I have been offered the covid vaccine at work so I can have anytime now. The clinic advised I can have it too
I am just a bit confused about having it or not before my cycle in March or say it does work and I didn’t get the vaccine then I’ll be at more risk also is there enough evidence with the vaccine and the IVF drugs etc.
There are so many unknowns and no one knows the right or wrong answer as it’s all new
Just don’t know whether to get the vaccine now or not.
Any advice or experience would be appreciated
Thanks in advance
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Simz143
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There are some new guidelines out from gov.uk and from Royal college of obstetrics and gynaecology. They do ask people who are pregnant and working with direct patient contact (if in healthcare) to consider having the vaccine, as benefits of having it may outweigh the risks at that point. As the risk of covid may be higher. But if you also have other risk factors - not just pregnancy, I am not sure what they advice. It is so many unknowns, so all you can do is weight up your situation or even reach out to your GP for advice perhaps too.
I would advice looking at guidelines from gov.uk, NHS website and rcog.org.uk websites for information to try make an informed decision.
But it is not easy knowing what to do for best. Good luck with your decision ☺️
There shouldn’t be anything in the vaccines that would interfere with IVF meds. There really isn’t anything in the Pfizer jab that should interfere with pregnancy either but as clinical trials in pregnant animals have not been done yet the party line is not to assume it is definitely safe. The Oxford one does contain live adenovirus so I’m less sure about any potential risks to a foetus; I suspect it will be fine as well but time will tell. I’d have no worries taking it non-pregnant but I’d personally want more info if offered the Oxford one while pregnant. Xx
Hi. I was offered the vaccine a couple of weeks ago in work. My cycle starts mid march. I was advised I could take the vaccine so I did. It's a personal decision but I figured I would like some protection before a potential pregnancy if possible. I'm not sure if I'll get the second dose before I start the drugs but I figured I'd cross that bridge closer to the time. Xxx
Hey, I had my vaccine a few days ago and am due an FET next month. I really wasn’t planning to, but I saw that the HFEA website posted advice to be cautious if pregnant, but no need to avoid pregnancy after. I saw some organisations like Tommy’s were even advising vaccination before pregnancy. It’s a tough one and but I do feel safer as I am fearful of getting covid during treatment or how it could affect my egg reserve if I need another fresh cycle. I think I may skip the 2nd dose if the FET works 🤞🏽 as that seems to be current guidance but who knows as these things always change x
I am just curious how did you get to have the Covid vaccine so early. I want to have an IVF egg collection in March/ April time. So I want to have some protection before the treatment. Thanks
Hi Sunflowers, I work in healthcare so was offered it as I come in close contact with people. I hope you get a chance to have it before your treatment. But on the plus side the covid numbers should reduce as the months go on 🤞🏽 x
Hi Maui2020, thanks for your reply. I thought you maybe a health worker. I really hope the infection go down by March/ April time. Good luck with your FET next month. 💐
I work as a carer, dye to start my injections for medicated transfer today. I was offered vaccine in December and my doctors said no, there's new information available and update on RCOG that now says that high risk people are advised to have it, my doctors called me and it Friday, booked me in right away and I had the Astra Zeneca- Oxford yesterday.
It’s a difficult one especially as we’re all being given different advice. I asked my consultant last week who advised I look at the government websites for the latest guidelines, but if I did have it I couldn’t have any treatment for 2 months after
I got the vaccine at the start of Jan, I am due to start treatment end of this week. The guidelines changed to say you could have it and didn't have to wait 2-3 months before trying. I thought it was best to have at least one vaccine than none at all ♡
This is a really tough one! I work in healthcare and was due to start IVF in Jan.After updated JCVI guidance (complete U turn on previous!) which came out on the 30th Dec advising pregnant frontline staff and those with underlying Heath and also those in the bracket TTC my consultant, GP, Occ Health and public Heath advised me to proceed. About 2 weeks prior to starting 1st round of IVF I went for my vaccine. Advised the nurse regarding TTC and she wouldn’t administer as not covered in her PGD. So if you disclose technically no one under medic grade can administer. This is the current stance in my area.
On reflection part of me wished I had kept schtum and had some protection against covid but part is glad I didn’t as I know I wouldn’t take the 2nd if I did fall pregnant so I am better waiting until I can take them both at the original advised gap. Also there are the unknowns. For obvious reasons not tested in pregnancy, however flu vaccine is similar and is known to be safe as enough pregnant women have had it without knowing they are pregnant initially for this to go ahead. I read 29 women fell pregnant in the Oxford (I think) trials but these babies are not born yet I don’t think or data not published.
It really comes down to personal choice after weighing up your relative risk at work etc and discussing with your consultant. But be aware as far as I can see the vaccination clinics (unless you have a medic vaccinating you) won’t vaccinate if you disclose TTC, and in my area you can’t even book if you disclose you are pregnant on booking form, just directs you to your GP.
Sorry for long post, lot of info to get down. Difficult decision, hope you get some support with it. Xxx
Hello! I am due to have a natural FET next week. I had the first dose of the pfizer vaccine on Sunday after a long conversation with the consultant at the vaccination site. She was lovely and called some of her colleagues to give me the best possible advice. They all agreed that NHS and HFEA recommendations say it's ok to have it when trying to conceive and this is pretty much the same case. She also booked my 2nd dose in 3 weeks time so I can get it out the way ASAP. I am now waiting to hear from my fertility consultant to decide if we go ahead with the FET next week or postpone to next cycle so I can get the 2nd dose before having it, which I'll probably do, but the consultant's advice at the vaccination site was to have the first one anyway and then if I decided to go ahead with the FET and it works take a decision about the second dose when it comes to it. She said at least I'll have some immunity 💪💪💪
Hiya, I spotted this free talk discussing this, could be of help? It's a free-to-attend online event about vaccination and assisted conception, taking place on Thursday 4 February 2021 from 5.30pm-7pm (GMT).
Hi, I am in the same position as I can book to have the vaccine this week. After lots of consideration I have decided to have at least the first one to get some protection and I will make a decision regarding the second (which will be April) nearer the time depending on where I am at with my treatment.
Hi, I’ve just been going through the same dilemma, although not offered the vaccine yet I did ask my consultant as was worried about the cocktail of drugs and the fact I would be on a immune suppressant. He advised me to have at least 2months clear of the vaccine prior to treatment and that they may not give immune suppressant this time round.. we are looking at April/May and we’re travelling is as we go to Spain for treatment x
Hi there Simz I had the exact same dilemma a couple of weeks ago and after lots of deliberations and a discussion with my consultant we agreed as I am an essential worker the benefits of having the vaccine outweighed the risk. It’s meant having to delay my next cycle as because there are 2 vaccines I’ve had the first and my next is in March and then I need to wait another month to start my next cycle. I decided that delaying a few months was better than 3 months of stressing about the risks of covid and that stress ultimately affecting my success with a cycle. I would sit and discuss with your partner what your concerns and questions are and then have a good conversation with either your GP or consultant and take it from there. That certainly helped me with making an informed decision. Well good luck with everything and you’ll know what’s right when you weigh it all up. Xx
Ugh, this is exactly my dilemma right now too. I’ve got mine booked in for Weds and should be starting treatment next month. I had decided to go for it and felt better to have some protection against Covid even if I can’t have the second dose (if successful round🤞🏼) However, 2 people last week then gave me their (unrequested!) opinions that they wouldn’t have it and it’s thrown my head in a spin. The professional advice and guidance is just so vague and inconsistent it’s hard to know which way to go isn’t it. And needs to be weighed up with your personal circumstances of your health and job risks. Our fertility consultant said have it. I’m just in 2 minds. Sorry that’s no help or advice but just emphathising with your decision I think! 😂 It seems the majority of people here are going ahead so that’s reassuring xx
Hi, I too got my vaccine last week as my clinic closed due to covid and staff redeployed to hospital, on that basis I took the first vaccine as I know it could be a few months before I get my next apt. The Moderna vaccine has been tested on pregnant animals and there have been no adverse effects noted and Pfizer is currently being tested. Weighing up the risks of covid and the risks of the vaccine I thought surely the vaccine would be better...just hoping I have made the right decision because the more people that get vaccinated the less likely they are to be cautious and it will probably spread more making it riskier for the unvaccinated. I have a little bit of time on my side and can delay the second vaccine if necessary...good luck with whatever decision you make
As vaccines wasn’t tested in pregnant women and tested on non pregnant in a short period of time,I personally wouldn’t take it before ivf
Hi, I was given the vaccine on the 15th of January from work. Was supposed to start treatment from cycle of February, and was not advised by anyone not to take vaccine, rather i spoke to my GP and he did not advise against it. But after speaking to cambridge ivf they have said they are asking patients to not take vaccine. So went back to GP and cant start treatment until 2 months after vaccine so shifted treatment to March. Speak to your GP and ivf nurses, they will give you best advice.
I have seen a youtube report about a pregnant doctor from US who received vaccine. She said, she had consultation with her GP and OB-GYN and I think she also checked on potential allergic reactions...... I would also take the vaccine if I had the opportunity prior to my FET, but being 11 week pregnant, not sure when I would be eligible to be vaccinated. Having a protection is always preferred than being at risk. I would advice you to consult with your doctors and go ahead with their recommendations.
I was having the same dilemma, I am under some investigation due fibroids before starting the IVF, for the time being I will postpone having the vaccine, i tested positive for Covid In December, hopefully that will give me some immunity. Otherwise I would have had to wait few months, I understood 2 or 3 ,before starting the treatment.
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