To booster or not?

[Phoebenooby]

What is everyone’s thoughts on having the Covid booster during pregnancy?

[Picalilli99]

I’m booked to have mine tomorrow. I know it’s a tricky decision and appreciate people feel very differently about it. But I found that all the professionals I’ve spoken to have emphasised that the dangers of catching COVID when pregnant are far riskier than the vaccine itself (with many unvaccinated pregnant women with COVID ending up in ICU units). So that’s what I based my decision on xx

[N-A-58]

My midwife said not to have the booster (I am double jabbed) unless I have a respiratory issue. I’m not saying she is right or wrong, it was her and her midwife friends advice. I have therefore not had the booster.

[Sanjuni]

I am pregnant and had my booster a couple of days ago. My clinic said it was my choice either way but the nurse said she would if it was her. Glad I did! I think the main concern is if you have an adverse reaction but they are rare. You will need the MRNA vaccine (Pfizer/Moderna) if pregnant.

[Vic2108]

I'm 16 weeks and I'll be having mine as soon as I'm eligible, the risk of complications from covid if you catch it while pregnant are high, especially after 28 weeks. I'm six months away from my second jab in Jan but as they changed the rule to 3 months yesterday I'm going to ring up today to see if I can book in 👍

[Pupster83]

I’m really interested to see what everyone thinks about this. I have a second scan to check things on Thursday and it’s one of the questions I was going to ask the clinic. My cousin is a respiratory consultant and so hear about the number of pregnant women with covid she’s dealing with and how unwell some of them are but the majority of them are totally unvaccinated and I’m already double jabbed as I made sure I’d had both doses before we started our last round of ICSI so I know I should have a reasonable level of protection already. There is part of me that definitely wants a booster as my second jab was already over 6 months ago to make sure myself and baby are as well protected as possible, the other part of me says it has taken 5 years to get pregnant and we’ve only just had a confirmed heartbeat so is it really worth taking the risk of having a reaction to the booster. Difficult decision for everyone I’m sure.

[Ac22 in reply to Pupster83]

Congratulations! The guidance given is that you shouldn't have a vaccine until 12 weeks because they don't know the impact it will have on the fetus. You might want to check if this is still true.

[KiboXX in reply to Ac22]

The RCOG guidance is you can have the vaccine at any point during your pregnancy, including the first trimester x

[KiboXX]

I’m 19 weeks and have my booster booked for 2 weeks time. I personally wanted to have it as soon as they would let me as I’m now 6 months past my second jab and want the best protection I can for my third trimester.

All the midwifes I’ve spoken to have recommended getting it as soon as it’s available to you due to the dangers of catching covid later on in pregnancy. The best place to read up to date and factual information on covid, the vaccine and pregnancy is RCOG website xx

[MrsOrangejuice]

I'm 18 weeks and want to get is asap. So many people we know have caught it recently and been unwell, and they've had no pre-existing health conditions and been doubled jabbed - they didn't end up in hospital but some have them were ill for for several weeks and still feeling the effects. If your immune system is lower in pregnancy then it's possible it would hit harder. I've had flu and whooping cough jabs so far this pregnancy, and I was fine after both covid jabs. I want to protect me and the little one especially to cover the third trimester as after everything we've gone through I don't want to risk it (although I know the same argument could be used the other way, but then the only option seems to be self-isolate throughout and how does that work with all the midwife visits and scans etc). X

[Positivechangeplease]

Definitely getting my booster- booked for Sat. Data checked so far is that the vaccination has no adverse affects - which is contrary to covid which can have catastrophic effects in pregnancy. I personally don’t want to take the risk.

[sj482]

This is a tough one! I am due to have FET on Friday EEEK!!! I became eligible for my booster last week but I decided to put it off as I want my body to focus on thickening my lining for hopefully a successful attempt. My reasoning was that although it has been 6 months since my second jab I recently had COVID and know I have antibodies from that (I was tested). I think once I am pregnant (fingers crossed) I would have it! My clinic were happy with my decision, its a really hard one and a personal one especially as everyones circumstances are soooo different!

[Fizzbip]

I would do it

[Pnw2020]

Hi. I had my flu vaccine followed by the covid booster a few weeks later both in first trimester. Can’t say I had any side effects apart from a sore arm but then I was feeling pretty rubbish anyway. This is a good resource:

rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-r...

[Hidden]

Hi! My clinic suggests to get the vaccine in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. And if I'll get pregnant before I can get my 3rd dose I'll wait until the 2nd trimester.