Skip to main content

AH! I’m Pregnant – Should I Get the COVID Vaccine?!

AH! I’M PREGNANT- SHOULD I GET THE COVID VACCINE?!

🚨 Pregnancy itself is a risk factor for COVID-19 infection 🚨

Diabetes, obesity, hypertension and asthma put you at an even higher risk of severe illness

Pregnant women with symptomatic COVID-19 infection are at a HIGHER RISK of:

  • Needing ICU care
  • Mechanical ventilation
  • Ventilatory support
  • Death

Thinking about conceiving? Pregnant now? Breastfeeding? THAT’S ALL OKAY- LET’S TALK VACCINES! 💉

· Following development of the COVID-19 vaccines, clinical trials were started, looking at how safe it was for pregnant and breastfeeding women to receive the vaccine.

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine all support and recommend receiving the vaccine

  • As more research becomes available, our knowledge and understanding of COVID-19 and its effects on pregnancy expand. Lucky for you – we will keep you updated!

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (we’re talking about you — Pfizer and Moderna!) 🧬

  • mRNA (messenger RNA) is simply a blueprint for making proteins! Your body will break down the mRNA soon after its finished getting the instructions
  • There is NO LIVE VIRUS in the mRNA vaccine!
  • It CANNOT get into your nucleus (where your DNA hangs out)
  • It CANNOT alter your own genetics! (Our bodies are amazing and actually have checkpoints to PREVENT anything from altering your genes)
  • These vaccines generate a ROBUST immune response in both pregnant and breastfeeding women against COVID-19 – This means the vaccines appear to be VERY EFFECTIVE
  • Studies show that following vaccination your body will pass PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY from you TO THE NEWBORN through the placenta and breastmilk! (Talk about magic!) If there’s one thing parents will do anything for, it’s to protect their children! Thank you, science, for giving us this chance!
  • Since mRNA vaccines DO NOT contain any of the live virus, there is NO REASON to delay pregnancy attempts after receiving the vaccine

Oh SHOOT! I Had COVID-19 AND I’M PREGNANT! Now WHAT?!

🚨Let our office know if you have tested positive for COVID-19🚨

We like to keep close tabs on you and the pregnancy – this means a little bit more work for us but we are trying to keep you and your baby safe!

YOU CAN STILL RECEIVE THE VACCINE!! (Say what?! I can?)

Recommendations currently are to wait 90 days after infection before you vaccinate💉

Feeling anxious, overwhelmed or fatigued given the current coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe is understandable. The BEST thing is that there are now THINGS WE CAN DO to get back some control and freedom we once had! Vaccinating is a personal decision – however, reach out to one of your friendly OB/GYNs if you have more questions. Together we can discuss risks and benefits of vaccination and decide the BEST OPTION FOR YOU!

Regardless of your personal decision to receive the vaccine, please remember to continue the other preventative measures such as:

  • Wearing a mask
  • Staying at least 6 FEET away from others
  • Avoiding crowds
  • Washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
  • Follow CDC travel guidance
  • Follow quarantine guidance after potential exposure to COVID-19.

(PS! Don’t forget to let us know if you have been exposed!)