You’re going to have more questions than usual about what’s safe and healthy during the 40 weeks you’re pregnant. You’ll feel the weight of considering different options in many areas of your life—what to eat and drink, the best way to exercise, whether to travel and fly on an airplane—and which decisions are good for you and your baby.
One critical choice that continues to make headlines is the decision to get—or not to get—the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant.
Why the COVID-19 Vaccine Still Matters During Pregnancy
Public conversation around COVID-19 may have quieted, but the virus hasn’t gone away. You’re at higher risk for serious complications while pregnant if you become infected. You could potentially experience
- Preeclampsia
- Blood clots
- Higher chance of cesarean birth
- Intensive care unit (ICU) admission
- Being placed on a ventilator
- Increased risk of death
If you have a chronic health condition, like heart disease, high blood pressure, or obesity, or have struggled with living in a safe home consistently before pregnancy, these factors increase your risk of becoming more severely ill if you get COVID-19.
The Hidden Risk to Babies
Now, your decisions include whether or not to protect your unborn baby from COVID-19.
Contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risk that your baby may have low birth weight, be born before 37 weeks, or experience respiratory distress. In severe cases, your baby may be stillborn. Researchers found that most babies under 6 months old who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 were born to mothers who weren’t vaccinated during pregnancy.
COVID-19 Vaccination Protects You and Baby
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for most adults 18 and older, and this includes pregnant people. It’s also important to keep up with the vaccine while you’re breastfeeding your baby or if you plan to become pregnant again. Encourage your partner to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccine, too.
When you get vaccinated during pregnancy, you pass antibodies to your baby that help protect them after they’re born when they’re still too young to get vaccinated themselves. This protection can be lifesaving. Once your baby is 6 months old, talk to their pediatric care provider about having them directly vaccinated against COVID-19.
Common Concerns
It’s completely natural to have questions or concerns, especially during pregnancy. Let’s address a few:
Will the COVID-19 vaccine harm my baby?
- Clinical studies involving pregnant people have shown no increased risk of miscarriage or birth defects from COVID-19 vaccination. There’s no live virus in either vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer), and they won’t make you or your baby sick.
- Before your appointment, you can read a fact sheet with details about the COVID-19 vaccine to help you understand more information.
Will I experience side effects?
- Most side effects are mild and short-lived. They may include feeling tired, having a sore arm, or getting a fever. Serious side effects are extremely rare.
- Talk to your pregnancy care provider about taking any over-the-counter pain relief after your vaccine. Let them know if any side effects become worse or don’t go away.
- Take it easy, rest, and drink plenty of fluids after getting vaccinated.
What if I’ve already had COVID-19?
Even if you’ve had COVID-19 before, the vaccine strengthens your immunity and reduces your risk of reinfection or complications.
Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine
Recent policy changes have limited COVID-19 vaccine insurance coverage during pregnancy. Experts across the country, including nurses and health care providers, are urging insurers to continue covering the COVID-19 vaccine and counseling at no cost to pregnant people. You deserve to have access to the COVID-19 vaccine while you’re pregnant and shouldn’t have to worry about the cost or availability because vaccination could save your life and protect your baby.
What You Can Do
If you’re pregnant or planning to be, talk to your nurse or health care provider about getting vaccinated or visit your local health department. Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, vaccination can boost your protection. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
You can also contact MotherToBaby. Experts are available to answer questions in English or Spanish. This service is free and confidential.
- Call: 1-866-626-6847
- Text: 1-855-999-3525
In a time when health information can be confusing, one thing is clear. COVID-19 vaccination is a proven way to protect two lives: yours and your baby’s.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Do You Live in a Maternity Care Desert?
