I had the Pfizer). I had minimal side effects (sore arm for a day and a headache for a day) and the baby is kicking normally.

@NS1988 I've been called for mine too before my age group - GP told me they had been instructed to offer all pregnant patients the jab. I'm 29 weeks and am booked in for Wednesday. I found it really difficult to make a decision, but am 99% sure I will go ahead on Wednesday x

I spoke with my midwife today and in a centre near me they are looking to open a midwife led section for pregnant ladies. I found this really reassuring to hear :)

FYI I had the Moderna jab and have no side effects apart from a sore arm. At my appointment babies heartbeat was lovely and strong and she's kicking away as per usual :)

I was invited for mine a month ago, but then turned away when I got to the vaccine centre because I was pregnant despite my consultant and midwife giving me the all clear to have it. I was invited again and went last week at 19 weeks

I don’t have any underlying issues but my pregnancy is classed as high risk, and I work in hospitality and events so I’ll definitely be around lots of drunk and not distancing people this summer. If it weren’t for that I’d probably not have risked it but to me the risks of contracting it were too high

Thanks for all the replies. I’ve booked to have the Pfizer vaccine as I work in retail and live in an area where the new Indian variant is very high. Thinks it’s wise to have it to protect myself then run the risk of catching it and making myself and baby ill. Just very nerve wracking and stressful hoping I’m doing the right thing

I've had mine (pfizer) and was recommended to have the second before I go for my c-section at 39 weeks (so arranging the second for about 8 weeks after the first) I feel so much happier now I have had it.

The clinics all have a specialist GP on duty to talk to you about the risks / benefits before you have the jab and let you ask questions. So hopefully this will put your mind at rest.

Good luck!

Hi,

I am unsure about getting vaccine, can I ask if everything was okay with baby as I cannot find any babies that were born post vaccine

Thank you

@MyBabyBoyBlue
Hi,

I am unsure about getting vaccine, can I ask if everything was okay with baby as I cannot find any babies that were born post vaccine

Thank you

@mariebaby3
Hi,

I am unsure about getting vaccine, can I ask if everything was okay with baby as I cannot find any babies that were born post vaccine

Thank you

Hi @Kooooie1,

Yes baby is absolutely perfect . She’s 6 weeks old now and growing well, just started smiling right on target for that developmental milestone too . Honestly have no concerns whatsoever and I have 2 others so have good examples tk compare with! Hope this helps xx

@mariebaby3

Ohh that is amazing to hear, glad she is doing so well.

Thank you, you have completely put my mind at ease, I have been living on my nerves about catching covid and getting the vaccine but you have helped a lot.

Thank you :-)

@Kooooie1 my DS is now 6 weeks and doing well. Meeting his milestones and no concerns.