The COVID Vaccine in Pregnancy:
What You Need to Know
By Lancaster MFM Staff on February 16, 2022
We’re not out of the woods yet: The risk of COVID infection is still very real. We want you and your baby to be safe, which is why we recommend you receive the COVID vaccine in pregnancy.
Vaccines protect you and your baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
When we encourage you to get vaccinated, we are doing it with your best interests in mind, but understand that you may still have questions. We know that your baby’s health is the most important thing in the world to you. We can help you with information and counseling to help you make the right decisions to protect your baby, yourself, and your family.
We’re here to help. Check out some answers to our patients’ most frequently asked questions:
Q: I’m not vaccinated and just found out I’m pregnant! I’m excited but also worried about getting sick with COVID.
A: Lancaster MFM strongly encourages the COVID vaccine in pregnancy. If you are pregnant or postpartum, you are at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared with people who are not pregnant. For example, you are more likely to get sick enough to require hospitalization, intensive care, a ventilator, or even suffer illness that results in death. If you get sick with COVID-19 during pregnancy you are at increased risk of preterm birth and stillbirth, and might be at increased risk of other pregnancy complications.
Q: Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for me if I am trying to get pregnant, currently pregnant, or breastfeeding?
A: Over 200,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated against COVID-19, and the incidence of side-effects is no different than for the rest of the population. The vaccine is safe. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and The Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) strongly recommend the vaccine for pre-pregnant, pregnant, and lactating individuals.
Q: Why should I take the COVID-19 vaccine?
A: The vaccine protects you and your growing baby from severe illness caused by COVID-19. Your body changes during pregnancy, and because of these changes, you are more vulnerable to infections, and more likely to suffer severe illness (or even death) from COVID than people who are not pregnant.
Q: Is the vaccine safe during pregnancy?
A: Yes. Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID vaccine during pregnancy has been growing. The benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
Q: I have come across information about COVID and pregnancy that I have questions about; what should I do?
A: There’s a lot of information out there and it can be scary–we get it. If you are not vaccinated and have questions or concerns, please know that Lancaster Maternal Fetal Medicine is a judgment-free zone: it’s your body and your pregnancy and we will always respect that. If you come across an article you’d like to discuss, print it out and bring it to your appointment or send us the link; we are always happy to talk to you about anything that you are concerned about.
Q: I’m healthy and my immune system is strong. Why should I bother getting vaccinated?
A: There is growing evidence that getting COVID when you’re pregnant, even if it’s a mild case, can affect your growing baby. This is because the placenta that nourishes your baby can be damaged by the virus. A recent study found that a condition caused by COVID infection, SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, causes widespread damage to the placenta, resulting in fetal and neonatal deaths. This is one of the reasons why we recommend the COVID vaccine in pregnancy.
Q: I had a miscarriage with my first pregnancy and am very worried that getting vaccinated will cause me to have another one.
A: Actually, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 will decrease your risk of miscarriage related to COVID, because studies have shown that getting sick with COVID increases your risk of early pregnancy loss.
Q: I have heard that you can get COVID from the vaccine, is this true?
A: No, you cannot get COVID from the vaccine.
Q: How might receiving the vaccine affect my baby?
A: Scientists know that your body will build antibodies against COVID when you are vaccinated. There have been studies that found antibodies in umbilical cord blood, which suggests that vaccination of the mother can protect the baby as well.
Q: My friend told me the vaccine can cause fertility issues. My partner and I are trying to conceive; will taking the vaccine affect us?
A: There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.
Q: My dad said the vaccine has a microchip in it, and that it can make my arm magnetic. Is this true?
A: It’s not true. These are both myths that are circulating in social media, and have no basis in fact.
Q: Who should NOT get the vaccine?
A: If you have had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine, you should speak with your provider about ways to protect yourself.
Q: What’s the bottom line?
A: If you are thinking about conceiving, pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding, you should be vaccinated; so should your family. If you are vaccinated and are eligible, you should get a booster shot. Don’t delay in taking these critical steps in protecting the health of you and your family.
Q: I’m still unsure and would like to speak or chat with someone about this. Who can I call?
A: First of all, don’t feel bad because you’re still unsure: it’s ok! Whether or not to receive the COVID vaccine in pregnancy is a big decision. You can call our office at 717-288-8118, or email info@lancastermfm.com and we can connect you with a personal healthcare provider who can help clarify and explain your options. We will meet you where you are and respect ALL of your concerns. There is also a free hotline at www.mothertobaby.org where you can chat or email with an expert.
Q: Where can I find a COVID-19 vaccine?
A: You can search vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829, call 800-232-0233, or simply call or email our office for help.
Read More. Here are some trustworthy sources that can help you learn about the COVID vaccine in pregnancy:
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
References:
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- ACOG and SMFM recommend COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant individuals. ACOG. https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2021/07/acog-smfm-recommend-covid-19-vaccination-for-pregnant-individuals.
- COVID-19 vaccines protect you and your baby while pregnant and breastfeeding. One Vax Two Lives. https://www.onevaxtwolives.com/. Published July 30, 2021.
- Covid-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html.
- Gray KJ, Bordt EA, Atyeo C, et al. Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine response in pregnant and lactating women: a cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Published online March 25, 2021. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2021.03.023
- Jakuszko K, Kościelska-Kasprzak K, Żabińska M, et al. Immune Response to Vaccination against COVID-19 in Breastfeeding Health Workers. Vaccines. 2021; 9(6):663. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9060663
- Schwartz et al. Placental Tissue Destruction and Insufficiency from COVID-19 Causes Stillbirth and Neonatal Death from Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury: A Study of 68 Cases with SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis from 12 Countries. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Feb 10, 2022. https://meridian.allenpress.com/aplm/article/doi/10.5858/arpa.2022-0029-SA/477699/Placental-Tissue-Destruction-and-Insufficiency
- Jaklevic, M: COVID and Pregnancy: Virus Causes ‘Extensive’ Damage to Placenta. WebMD: Feb 11, 2022 https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20220211/covid-causes-extensive-damage-to-placenta
