This post was written by Geoffrey Gordon, MD, PPG – Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
Recently, after months of monitoring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, have all confirmed the of the COVID-19 vaccine for expecting mothers. We have enough data to confidently tell mothers that they should not worry about getting the vaccine.
COVID risk
All mutations and variants of the coronavirus pose a significant risk to pregnant mothers. They have a high risk of getting sick and a higher risk than non-pregnant women of being admitted into the ICU and requiring intubation. With this third wave of the virus, we’re seeing moms who haven’t been vaccinated coming in, getting admitted and we’re concerned about their respiratory status. And when mom can’t breathe, that raises concerns about baby getting oxygen. This respiratory distress is far more alarming than any side effects we’re seeing from the vaccine.
Protection
This strain we’re seeing now is very worrisome. While the COVID vaccine wasn’t designed to fight the Delta variant specifically, it does offer protection against all current forms of coronavirus.
Addressing misinformation
When a patient comes to me and says they’re not sure about the vaccine, I start by asking what makes them hesitant. What is the information they’re hearing that concerns them? I find that if we can peel away the layers and find out the source of the misinformation or concern, we can talk through it. Listening and having open dialogue between patient and provider is so important for getting to the root of any issues. Once we know what’s holding you back, we can provide trusted information and be a source of truth.
At the end of the day, everyone has the autonomy to decide whether they take the vaccine.
I can say that from moment the vaccine was developed, we didn’t have any theoretical biologic plausibility, meaning we couldn’t fathom why the vaccine would potentially. Harm an expecting mother or her baby. There’s actually data from Northwestern in Chicago demonstrating that when we look at the placenta or moms who had COVID, those placentas are damaged. But moms who had the vaccine and did not get COVID don’t’ have that type of damage. This affirms that the vaccine does not work like the virus.
There is no data to suggest that the vaccine would cause infertility or miscarriage. Other than feeling ill, typically following the second dose of the vaccine, there shouldn’t be any side effects.
Nature’s going to do what it’s going to do, and these mutations and variants could continue for some time. You have to protect yourself and your family.
