FET & COVID Vaccine

[Trying6years]

Hi, I have a FET coming up and I have just been called to have my first COVID-19 vaccination. I feel fine about having it done prior to treatment but if successful my second dose would be due in early pregnancy and I don't feel so sure about that.

Before I bother my consultant I just wondered what others were doing?

[Nevergiveup21]

No advice here but would love to hear the replies! I am in the exact same position xxxx

[Trying6years in reply to Nevergiveup21]

I am due to start meds mid June so got a few weeks yet, have you asked your clinic yet?xx

[FoxKinder]

Hey. I had my 1st vaccine prior to starting stims. I will be 10 weeks pregnant tomorrow and was due my 2nd jab. My midwife told me to look at the guidance on the nhs choices website which i did and i have decided not to have my second dose. My midwife said you get most of your protection from your 1st dose so i thought it was better to have one than none at all. I will have my 2nd Jan after baby has arrived x

[Trying6years in reply to FoxKinder]

Hi, thanks and congrats on your pregnancy. I wasn't sure about getting the first one and then delaying the second if pregnant - would I need another 2 doses or just the 1, did your midwife say you can leave that long between?

I am thinking of going for the first and if the FET is unsuccessful at least I can have the second before trying again, I don't want to be unprotected during pregnancy if I get that far but then again I can guess what my anxiety will be like in early pregnancy and don't want the stress of getting a vaccine and then wondering if the baby is ok etc! x

[FoxKinder in reply to Trying6years]

I don't think they know how long you can leave it or how long the vaccine stays in your system at the moment. We may end up having to have an annual jab like the flu every year. I just didn't want to get pregnant with no protection at all so thought i will go for one and they know it is 70% effective x x

[Running79]

Hi

I’m 13 weeks + 2 and not having either until after the birth. I asked the NHS to take me off the list as I was bombarded with calls and texts.

I’d probably even be inclined to leave it until after breastfeeding as well

[Trying6years in reply to Running79]

Hey, thanks for reply, think I spoke to you on my last post. I don't blame you, I currently feel that I would not want it whilst pregnant, especially in the first trimester. So didn't know if there was much point getting the first if I am not getting the second (if successful, maybe wishful thinking but trying to think positive)..but one dose does offer some protection against COVID which is better than none I guess.. Got a few weeks yet before I start meds.Bit concerning though that in this journey we avoid things like caffeine and yet they want me to have a new vaccine that they don't fully know all the outcomes of yet!! x

[Running79 in reply to Trying6years]

Yeah I think we have spoken before!!

For me personally there’s not enough data, with RCOG, JVCI and any other agency seem to say

They keep saying there’s no reported risks - they arn’t allowed to conduct trials on pregnant woman so relying on those who just come forward of their own free will, the no reported risk factors is based on those who have had it feeding information back in

If no one is bothering to do that, then in my eyes no one really knows - I think that’s will be why a lot of doctors of nurses you ask always tow the party line and don’t commit - which in the ‘where there’s a blame there’s a claim’ suing culture you can’t blame them

My first midwife appointment she just handed me a leaflet it wasn’t even discussed so that to me confirms my theory they don’t want to put themselves on the block.

I don’t know how effective one vaccine is to be honest, I know someone said 70 % effective - but surely if you don’t have the second one to back it up it becomes less effective - it might be you have to have it again 🤷‍♀️

There are also people who have had both jabs, been antibody tested and don’t have any - do really the luck of the draw

Good luck in what ever you decide

[XOXO13]

Hey,

I’ve been called up for mine too and due to start a fresh cycle again in the coming few weeks. I rang my GP and asked her for her honest opinion on whether I should get it or hold off... she said government guidance suggests it’s okay to have whilst TTC, however in her personal opinion she would recommend I wait. She said if I wasn’t having treatment for another 12 weeks, then to get it done but because I am, she wouldn’t want me to take any risk and if Covid-19 cases rise, I would isolate anyway. She said the same for my husband, for him to wait until he’s done his bit!

Best of luck xx

[Running79 in reply to XOXO13]

I’m glad you mentioned the GP.

As there isn’t enough data yet on pregnancy as they are not allowed to routinely trial on pregnant woman, the likes of RCOG and JVCI state there are no specific risks known and to ask your GP/Midwife if you have any questions and about risks - well GPS and midwives won’t want to commit so just quote there are no specific risks which I’ve read has happen to a few using this forum, I don’t blame them, as we live in a ‘where there’s a blame there’s a claim culture’ they don’t want to be sued if their advice is wrong. My first midwife appointment she didn’t even discuss it just handed me a leaflet on it.

I recently read a piece from the British fertility society, which from memory was published in February 21 which states if you’ve had a BFP and your at risk or potential exposure to getting Covid to have the vaccine. But then goes onto say if you have no increased risk then to delay it until after pregnancy, they say there is no reason to believe the vaccines are harmful - it’s just that no one knows the effect on pregnancy.

It’s all very conflicting and tbh - the populous are effectively on there own and master of their own destiny

[XOXO13 in reply to Running79]

Yeah, it’s really confusing with so many mixed messages. I voiced my concern to her and just said that I’ve worked so hard to prepare for my fourth transfer that I really didn’t want to take a risk unless there were clear guidelines and confidence that I’d be fine and it wouldn’t impact our chances, and she just said In her own personal opinion, she’d advise me not to get it done now unless my treatment wasn’t starting for another twelve weeks. If I fall pregnant, she said she’d then advise me to wait until I had the baby before getting the vaccine but she heavily reiterated that it was just her personal opinion. We are very safe anyway, and I’d rather isolate than take the vaccine that may or may not have an impact on our transfer xx

[Running79 in reply to XOXO13]

I’d definitely go with that as well!! Like you say we’ve all worked really really hard to get where we are, and I’ll be dammed if I’m going to put myself forward as an experiment at this stage. Because if something happened I’d be kicking myself x

[Ladybugluck]

I had my first dose right before stims and my second dose 3 weeks past transfer after positive pregnancy test. I talked with my best friend who’s a pediatrician about it and my OBGYN, both said the risks associated with getting COVID were higher than the risks with the shot in their option. For example, a high fever for days in early pregnancy can be harmful (common with COVID). So I got it. I didn’t have any side effects other than a bad headache. Honestly glad I’m protected. I think you should consider your level of risk when making this decision.

[Whatarollercoster]

I'm 17 weeks and had my 1st Pfizer vaccine yesterday, I intend to have my second when it's due. After reading the risk of catching covid in the third trimester we decided it was the best decision for us. It's a completely personal choice but after doing lots of reading and my husband being a doctor we felt it was a more informed decision. Whatever you decide is the best for you.