I’m Expecting and Vaccinated — Here’s How I Made My Choice

As a journalist covering the U.S. government’s pandemic response, I hoped for clearer guidance from my doctor regarding the COVID-19 vaccine during my pregnancy. Unfortunately, his answer was simply, “It’s a personal choice.” While I understood his perspective, I was seeking more concrete advice.

For many Americans considering the vaccine, the medical consensus is straightforward: “Yes!” There is robust scientific evidence confirming the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. However, the situation becomes much murkier for pregnant individuals.

Early clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccines excluded pregnant and breastfeeding women, a cautionary practice rooted in past medical history, such as the thalidomide tragedy. This exclusion has led to confusion, especially since recommendations have varied, with the World Health Organization initially advising against vaccination for pregnant individuals, though they later aligned more closely with the CDC.

Faced with this uncertainty, I needed to establish a decision-making process. Flipping a coin felt inadequate when my health and my unborn child’s safety were at stake. Instead, I decided to weigh the risks and benefits, a common approach in medical decision-making.

Dr. Lisa Thompson, an expert in Obstetrics and Gynecology, emphasized the thorough evaluation of vaccine safety by regulatory bodies. After extensive trials involving thousands of participants, independent experts assessed the data, leading professional organizations like the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology to support vaccine availability for pregnant women. “This is not a hasty decision; the data is scrutinized thoroughly and continues to be reviewed,” she noted.

I also looked into the vaccine’s risks. While we lack specific clinical trial data for pregnant women, evidence shows that the vaccines did not harm pregnant lab animals. Increasingly, real-world data supports the safety of vaccination during pregnancy, with nearly 78,000 vaccinated pregnant individuals in the U.S. reporting no adverse effects. “That’s compelling evidence of safety,” stated Dr. Mark Allen, a maternal health specialist. The CDC’s findings revealed that vaccinated pregnant women experienced typical side effects and had no higher risk of birth complications than their unvaccinated counterparts.

Moreover, there is no biological basis to suggest that the mRNA vaccines (like Pfizer and Moderna) or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could harm a pregnancy. Historically, other vaccines have been safely administered to pregnant women, and unlike live-virus vaccines that are not recommended for this group, the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain live virus.

Given the accumulating positive signs, the cautious guidance from health organizations now seems overly careful. Upcoming studies on vaccinated pregnant women may soon provide clearer recommendations. “We’re likely to have more data soon that will enable us to recommend the vaccine just as we do for the flu and TDAP vaccines during pregnancy,” Dr. Thompson remarked.

I also considered the risks of not getting vaccinated. Studies indicate that COVID-19 poses a higher risk of severe illness for pregnant individuals, which could lead to hospitalization or premature birth. With highly contagious variants spreading, the decision to remain unvaccinated becomes riskier. “You don’t want to wait until the last possible moment to protect yourself,” Dr. Thompson advised.

In weighing the advantages of vaccination against the unknown risks, I found that the potential benefits significantly outweighed the uncertainties. The protection from severe illness, the possibility of passing antibodies to my child, and contributing to community immunity were compelling reasons to get vaccinated. I wanted to participate in society again without the constant fear of transmitting the virus.

I recognized that isolating completely until the pandemic’s end wasn’t feasible for my family and would negatively impact my mental health. I had events like my sister’s graduation and my cousin’s wedding that I wanted to attend.

Ultimately, I chose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The clear benefits of vaccination outweighed any speculative risks. I received my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday and enrolled in the CDC’s v-safe post-vaccination tracker to help gather data on how the vaccine affects pregnancy and childbirth.

I hope that this tracker, along with forthcoming studies, will provide doctors with the information necessary to offer better guidance to pregnant patients.

For more insights on this topic, check out this blog post, and for authoritative information, visit Make a Mom.

Search Queries:

In conclusion, navigating the decision to vaccinate during pregnancy requires careful consideration of risks and benefits, alongside consultation with trusted medical sources. The evolving landscape of research offers hope for clearer guidance in the future.

Keyphrase: COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]