Vaccine in pregnancy

[Yorkymidge]

Hello,
I am currently 10 weeks pregnant - a high risk pregnancy for multiple reasons so miscarriage risk is high. I have both my vaccinations early in the year and have been invited like everyone else for my booster.
Without wanting to open a can of worms, what is your opinion on taking the booster in pregnancy? I’m fully for vaccinations, as previously having the first 2 but i’m scared of the risks and complications that it may cause since there is little to no research on pregnant women. I feel like medical professionals only push for it without explaining the risks too and i would like to know both sides.

Thank you.

I would have it. Given that many of the patients in hospital recently were pregnant women I would say it’s important to get it. The effects of the vaccine wane, hence the booster.

www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/pregnant-women-eligible-for-the-covid-19-booster-vaccine-urged-to-take-up-offer/

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/11/one-in-six-most-critically-ill-patients-are-unvaccinated-pregnant-women-with-covid

I've just had mine and am 10 weeks.

I just had mine and I'm 29 weeks. I also had my second jab while I was pregnant. I haven't seen a single reputable source which has provided any risks associated with having the jab in pregnancy - what I have seen from experts has said that they cannot come up with any plausible biological route by which the vaccine could harm an unborn child.

The official advice is to have it, which is supported by research. xo

I've just had my booster a few days ago, am 37 weeks. Have had both vaccines and then the booster in this pregnancy. It was tricky at the beginning as the advice was a little on the fence so I had to weigh up the risks and benefits for myself. Now though, it seems that although there is some uncertainty around the long-term impact of vaccines, the risks of Covid to pregnant mums and their unborn babies is quite clear. Therefore I'd rather protect myself against a known risk than not take up the vaccine based on more vague unknowns - I hope that makes sense!

I had both of mine and have a healthy 15 week old baby. Get the booster.

As you are high risk, I think you should get it asap. Having covid is far too risky for you

I had my booster yesterday at 16 weeks, & would accept another booster in third trimester if offered.

The studies have so far indicated no increased risk of pregnancy loss in those vaccinated during pregnancy (here's one - www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2114466).

The covid vaccine is non-live, & we safely give other non-live vaccines such as flu and whooping cough in pregnancy. The vaccines they avoid giving are live ones (as they can sometimes cause an infection) but this isn't a risk with non-live.

There's a lot of information here: www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/

The evidence in the case of covid infection during pregnancy is starker. There is evidence for an increased risk of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, preterm birth and of women needing breathing assistance.

This study of over 1400 women with covid during the delta wave gives a clear breakdown of the outcomes - www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/news/2194-pregnant-women-now-a-priority-group-for-covid-19-vaccination

Oh, & I had three miscarriages before this pregnancy so I did think carefully about it and I'm happy with the decision to have the booster. I booked it as soon as I became eligible, I've had my flu vaccine & I'm having my whooping cough vaccine ASAP.

The scientists are recommending pregnant women get jabbed. That'd be enough for me. Had DD1 during swine flu and had vaxxhne. DD2 was born before I was eligible for covid vaccine but I would've had it for sure

2 doses will not provide sufficient protection against the omicron variant if it has been over 3 months since your last dose, so definitely I would go ahead with booking your booster, and be particularly cautious until you get it and for at least 2 weeks afterwards until it starts boosting your immunity.

@twinkletoesbluesky

I'm 38 weeks and decided not to have it, for me felt as though the right decision, wasn't enough research at the time etc. So far all good. Fully expect this post to be deleted. This happened last time I posted on a thread like this....

What are your thoughts on the Oxford study in this article? www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/news/2194-pregnant-women-now-a-priority-group-for-covid-19-vaccination

Had my first and second doses during pregnancy, booked the first as soon as they approved it for use in pregnancy as that was what I (and well, the NHS I guess!) had been waiting for. Volunteers at the vaccination centre were so excited to have a pregnant woman come in It was all fine. Also had my whooping cough jab at 20 weeks as usual, and my flu jab at 38 weeks just as the vaccinations for that started.

Prior to being approved for use here, Covid vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) had been given to many pregnant woman in countries such as the US and Israel without incident.

The risk to pregnant women and their babies from Covid is very real, there have been a number of tragic cases

I'm 13 weeks and having my booster on Monday. I do not want to get Covid while pregnant in any shape or form, and it looks like it's soon going to be very hard to avoid so I'd recommend getting it ASAP.

God those figures are scary. First time I've properly looked at them

I’m having my booster tomorrow at 12 weeks, having had my first two doses before becoming pregnant but waited it out a bit before getting this one (was invited in Nov). omicron has really pushed me to get it done - being a parent starts before birth imo and it’s my responsibility to protect us both from getting really ill. There is research in the US and people here have had babies after the vaccine and all has been okay. The research situation isn’t perfect admittedly as not enough time/difficult to experiment on pregnant women. But risk of covid as of now is enough for me to get it done.

Get it. A large study in the US showed no additional risk in getting it while pregnant and pregnancy is a risk factor for severe covid as your immune system is lowered while pregnant. You will also pass antibodies to the baby.

Absolutely get it. The vaccine has been widely used in pregnancy, and shown to cause no safety concerns. The way that pregnant women and babies die of Covid, however, is horrific.

I had my second vaccine at 6 weeks pregnant. Had my booster yesterday at 26 weeks pregnant. Everything is absolutely fine, baby very healthy etc. And I feel much more confident about going into hospital early next year to give birth, with a decent level of protection for me and my baby.

I would definitely get it. I'm 14 weeks pregnant and just tested positive for covid. I would have taken the booster but was waiting for an appointment. I would much rather the vaccine than have to deal with my situation now. My symptoms are not too bad but my DH, DD 10 and DS 2 all have it too so it had been a rough few days so far. I will be taking the booster as soon as I can

They're massively encouraging pregnant women to get it. I got my booster at 30 weeks and have a healthy 3 week old DD. I was so happy to get it hospitals are full of pregnant women with covid it's so dangerous

There was good discussion on this on women's hour the other day on radio 4. The person said pregnancy puts a stress on your heart and lungs and so does covid, which means pregnant women are more at risk. If you are hospitalised, treatment can involve lying you on your front to alleviate the stress but it means delivering the baby early. She was encouraging anyone who was pregnant to get vaccinated because you and your baby are at more risk from covid.

When Chris Whitby gave evidence to MPs last week he said that he seriously regretted the initially unclear messaging around pregnancy and the vaccine, which has done a great deal of harm. Pregnant women are now a priority vaccination group.

I'm 19 weeks and just had my booster. I really didn't want it but I think the alternative is more dangerous. I purposely planned this pregnancy after my second jab and never considered boosters being a thing! It's scary that us pregnant gals are the guinea pig generation and we don't really know the effects but I am trusting the professionals and pray I've made the right decision 🤞🏻