Anyone had the Pfizer vaccine in the last few weeks of pregnancy?

[mag2305]

Hi! I'm 35 weeks and have been invited for the pfizer vaccine. I'm nervous about getting it and not getting it at the moment but should really make a decision either way soon. Has anyone else had the pfizer vaccine late in pregnancy?

I had mine at 35+4.

surely you would just wait

Had mine at 32 weeks +3. No side effects apart from a very sore arm (if you're strictly following advice about sleeping on left side only, would recommend getting it in the right arm as was v painful to sleep on my left for a couple of nights)

In response to a PP, I didn't wait because I didn't want to get covid in the last weeks of pregnancy given the heightened risk to me and my baby if you're unlucky enough to get covid in the third trimester, nor when I went into hospital to have the baby - I'll be in contact with a lot more people when I'm giving birth and on a ward than at any point in the last few weeks, and I don't want to get covid while looking after a newborn and recovering from birth. Plus there is some evidence that the baby will have some antibodies when born.

Yes, last week at 37wks. Absolutely fine, slightly sore arm.

I’m having a ELCS so didn’t want to delay for another 4/5 weeks, especially with the new variants circulating. It will give me a bit of protection by the time I go in to hospital.

I’ve just had mine this afternoon @ 33+4. So far my arm is a bit sore and I’m feeling a bit tired but not sure that’s different to other day! Although I’m right handed I went for my right arm as I can only really sleep on my left because of pgp.

I wouldn’t say it was an easy decision but I was keen to have it once it was recommended (I know people in high risk groups or occupations had it before the JCVI recommended it for all pregnant women). I feel the weight of medical opinion in this country and US/Canada is firmly on the benefits outweighing the very small potential for unknown risks which haven’t been identified. The vaccine for Covid might be new but the technology isn’t and I didn’t hesitate to get the flu or whooping cough jag.

Although the vaccine offers good protection after the first dose overall it does seem to do less well against the Indian variant until the second dose. If I waited until after birth it could be another 6 months before I’m fully protected which would be right back into winter and all the risks of rates going back up again. I’m still being very careful about socialising indoors etc at the moment but I’m hoping to be able to have a more ‘normal’ early motherhood experience than the poor souls who’ve been so cut off over the last year.

@ClimbAHill some good points, thank you. You're right, it would help with a bit more normality in those first few weeks/months. This is my second so I really feel for all the first time mums in the last year who must have felt so isolated.

Thank you for everyone's comments. X

Thank you. I came here looking specifically for comments on this. I'm 29 weeks and my husband's a teacher, so feel like we may be exposed. Think I just have to go for it and hope all is well. Stressful times and unbelievable stories of pregnancy to share with our babies! Xx

30 weeks, had mine today, feel fine in myself! I know if won't be 100% effective til the second dose but felt happier having to engage with hospitals and stuff knowing I was partially protected.

@Cannyapper I'm in a similar situation too. My husband also works in a school. He's had both his jabs and tests himself twice a week but I still worry.

Yes, had my first dose at 22 weeks and my second last week at 34 weeks. I felt totally fine last week - just some soreness around injection site (although not as bad as first dose) and tiredness (ditto). I personally think any protection you can get is worth having given third trimester Covid risks and chances of encountering it when you are labouring in hospital.

Yes although I was very on the fence what to do! I had mine at 37+6 at the weekend. I had been adamant I wouldn't have it for fear of something going wrong but in the end at the last minute I went for it! I had a night of feeling a bit off but ok since then, good luck whichever you choose to do x

Yes, I had it last Wednesday at 38 + 3 weeks pregnant. No side effects other than a dead arm for one day.

I haven't been called for it yet, but will get it straightaway when I am. Currently second trimester, but would have it anytime.

I had Covid a few months ago, so should still have some immunity from that, but I still want the jag! Just because I had a mild disease last time, doesn't mean it won't be worse if I get it again. Also, although it was really mild, I lost my sense of smell for a couple of months afterwards (now returned thankfully). I wouldn't want a new baby and not have my sense of smell - would have to keep checking s/he didn't need changed the whole time!!

Also although young people are less likely to die, the risk of long covid is pretty sizeable. Do you want that with a newborn? Fatigue topped off with fatigue? Sounds fun...

I haven't yet... but just had the call up for my vaccine. First one booked for 26+2, second booked for 38+1.
I considered calling them to delay the second dose, but then thought perhaps I'd rather have it before I birth... I'll be on maternity leave, so can sleep my ills away! As hubby says, I'll feel like crap by then anyway!! Better to not feel like that with a newborn!
They say the second dose is worse with Pfizer.

Just had pfizer today, 22 weeks

I've got mine booked now for this weekend. I'm very nervous but then I do have quite bad anxiety issues linked to pregnancy/health anyway so this for me is obviously provoking my anxiety. But I've made a decision so that's something.
Thank you for everyone's comments. X

well done for making a decision (whichever way ultimately u choose is your decision) @mag2305! in case it helps, i had mine 2 weeks ago at about 23 weeks - only had sore arm for a day or so, otherwise felt fine. plus the nurses/admin/volunteers were all lovely - so efficient and so painless! good luck for the weekend!
@FeistySheep - summed up exactly my reasons - long covid for me just sounds horrific, obviously dying scares me but long covid much more likely. i know people my age with it, and sounds debilitating. hope youve recovered from your bout of covid.

@leftitlate37 yes, thanks for asking! All good now :)

OP, good on you. You'll feel much safer once you've had it xx

Ridingthegravytrain why would she “surely just wait”??

OP- I had Pfizer at 37 weeks. I’m being induced in a few days and likely end up spending a few nights in hospital. The thought of being in shared wards in hospital was what really swung it, the Indian variant seems to be ramping up so I got it to be as protected as possible, and also give baby some anti bodies.
Hearing more and more about both how the vaccine is safe in pregnancy but also how getting Covid third trimester can have very risky consequences on both mums health and complications in childbirth also swung it.
I’m really glad I had my first dose. I had zero after affects.

I’m 31 weeks, I was advised to wait until after the birth by my midwives but that’s obviously against guidelines. I do have a consultant appointment in 2 weeks so will ask thence

Then not thence! Haha!

I’ve been offered mine at 41 weeks but have rescheduled until after the birth. If I could have had it at 35-36 weeks I would definitely have gotten it, I’ve heard it takes around 2 -3 weeks for the antibodies to be produced, but the baby would also benefit from immunity as a newborn (although clearly not if you get it at 41 weeks!)

I have mine booked for tomorrow when I’ll be 23+2. My second dose should be when I’m around 35 weeks.

Some good points raised. Obviously depends what area of the country everyone's in too. I'm in south Essex which seems to be OK for numbers at the moment but it is a densely populated part of the country and you just don't know if things could change. But with more of the country getting vaccinated, hopefully things will feel safer all round.

@Darkmatterduck I think I'd feel the same. I had my son at 41+3 and I don't think I would have wanted a vaccination at that point. It's enough just being overdue. Hopefully you'll get it as soon as you can afterwards.