Flu vaccine + Covid vaccine - Fertility Network UK

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Flu vaccine + Covid vaccine

C-a-t-m-u-m profile image
23 Replies

Has anyone who has become pregnant through IVF or treatment had all 4 vaccines and baby’s been ok? I’ve had my whooping cough , and 2x Pfizer but there’s also the Flu. Jab to now consider. It seems like an awful lot! Baby due 2nd week of November.

I always have the Flu jab regardless but not decided if I should wait until baby is here. Only just had my 2nd vaccine at 34 weeks.

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C-a-t-m-u-m profile image
C-a-t-m-u-m
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23 Replies

Morning 🤗 I am 35 weeks preg and having my whooping cough one on weds and ill talk to my doc re flu one. They are around years so after much deliberation and research I think I'll be OK getting them, after everything we go through ivf wise I was just terrified. I decided against the covid vaccines purely just because they aren't approved and not enough research has been done despite the constant push from my consultant which is irritating but I've had covid and I've got antibodies and my twins had it two weeks ago and thankfully I didn't get it again. Its just an each to their own situation isn't it? I believe the flu ones may make you a little ill but have been tried and tested for quite some time so I'll prob get it too to be honest. It's just fear isn't it its awful!!

IvfStruggler profile image
IvfStruggler in reply to

There has been a huge amount of research into the Covid vaccine (mainly that it doesn't cross the placenta) and they have been approved to be used in pregnancy. I understand you would like to make your own decisions but you shouldn't write inaccurate stuff in response to other people's questions. I do find it interesting that people who have done IVF have an anti-medicine (science) stance when we have put so much medicines in our bodies to become pregnant. Most of this medicine has actually been proven to increase the risk of birth defects (it's only very small risk therefore 'acceptable'). We take this medicine because we wanted to get pregnant but now when we are offered to take medicine to actually protect our babies we say no. It doesn't make sense to me.

in reply to IvfStruggler

Oh my god there's always one. Sorry but your nonsense message isn't even worthy of a reply. Utter tripe.

IvfStruggler profile image
IvfStruggler in reply to

And yet you do- in fact- reply. I also want to point out to people that read these post that it's best to get the vaccines in good time (the NHS recommends the whooping cough vaccine between 16-32 weeks of pregnancy). Your body will take a while to build antibodies and it's so important that these are passed on to your baby before birth. Especially if you go through premature labour it could help your little baby at it's most vulnerable.

Jess1981 profile image
Jess1981 in reply to IvfStruggler

I agree completely. It always amazes me some are so against Covid vaccination when we know how dangerous getting Covid in the last trimester can be for both mother and baby. People are entitled to do what feels right for them but not to give out false information and put others at risk. 😞 I have both vaccinations ( one just before we conceived and second at 14 weeks) and having my flu vaccination tomorrow. And at some point the whooping cough vaccination. I see the vaccinations as keeping my baby safer. Xx

Boo718 profile image
Boo718 in reply to IvfStruggler

I actually find your reply a bit unfair to be honest. The covid vaccine hasn’t been out that long. I’ve been doing ivf for a while now and I genuinely wouldn’t get the covid jab if I was pregnant. Now that’s my personal opinion. I don’t believe it has been researched enough also my personal opinion. It doesn’t make it wrong. People have different views on things which is fine you are pro covid jab in pregnancy I am not. But there’s really no need for such a tone in your reply. We ivf warriors are going through enough without that xxx

IvfStruggler profile image
IvfStruggler in reply to Boo718

Of course your entitled to your opinion. But by saying you wouldn't have the jab because it is unsafe (which isn't true) there is a danger of influencing other people not to have the jab either. In the worst case scenario these people and their babies may end up in hospital or even worse... When I had my jab while pregnant (after many many rounds of ivf and multiple losses) I had to cry and was so scared because I had read so many posts that said that I had done something that was wrong (or at least something they would 'never' do). I'm a primary school teacher and already put myself and my baby at huge risk of catching Covid. It's depressing to hear others saying they remain unvaccinated and risk other peoples health as well as their own. Now when I see people saying incorrect things about the vaccine I hope someone will also read the replies and hears different opinions. I don't mean to have any specific 'tone'.

KiboXX profile image
KiboXX in reply to Boo718

The best place to find up to date information on Covid and pregnancy is RCOG. You can find their latest guidance here: rcog.org.uk/globalassets/do...

The scientific facts are that getting Covid whilst pregnant doubles your risk of stillbirth and gives you a 2-3 times higher risk of preterm labour.

The latest hospital figures show that 1 in 5 patients in critical care are pregnant and unvaccinated.

rcog.org.uk/en/news/rcog-su...

It’s absolutely your decision whether to get to the vaccine or not and I understand it’s an emotional topic but over 200,000 pregnant women have had it without any issues. The risk of Covid however is devastating and clearly shown in the facts.

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy

'Flu is going to be bad this year and it is particularly bad for pregnant women in their third trimester. By getting it during pregnancy the baby will also be born with some protection. There's no scientific reason to think having the 'flu jab would be harmful just because you have had other jabs. I've had both COVID jabs, 'flu on Monday, then whooping cough in a few weeks. There's no way I'm risking getting 'flu or COVID while I am pregnant - this baby is far too precious! xx

Lkc2015 profile image
Lkc2015 in reply to Purpledoggy

I agree I think flu will be bad this year. By getting jab while pregnant you’ll give protection to the baby before they’re born. November babies need the extra help as they are little when all the winter viruses go around. I’m 36 weeks and have had mine for this reason. (Also trying to get my relatives to get theirs early)

Liberty82 profile image
Liberty82 in reply to Lkc2015

Did you have any side effects after the flu vaccine? I don't know anyone who has had it yet. X

Lkc2015 profile image
Lkc2015 in reply to Liberty82

The next day slightly achy but I normally get this with flu vaccine

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy in reply to Liberty82

My arm was very slightly achy after the 'flu jab for 24h (barely noticeable unless my cat headbutted me right on the spot!) but that was it. Same with both COVID jabs (maybe slightly more painful arm). I know whooping cough is going to hurt like a bitch because it also contains tetanus toxoid - I was only jabbed 7 years ago against tetanus for work purposes and my arm hurt for a month. So I have that to look forward to 😂 xx

C-a-t-m-u-m profile image
C-a-t-m-u-m

Thank you ladies after speaking to my midwife and Health visitor going to pop into my doctors. I normally have the flu jab anyway every year! 😊

DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK

Hi C-a-t-m-u-m. My honest opinion would be to have the flu jab now, so you can build up before you have your baby. All ladies I've dealt with have had all vaccines that have been offered, whether pregnant or trying. Sooner or later we're going to get hit by a bad flu epidemic, which we can all do without. Hope all goes well with the birth, and baby pops out all nice and clean with his/her nappy on!! I wish! Diane

C-a-t-m-u-m profile image
C-a-t-m-u-m

Thank you, I’ve actually been into my docs today to put my name on the list for an appointment in weeks time- they will contact me with an appointment 😊 I spoke to my health visitor too yesterday afternoon.

Running79 profile image
Running79

I’m slightly behind you, nearly 33 weeks - I’ve had both whooping cough and flu vaccine, both of these had been used for many years and this is why I had them

I will have my covid vaccinations after the birth - the studies I read from the US made me raise an eyebrow and there wasn’t any long term studies in child development for me, mainly because it was so new, so I decided not to have them, but everyone needs to make their own mind up on that front

Liberty82 profile image
Liberty82

Hi, just wanting to hear what other people would do, I'm very much pro vaccine but I do tend to react badly to them with a fever etc, I had my first AZ jab before getting pregnant which I had a bad fever with, thankfully when I got the 2nd at 16 weeks pregnant I had no side effects probably due to me being ill with the first. Had my whooping cough vaccine at 27 weeks and felt run down afterwards, baby had reduced movements the next day but I think that's more likely to be coincidence and she was absolutely fine I'm just a very anxious ftm. Now I'm 35 weeks, I haven't been called for my flu jab yet and with very little time left and wanting the baby to have some immunity I booked it privately through boots to have it done on fri. As I understand it needs 2 weeks to kick in so baby should get some immunity. Im planning to isolate from 37 weeks anyway as don't want to catch anything before giving birth. I had the flu jab 2 years ago and had horrible side effects from it including very high fever. Now I'm actually debating getting it while still pregnant, I'm worried a fever could effect the baby, I'm also aware there's not much time from 35 weeks to get much immunity from my flu vaccine and is it worth the risk of the high fever? But then again I'm desperate for her to have some immunity as I'll already be super anxious with covid anyway. This baby has been waited for for 8 years so I just want to do what's best for her. Sorry for the long post x

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy in reply to Liberty82

One thing to consider is you (and baby) will remain vulnerable to 'flu after the birth if you don't have it. While 'flu is of much greater risk to you while preggers, it won't be nice at all to get it with a new baby (not sure if you have ever had genuine 'flu but it is pretty horrific - I could not get out of bed for a week, hallucinated due to fever despite paracetamol, lost nearly a stone in 1 week - anyone who *thinks* they have 'flu absolutely does not!). Obviously you could get the vaccine after the birth instead but if you are already anxious it is one more thing to worry about. Regarding the fever and potential impact on in utero baby, it would be best to discuss with your midwife or obstetrician - my understanding is fever from a vaccine is unlikely to be serious enough to cause any significant effects, and should be controllable with paracetamol, but they are the ones in the know. I took paracet 1h before I had mine and then a few hours after as I had to work. Definitely chat this one through with one of your medical professionals xx

C-a-t-m-u-m profile image
C-a-t-m-u-m

I totally understand where you’re coming from, I’ve decided to have mine- I’m on a waiting list at my doctors for them to contact me this week or next. I’m normally fine after my flu jab. My health visitor did say I would totally advise you to get it as you want to be poorly a week into having a new born baby etc. Plus I guess I know the flu jab has been given to pregnant ladies for years! I totally understand and feel slightly the same.

Liberty82 profile image
Liberty82

I've also decided to have mine, I'm so anxious about it but it's more for the baby to have immunity because I can get it after she's born . I hope I have the nerve to go through with it. I've been anxious about the other vaccines too but really felt they were absolutely necessary whereas this isn't as I'm so close to giving birth now but I want to do the right thing by my baby. It's really tough isn't it! At least you've never reacted badly to it before so it's very unlikely for you to have a bad reaction this time.

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy in reply to Liberty82

If it makes you feel any better, I usually feel a bit naff after my 'flu jab (not raging fever but definitely out of sorts for 24h), and this one during pregnancy is the least I have ever reacted to it. I was much better with my COVID jabs than husband (who also had Pfizer), and lesser systemic COVID jab reactions in pregnant women relative to non-pregnant were noted in the big NJEM paper from the US. Pregnancy dampens your immune system a bit so it does make sense that one might react less to a vaccine. So, hopefully you won't have as strong a reaction to it. xx

Marisa32 profile image
Marisa32

I had all 4 vaccines while pregnant and all is good. Baby healthy and happy.

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