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Join the clubIs it safe to have the COVID vaccine in pregnancy?
Here at Emma's Diary we know how confusing the world of COVID can be, especially if you're currently pregnant. Is it safe to have the COVID vaccination? Can the Coronavirus immunisation affect your unborn baby?
Please note that if you're unsure about the vaccine, do speak to your midwife or doctor who will be able to give you advice and support to help you make your decision.
Is it safe to have the coronavirus vaccine in pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe for you and your baby. Over 250,000 women have had the vaccine in the UK and USA with no problems reported to any of the women or their babies.
Why should I have the COVID vaccine whilst I’m pregnant? What are the benefits of having it?
If you are pregnant, catching COVID-19 could make you extremely ill and could be life-threatening, particularly if you have underlying health conditions. It could also be dangerous for your baby. Being vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself against this dangerous virus. It could stop you from becoming seriously ill if you catch it and could even save your life. Increasing numbers of pregnant women are being admitted to hospitals and intensive care units suffering with coronavirus, and most are unvaccinated, highlighting how important it is to get the jab.
Will the Coronavirus vaccine affect my unborn baby? Is there any evidence?
All evidence is strongly suggesting it is safe for your baby. There are no studies yet on the long-term effects on babies born to women who had a COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy.
However, as COVID-19 vaccines are not ‘live’ vaccines they cannot cause infection, and other non-live vaccines have been given to women in pregnancy for many years without any safety concerns. Hundreds of thousands of pregnant women have now had the vaccine with no concerns reported. All the evidence shows that the vaccine is safe for you and your baby.
Which Coronavirus vaccine is safest to have in pregnancy?
In the UK, if you are pregnant you will be offered either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Both are safe for you and your baby.
How close to my due date can I have the COVID vaccine?
You can have the vaccination at any point in your pregnancy, the earlier the better so that you have the protection that vaccine gives you as soon as possible.
However, anytime is fine. A vaccine given immediately starts your journey to developing immunity. Second doses are given 8 weeks after the first dose and it is recommended that you receive two doses before giving birth, or before you enter the third trimester, when the risk of serious illness with COVID-19 is greatest.
Do not worry though if you have only had one jab before giving birth, you will still be getting a good level of protection form the virus.
Will the COVID vaccine cause a miscarriage or stillbirth?
The COVID vaccine is being given to large numbers of pregnant women across the world, with no evidence that it causes miscarriage or stillbirth. A number of studies worldwide have shown that rates of miscarriage were the same in women who had received a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy as those that had not.
What are the side effects of the vaccine in pregnancy?
There are some common side effects which you might experience after having the vaccine including:
Tenderness in the injected arm
Headache
Nausea
Flu-like symptoms
However, these are normally mild and short lasting for most people including pregnant women.
- Tenderness in the injected arm
- Headache
- Nausea
- Flu-like symptoms
However, these are normally mild and short lasting for most people including pregnant women.
Are pregnant women being given booster vaccines?
Yes, and the Royal College of Midwives, along with the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists is encouraging you to have the booster vaccine when it is offered to keep up your level of protection against the virus to keep you and your baby safe.
Will the COVID vaccine impact my labour?
No, there is no evidence that having the COVID vaccine during pregnancy has any effect on your labour and birth.
What should I do if I develop a reaction to the COVID vaccine during pregnancy?
You may experience some of the common side effects such as a headache or nausea. There are more uncommon side effects such as swollen glands in the armpit or neck on the same side as the arm where you had the vaccine. This can last for around 10 days. If it lasts longer do speak to your GP.
Some other symptoms can occur from around 4 days to 4 weeks after your jab. These include a new severe headache not helped by your usual painkillers, or shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or abdominal pain. If you have any of these, do seek medical advice urgently, but we must stress that these are very rare side effects.
Are there any long-term effects of having the vaccine in pregnancy?
None have been identified; the evidence is strong and growing that having the vaccination against Covid is safe for you and your baby, and can help to prevent you becoming more seriously ill if you catch the virus.
What if I find out I am pregnant after I have had the COVID-19 vaccine?
There is no need to worry, in fact, having had the vaccination will help to protect you and your baby from the COVID-19 virus. If you have had just one jab before you became pregnant, we also advise that you also have the second when it is offered to ensure you get the maximum protection against the virus.
Is it safe to have my Coronavirus vaccine whilst breastfeeding?
It is safe to have the vaccine when you are breastfeeding. There is no way by which any vaccine ingredient could pass to your baby through breast milk. You can have the vaccine and continue breastfeeding safely. However, antibodies your immune system develops after having the vaccine can be passed to your baby through breastmilk, which will also give your baby some protection against the virus.
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