Covid vaccine in pregnancy

[Sinia]

Hi. I am 37 years old, suffering from mild asthma.I am currently 23weeks pregnant with my first baby. My pregnancy is qualify as a higher risk due to my BMI and asthma. I don't know if I should get a covid vaccine? My midwife say that better wait until baby is born as its a lot of unknown and know side effects,while everyone in hospital is trying to convince me that I should get a vaccine.. Specially with the new delta variant.. I don't know what to do? Anyone is pregnant and take the vaccine? Please... I don't want to risk that anything happens with my baby.. Most likely I will be offered Pfizer vaccine... 😉

[Seb9]

It doesn't sound like your midwife is following the latest guidance from the Royal college of midwives. They're are rcm.org.uk/vaccine-facts/

The RCOG, JCVI, NHS etc have all said that pregnant woman should have the vaccine, so maybe she just needs to update her records.

I had my vaccine as soon as the recommendation changed and have had both my Pzizer vaccinations, at 20 & 26 weeks. Baby is doing well and I'm now 36 weeks pregnant, and they're kicking away as I type. I have extra growth scans because of gestational diabetes and all my scans are showing baby growing well.

I didn't have any side effects and only a sore arm at the injection side for a couple of days.

I think that the numbers are showing that there's no issues with getting the vaccine during pregnancy, whereas getting covid during pregnancy leads to a higher likelihood of needing hospitalisation. I'm 39,have a high BMI and gestational diabetes, so for me the risk of getting covid and being very sick was too big a risk to take.

Taken from the government website into a study about the dosing interval for pregnant woman: vaccinegov.uk/government/news/new-...

Following 130,000 pregnant women being vaccinated in the US and no safety concerns being raised, the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were recommended by the independent experts at the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for pregnant women in the UK. Almost 52,000 pregnant women in England have now been vaccinated – similarly, with no safety concerns reported.

Data published last week by NHS England and the University of Oxford also shows no pregnant women who have had both doses of a vaccine have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Only 3 have been admitted after having their first dose, meaning 98% of those admitted to hospital have not received a jab.

[Sinia in reply to Seb9]

Thank you so much for your help. I will seriously consider to book my vaccine soon.I also heard opinion that if I really want to be protected, but don't put my baby in potential risks I can get 1st dose around/after 35 weeks pregnancy and second dose when baby is born. The problem is that I currently still working I am not sure if waiting for that long have any sense. Also the first dose would not protect me fully when I will go to labour so in my opinion its better to book first dose ASAP.

Thank you so much for your message. I find it very helpful

[Seb9 in reply to Sinia]

I would advise getting it as soon as you can as you need a few weeks after your second dose to have full protection and you're most at risk in your third trimester.so if you had it now you could get your second dose while you're pregnant and have the full protection when you're most at risk.

I waited till just after my 20 week scan so I was happy that baby was healthy, and had no other underlying issues and then I got it booked in as soon as the guidance updated. I double checked with my GP that it was OK to go ahead, but that was purely because I was one of the first to get it after the guidance changed and they were happy for me to go ahead.

Good luck with whatever you decide and hope you have a lovely healthy pregnancy xx

[RhinoCat in reply to Seb9]

Yeah, what Seb said

[Elle_hope in reply to Seb9]

Yes to what Seb said!

[Anhan1]

Hello, I’m 33 weeks and have had both vaccines. When I first went to see midwives advice was not to get the vaccine but they have completely changed advice now. There was a recent report about an alarming number of this in hospital with COVID are pregnant because so few have taken up the vaccine. My personal view is the risk of having COVID is worse than the risk to the baby. We have other vaccines in pregnancy and it’s hard because this one is new but think it’s important to try and keep as safe as possible, having both has certainly made me feel safer x

[Jess1981]

Agree with seb9 the royal college of midwives and obstetricians are now advising pregnant women to get vaccinated. I can't add much more- except Carrie Johnson has had her 2nd Covid vaccination- she is saying 200,000 pregnant women have hd it in the uk and no bad effects whereas having Covid has been linked to pre term labour and still birth and women ending up in intensive care unit. A health care assistant told me there was a very poorly pregnant women in intensive care unit and as she had been on leave didn't know if she had survived. 🥲The risks of Covid are far worse than the vaccination. I struggled with making the decision but if medics are advising it it has to be safe. I had my first vaccination a week before conceiving and hasn't impacted this pregnancy, I had my dating scan and all is well. Having my second vaccination when I'm 14 and a half weeks Xx

[Purpledoggy]

Agree with the above that all official guidance is to get the vaccine. England’s most senior midwife has also been publically urging pregnant women to get it. Your widwife is going against all official medical guidance, which isn’t very responsible at all. I had my first jab at 13 weeks and getting my second at 21 weeks, which my GP and midwife were very supportive of xx

[Sinia]

Thank you all for help. Really appreciate it 😚

[Minnie92]

Agree with everything said above, Iv had my first and second jab and I’m 25 weeks no complications, the risk covid in pregnancy far outweighs the side effects of the vaccine x

[CAS2]

I’ve had mine at 20 weeks. The risk of getting Covid in pregnancy far outweighs anything else for me. Having my second in September. Hoping it transfers to my babies too and they get some protection.

[andrina25]

google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theg...

Definitely get the vaccine. I called the pregnancy helpline and the midwife highlighted that so many pregnant women currently in ICU. So don’t risk.

[Sinia in reply to andrina25]

Thank you. I will book my first jab as I see that so many pregnant women took it and they and babies are absolutely fine.

[Belle1986]

I’ve had both my jabs now I’m 25 weeks pregnant. I just come to the conclusion to have mine one due my husband not being well. But also you never no there are risks with everything in life so it is truly down to you. My little man is growing healthy and had no issue.

But also I had a friend that got COVID whilst being pregnant before the vaccine had come out and was very poorly. She and baby are completely fine now and doing really well.

Once again it is completely down to you. Don’t feel like your being forced into doing it by anyone it is completely your choose and you no your body.

[Omlettepuddle]

Hi, I am also asthmatic, 38 and classed as high risk due to my BMI. I've had my first jab and have the second one booked in to have soon. I'm 18 weeks and baby is happy and healthy. For me it was a balanced risk decision as the risks of me being ill with covid in the third trimester might be a lot worse than any side effects from the vaccine. Like whooping cough, flu jab and other tests though, it's your decision as to what is right for you and what's right for others might not feel right for you. Definitely worth checking out reliable sources of info from Royal College of Midwives. Midwives and doctors are people too and have their own opinions but should support you to make an informed decision based on fact not their own personal views.

[Sinia in reply to Omlettepuddle]

Thank you. After reading all responses I am convinced that I will book my first jab in next week as I just had wooping cough vaccine so I need to wait around 1 week. Thank you so much. Wish you and your baby all the best 😘

[triplecats]

Hi Sinia, Whilst people are saying to have the vaccine I am in the minority that doesn't agree with having it during pregnancy. I am a very high risk pregnancy, I have gestational diabetes which I'm having to take tablets as well as insulin, I have to take daily clexane injections (blood thinners) as well as various other medications. I had 1 dose of vaccine the month before I fell pregnant and have been offered it again whilst pregnant. After much discussion with my husband and midwife and my consultant they all agree for me to wait until after the pregnancy and breastfeeding. The reason being is that although they are saying the vaccine is safe whilst pregnant what they can't say is if these vaccinations may have any long term effects on the baby. The virus is new, the vaccine is new, there most definitely is not enough research to say that it is safe for my unborn child. When I said this to my consultant he agreed with me. The majority of midwives I have spoken to have said many women have the same view as me. Whatever you decide just be sure it is your decision, don't feel pressurised to have it if you don't want it.

[Sinia in reply to triplecats]

Hi. I Just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, my appointment with midwife is next Wednesday so until that I try to read how to manage it by diet. I know it not gonna be easy but I will do anything to keep my baby safe

[Seb9 in reply to Sinia]

I've got gestational diabetes, I'm on Metformin and insulin, and thinners because of my age and BMI, had it in both pregnancies, but definitely worse this time round. I would definitely say to get your vaccination booked in if you've got GD as if you get Covid-19 it can be really hard to manage your blood sugars with a fever and when you're not feeling well it can be a real struggle to eat well and exercise, which are the most important things with GD.

I had a regular cold about 3 weeks ago and that was hard enough. Only being able to take paracetamol, not eat all my favourite comfort foods or feel up to going on my normal walks, made me so pleased that I've got some protection against covid.

Hopefully your diabetes team are as lovely and supportive as mine, they've been fantastic. I've just had my final appointment with them and they're all amazing xx

[Sinia in reply to Seb9]

Thank you for your reply. I trying to walk minimum 30min a day, eat low sugar or sugar free food (wholegrain bread, wegetables, fruits instant of smoothies and waiting for my first appointment. Can you please tell me something more about the exercise you doing..? You mentioned that its very important.? Any other advice you can give me?

[Seb9 in reply to Sinia]

So with diabetes you have to eat low sugar and low carbohydrate, I can't tolerate much fruit at all, definitely no smoothies, very minimal potatoes or wholemeal pasta. I can eat two small slices of wholemeal bread but not a normal loaf and only when paired with something high in fat and protein like cheese on toast. You do need some carbs so you don't go into Ketosis which they don't like you doing while you're pregnant, so they'll test your urine at each diabetes appointment to check for ketone. You should soon get given a blood test monitor and have to take a reading for your fasting levels when you get up, and then an hour after every meal to see what your sugar levels are. So from this you'll work out what you can and can't tolerate. Some people find they can eat porridge for example but for me it sent me over, even paired with full fat milk.

My consultant advised me to go for a walk after my lunch and evening meals as it helps to burn off the food you've eaten and can help to lower your sugar levels, so you can eat a few more carbs with your meal. It definitely helped me control it in the beginning, but my fasting levels I couldn't get down without insulin and as my pregnancy progressed just walking wasn't enough to bring it down so I had to take Metformin and insulin alongside the low carb diet and exercise.

This website has been really helpful for me, in terms of recipes and advice.

gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/

[Sinia in reply to Seb9]

Thank you so much. You really helped me. Wishing you and your baby all the best.

[Sinia]

Thats exactly why I haven't been vaccinated before. I am worried about the side effects on the baby.

[Purpledoggy in reply to Sinia]

On the flipside, we also don’t know the long term effects of in utero CoV2 infection. We know the virus causes cognitive deficits in recovered adults, for example, as the virus readily infects the brain as well as causing microclots (like mini strokes), so if it is able to infect the foetus (and the jury is still out regarding to what degree this happens) the long term developmental effects on cognitive function in babies infected in utero remain unknown. The virus is just as experimental as the vaccine Xx

[Seb9 in reply to Sinia]

All the reading I've done had said that the actual vaccine is unlikely to even cross the placenta into baby, because your body reacts to it very quickly and soon gets rid of it, that's how the immune response is created, your body sees its not meant to be there and creates what it needs to, to remove it.So the only thing that then teaches your placenta and goes into baby is the anti bodies needed to attack the virus, which then gives baby the anti bodies too, giving them protection. It's not a live virus so there's no risk or you or baby getting the actual virus.

The risk of getting the virus for mum and baby are much more unknown than the side effects and risks of the vaccine.

Good luck with your decision xx

[Mcra]

Another person here fully vaccinated, 31 weeks and the baby is doing well, kicking strong as I type. When it was possible to vaccinate I had no doubts. And now, as previous posters wrote, advice has changed to urge women to get it as soon as possible in pregnancy. I feel so much safer being in third trimester, especially that like you I have a mild asthma.For me there were many factors that were important:

- Covid vaccine is not a life vaccine so there's no risk of catching the disease from it. And pregnant women have been successfully vaccinating against whooping cough and flu.

- the risk of getting seriously ill with Covid in third trimester goes up significantly. And 98% of pregnant Covid patients in hospitals are not vaccinated. Remaining 2% hadn't had their second dose yet.

- there's a chance baby will get antibodies from the vaccine.

- nothing we put into our body comes without risk, but we do it because the benefits outweigh that risk. Any medicine has warnings of serious side effects, including over the counter painkillers like paracetamol, which is considered very safe in pregnancy.

- People who recover from Covid can suffer long term consequences, some we know of, some we don't. I have a friend suffering from long Covid and he before was a healthy young adult with no chronic conditions, so no one is immune.

[Jess1981]

It is very helpful and reassuring for me to hear other pregnant women having both vaccinations and their babys being fine 😊 . I had my first vaccination literally conceived a week later and have booked up my second vaccination for a week on Saturday where I'll be 14 +4 tho I feel it's the best decision for us both it is quite nerve racking. I've had 3 early miscarriages and a late loss at 20 weeks Xx

[Andia1]

Your midwife is right, there is a lot not known side effects yet and honestly I wouldn't risk baby life over someone on here or anywhere telling me to do so. It's very risky decision and it was on the news quite a while ago that vaccine doesn't stop you getting delta variant and vaccinated people are doing way worse than not vaccinated whilst infected. It's your baby, your choice, but honestly I would boost my immune system if I was in your place coz there's nothing stronger and safer than nature. It doesn't have any side effects. Stay healthy ❤

[Jess1981 in reply to Andia1]

Read the official guidelines that college of midwives and obstetricians have given. 1 in 10 pregnant women end up in ICU. A health care assistant told me a non vaccinated pregnant women was in ICU very poorly and that health care assistant wasn't sure if the women had survived ( she was on leave that week) Obstetricians would not recommend the vaccination if there was any danger to the unborn child- they would simply recommend pregnant women to shield and to have the vaccination after the baby was here. There are no known effects of the vaccination to the unborn child whereas the risks of getting Covid in pregnancy are well documented- pre term labour and still birth and as previously mentioned 1-10 pregnant women will end up in UCU. It's a hard enough decision for any pregnant woman to make without people scaremongering and spreading misinformation. I have booked my second vaccination for next Saturday ( had my first vaccination 1 week before I conceived) I was scared of making this decision but have been guided by my obstetrician ( who was previously my miscarriage specialist) tho I'm scared I do trust my specialist to have both of interests at heart. I'm more scared of getting Covid in pregnancy and putting us both at more risk. People with good immune systems have got Covid. What concerns me is your misinformation could put someone off getting vaccinated and you are risking them. You are entitled to your own opinion but you should let others make a decision that is right for them this decision is hard enough and I can't see why you keep disrespecting the official medical advice. If you don't want to get vaccinated in pregnancy that's your choice but others have to make a decision that is right for them..

[Purpledoggy in reply to Andia1]

“Vaccinated people are doing way worse than not vaccinated whilst infected.” Can you please share the source and/or data?