When you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant, you might have a long list of health questions. And right now, COVID-19 questions are at the top of the list.
What would happen to me or my baby if I got COVID-19? Is it safe to get the vaccine? How could getting sick with COVID-19 or getting the COVID-19 vaccine affect my fertility?
All these questions are important because pregnant people who get COVID-19 are at a higher risk of becoming severely ill. And severe illness can result in hospitalization and even death.
The CDC released new data about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, and it may help clear up some of your concerns about the vaccine. After considering this new data, the CDC recommends people who are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant or breastfeeding to get vaccinated. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine also recommend the vaccine.
Addressing the worries you might have
This new data can help address any concerns you might have regarding the COVID-19 vaccine as it related to:
- The safety of the vaccine during pregnancy: There are three safety monitoring systems for pregnant people who receive the COVID-19 vaccines. CDC did not find any safety concerns for pregnant people who got vaccinated late in their pregnancies.
- Miscarriage rate: The CDC analyzed data from more than 2,500 pregnant people in the v-safe pregnancy registry who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine before 20 weeks of pregnancy. The CDC did NOT find an increased risk of miscarriage related to COVID-19 vaccination. Miscarriage rates among people who were vaccinated (13 percent) were similar to the typical rates in the general population (11 to 16 percent).
- Fertility issues: There is NO evidence that any vaccines cause fertility problems in women or men. This also applies to COVID-19 vaccines.
Reaping the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination
This data also shows that getting the COVID-19 vaccine could protect not only you, but your baby.
- Prevent infection in yourself. Getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine while you’re pregnant reduces your risk of becoming infected. Scientists found that vaccination lowered the risk of infection from the virus.
- Support a healthy pregnancy. Pregnant people with COVID-19 have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth (delivering before 37 weeks) and preeclampsia.
- Provide protection for your baby. When pregnant people receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, they build antibodies against COVID-19. These antibodies have been found in umbilical cord blood and breastmilk. This means COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and breastfeeding might help protect babies against COVID-19.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about getting vaccinated.
You can also call MotherToBaby, a suggested resource by CDC, by calling 1-866-626-6847.
And if you are interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine, learn more about Bon Secours’ vaccination efforts.
