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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Feel pressured to get Covid vaccine... 13 weeks

82 replies

gonewithtthewind · 10/08/2022 06:32

So I'm 13 weeks 1 day. I've had two covid jabs before I was pregnant, I am NOT an anti vaxx person at all. I've had nearly every vaccine offered to me. I will be having my whooping cough vaccine at 16 weeks.

I was offered my booster covid jab at 12 weeks but refused as I just feel a bit uneasy getting the covid jab while pregnant, I know how silly that may sound but it just scares me. I was fine with my first covid jab but very I'll with my second jab which is why I never got the booster in the end. Ever since I feel like I've been pressured by the midwife to get the booster jab, despite me refusing. I've just said I would think about it. I don't really know what to do? Pros/cons? Did you have it when pregnant?

I don't want to be bashed for not getting the booster, I do believe covid is still around. I wear a mask everywhere I go and have done since the beginning. I just hate the pressure and hate feeling like I'm putting my baby at risk because that's absolutely not what I want but at the same time I'm scared of the risk of the covid jab while pregnant and what affect that will have on my baby. I will get the booster once I've given birth if I decide against it when pregnant; I just feel so unsure.

OP posts:
Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 10/08/2022 06:39

It’s obviously your decision but has anyone explained to you that your immune system is lower in pregnancy and the outcomes of getting covid in pregnancy? Look at they type of mask you are wearing. Standard medical masks only prevent you passing it on you need a hugher standard to prevent you from catching it.

Original poster
gonewithtthewind · 10/08/2022 06:41

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 10/08/2022 06:39

It’s obviously your decision but has anyone explained to you that your immune system is lower in pregnancy and the outcomes of getting covid in pregnancy? Look at they type of mask you are wearing. Standard medical masks only prevent you passing it on you need a hugher standard to prevent you from catching it.

Not really but I am aware my immune system is lower in pregnancy. I think my issue is I'm just scared of either getting it or not getting it, I just feel a bit stuck in the middle!

OP posts:
clickychicky · 10/08/2022 06:42

Have you had covid? Or not?

Original poster
gonewithtthewind · 10/08/2022 06:43

clickychicky · 10/08/2022 06:42

Have you had covid? Or not?

No, I've never had it

OP posts:
Believeitornot · 10/08/2022 06:46

What were your first and second jabs? Your booster may be a different one. Also how long were you ill for post second jab? How long has it been since the second jab?

my DH was unwell for 24 hours after his second jab but fine after his booster (first two was AZ, booster was Pfizer).

I would speak to a healthcare professional to explain exactly what you’re worried about and why. There’s emerging evidence that having covid during pregnancy does impact on baby but as you’ve had two vaccines I assume the risk is lower but I don’t know.

Enb76 · 10/08/2022 06:48

The risks are actually fairly low. As far as I can see, all stats are about vaccinated vs unvaccinated and you are vaccinated. If you were completely unvaccinated you would have only a 9% increased chance of risking a prem or low weight birth. I don’t know the stats for vaccinated but unboostered.

I really don’t think there would be any harm to your baby should you get a booster jab but equally, there is unlikely to be any issue if you don’t have the jab. Make the decision you feel most comfortable with.

Brented · 10/08/2022 06:48

The effect it will have on your baby is to offer protection to both you and them. What are your other concerns about affect on the baby? I had both shots and booster and got Covid when they were a young baby and I felt pretty bad, my baby had Covid too and it was extremely mild. If it were me I would do all I could to protect my baby. You’ve explained the positives of the booster, but I’m not clear on what you think the negatives are?

KangarooKenny · 10/08/2022 06:49

You and baby are more at risk due to the pregnancy, you know that. I would certainly encourage you to have it before flu season. You will be offered a flu jab too ( I had flu in late pregnancy, it wasn’t pleasant) so you might want to split them up.

Original poster
gonewithtthewind · 10/08/2022 06:49

My first was the 5th of April and my second was the 31st of May. I was I'll for about a week after. I've tried talking to the midwife but it's all just very pressurised.

OP posts:
Fizzybubblegumbottles · 10/08/2022 06:50

I gave birth 5 weeks ago. Had 2 covid jabs before I fell pregnant and decided not to
have the booster. I caught covid at 22 weeks pregnant luckily had it mild. I was never pressured in to having the booster though.

OooohAhhhh · 10/08/2022 06:55

I refused the booster when pregnant as well, no one battered an eye lid. Your body, your choice.

ittakes2 · 10/08/2022 06:56

Did you have your jabs this year or last year?

Original poster
gonewithtthewind · 10/08/2022 06:57

ittakes2 · 10/08/2022 06:56

Did you have your jabs this year or last year?

This year

OP posts:
Pepperama · 10/08/2022 06:58

The general wisdom from scientific studies is that it’s safer for you and the baby to have the vaccination than for you to get Covid without protection (or out of date protection). Most people recover fine either way but there is a slightly higher chance of a severe bout of Covid that puts you in hospital during pregnancy. This is because of the way your immune system adapts to carrying a baby - it’s a little ‘stranger’ who has moved in and usually the immune system would fight it off. So that’s why midwives keep encouraging people to get boosted, just to give that bit of extra protection to you both.

justanotherlaura · 10/08/2022 06:59

Us pregnant people are being included in the autumn booster coming this year, only clinically vulnerable people and those over 50 are getting it, not the rest of the population.

They think it's important for us to get a fourth dose, personally that makes me think the booster must be important but it definitely has to be your choice, don't feel bullied into it

purplegal · 10/08/2022 07:04

Don't feel bad about this it is such a difficult decision! I chose not to have any jabs before getting pregnant as I had read about possibilities menstrual irregularities. TTC is tough enough. I previously had covid and it was very mild. I got pregnant in Jan. at my ~12 week appointment I asked the midwife if she could help me book the jab and explained I wanted to wait until my second trimester. She launched into all these stats about how important it is to have during pregnancy/risks etc. I was very firm with her and asked her to stop there as I had explained what a difficult decision it had been for me and had just told her I would now have it (I do not like this midwife for various reasons and dread having to see her!) I had two jabs (Moderna) in my second trimester, I felt absolutely fine after both and baby is doing well. I caught covid again in June - fortunately it was mild once more. I don't know if the jabs helped or not but I did feel better knowing I had done all I could to prevent worse symptoms. Initially I didn't fancy having the booster either but I might do as I am due in September so will be 3 months after my last infection and it will provide antibodies for my baby.

I Probably haven't helped too much but just wanted to let you know you weren't alone in being worried. It's still relatively new with unknown long term side effects so it's difficult to know what to do best. But I was personally pleased I had it. Weigh it up and make a decision for you - NOT your midwife. Be firm with her and tell her she is there to advise not pressure you!!
Let us know how you get on and good luck with your pregnancy xx

mummyh2016 · 10/08/2022 07:08

Just to try and put your mind at rest OP, I had all 3 jabs (2 x doses plus booster) during my last pregnancy at 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 34 weeks. DS is absolutely fine.

Bodice · 10/08/2022 07:10

if you’ve had the jabs this year I wouldn’t be too concerned about getting a booster. Half the reason for a booster is due to the time elapsed between jabs as the antibodies wane.

romdowa · 10/08/2022 07:10

I refused the covid vaccines when pregnant last year, one hcp insisted on trying to guilt me into it and I just shut them down and told them that I'm not going to discuss it any further. You are well within your rights to refuse any and all medical care . Some hcps need reminding of that fact sometimes.

LT2 · 10/08/2022 07:14

I haven't had any covid vaccine. When I was offered my first one I was newly pregnant. I caught covid at 17 weeks. It was very mild, milder than a common cold. Baby is nearly 7 months. I've since caught it covid again and it was the same - very mild. I don't want to persuade you either way as obviously some will suffer more than others, but they also tried to pressure me to have it.

Bodice · 10/08/2022 07:16

You might consider later consider later in your pregnancy when you feel more comfortable, to give antibodies in the later stages of pregnancy.

FlyOnTheWall89 · 10/08/2022 07:17

@gonewithtthewind your body, your baby, your choice. Don't feel pressured, it is a really personal decision. Ultimately, regardless of what anyone says, it is relatively new in terms of research and outcomes. You've had the 2 jabs. You can always decide later on in the pregnancy if you change your mind.

passport123 · 10/08/2022 07:19

Your decision, but undoubtedly the benefits outweigh the risks ++++
covid is still around and pregnant women are dying of it in the third trimester. You're past the first trimester so things are largely made and the baby just needs to cook! Maybe get your 20 week scan then do it?

Squiff70 · 10/08/2022 07:20

OP, I do understand your concerns. It's hard putting drugs including vaccines into our bodies during pregnancy when we have no idea if or how they might affect our unborn babies. The urge to protect them from conception is extremely strong - and for good reason.

What I will say though is that I had my 3rd vaccine (not booster but full dose as I am CEV) two days before I found out I was pregnant last December.

This time two weeks ago, at 36 weeks pregnant, I was in HDU with Covid. I tested positive on the Monday, and on the Tuesday my breathing went rapidly downhill and I ended up in high dependency in maternity, on oxygen having lots of tests and scans. They started giving me steroid injections to mature the baby's lungs because there was a high chance they'd have to deliver him early. I also had to have blood-thinning injections, IV anti-biotics, fluids, the works. At one point they mentioned they might need to move me to ICU as I had a chest injection as well as Covid (hence the antibiotics). Thankfully I turned a corner after 36 hours, the baby stayer put and I was moved to a normal antenatal ward from HDU.

At the time, my partner and 2 year old daughter also had Covid so they couldn't visit the hospital. If they'd needed to deliver the baby early, my partner wouldn't have been able to be there because he had to look after our little girl, and he couldn't have left her with friends or family whilst SHE was positive. I would have had to go through an emergency c-section alone and my partner would have missed the birth of his son.

It was very, very scary.

Please really consider this. Lots of babies have been born healthy during the pandemic after their mums had been vaccinated during pregnancy but only you can decide what you feel is best for you and your baby. Personally, I'd urge you to have the vaccine because it seems the benefits outweigh the risks.

passport123 · 10/08/2022 07:20

romdowa · 10/08/2022 07:10

I refused the covid vaccines when pregnant last year, one hcp insisted on trying to guilt me into it and I just shut them down and told them that I'm not going to discuss it any further. You are well within your rights to refuse any and all medical care . Some hcps need reminding of that fact sometimes.

No-one here is saying that she has to have it. But not having it is an avoidable risk and I have been involved with the care of women who have lost their babies and come close to losing their lives which would probably have been prevented by the covid vaccine. So it's a big decision not to have it.