COVID-19 Pregnancy & Fertility
As the area’s leader in women’s health, Woman’s physicians are encouraging pregnant women to take additional precautions against COVID-19, and asking all women who are considering pregnancy to understand the facts about the vaccine and make an informed decision.
Pregnancy Recommendations
- Do not skip prenatal care appointments.
- Wear a mask in public.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Limit interactions with other people.
- During the last two weeks of your pregnancy, stay away from others.
- Inform your doctor prior to your visit if you have fever or cough.
Debunking COVID Myths
COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A
Pregnancy
Q: I am pregnant. Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? Vaccinations, especially with vaccines that do not contain live virus, are considered a safe and routine part of prenatal care. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) state that the COVID vaccine should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination based on priority groups. It’s also recommended that you speak with your OB provider about whether or not you should get vaccinated.
According to the CDC, pregnant people are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Additionally, pregnant people who contract COVID-19 might be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth, compared with pregnant women without COVID-19.
There is very little data on the safety of this vaccine in pregnancy, as pregnant people were not included in the trials of the vaccines. However, 18 individuals who received the vaccine in the vaccine trials did become pregnant after vaccination. So far, those pregnancies are ongoing and we hope to learn more about those individuals soon. The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration have safety monitoring systems in place to capture information about vaccination during pregnancy and will closely monitor reports. Learn more at CDC.
Q: I heard that some people had reactions after vaccination. Are these dangerous in pregnancy? The most common symptoms include fever, muscle aches, joint pains, fatigue and headache (particularly after the second dose) and resolve within a day or two and are not typically dangerous. Talk to your OB provider before getting the vaccine. Learn more at CDC.
Q: If I have received another vaccine during pregnancy do I have to wait to get the COVID-19 vaccine? The flu shot and the Tdap vaccines are routinely recommended during pregnancy. If you choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy or the postpartum period, the CDC recommends that you schedule it at least 14 days before or 14 days after any other vaccination. Talk with your OB provider about the best timing for the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more at CDC.
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Breastfeeding
Q: I am breastfeeding. Should I get the vaccine? At this time, there is no data regarding the health impact on breastfed infants of mothers who were vaccinated. However, any vaccine that makes it into the breast milk is likely to be quickly inactivated when the milk is digested. In addition, some of your COVID-19 immunity can pass to the baby through the breast milk after you receive the vaccine. Learn more at CDC.
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Fertility
Q: Will the vaccine affect my chance of getting pregnant in the future? At this time, there is no evidence that these vaccines affect future fertility. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) COVID-19 Task Force addresses a piece of misinformation by stating that the mRNA vaccines “are not thought to cause an increased risk of infertility, first or second trimester loss, stillbirth, or congenital anomalies.” They encourage patients undergoing fertility treatment to receive vaccination based on current eligibility criteria.
ASRM joins with the American College of OB/GYNs, the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, the Society for Gynecological Oncology and the AAGL in emphasizing access to the vaccine for pregnant and lactating women and the importance of decisions about the vaccine being made by patients and their physicians. Learn more.
Additionally, getting vaccinated before you get pregnant may prevent COVID-19 during pregnancy and avoid the need for vaccination during pregnancy. Learn more at CDC.
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