MADISON (WKOW) – When state health officials announced new groups eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Wisconsin from March 29, it opened the door for pregnant people, including me.
I was delighted to hear that I would have the opportunity to protect myself, my baby and my family from the virus. But I had a lot of questions. Is the vaccine safe during pregnancy? Is there a risk to my baby? I immediately called my doctor and spent the day researching.
What I found was the assurance that the vaccination is safe for me and my family, but the situation of each person is different and they should discuss their options with their doctor.
UnityPoint Health-Meriter shares an incredibly helpful handout with patients answering questions about the benefits and risks of the vaccine for pregnant people. It solved a lot of confusion for me.
The information describes that COVID patients who are pregnant are 5 times more likely to end up in the intensive care unit (ICU) or in a ventilator than COVID patients who are not pregnant. Premature birth may be more common in pregnant people with severe COVID. Pregnant people die more from COVID than non-pregnant people
GENDER who is the same age. The vaccines can provide protection against it. The mRNA COVID vaccines prevent approximately 95% of COVID infections.
It is also important to note that the mRNA COVID vaccines cannot give you COVID. They have no live virus and there is no evidence that it is harmful to the pregnant people.
As for the risks, the vaccines have not been tested in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and health officials do not know if the vaccines work so well in pregnant people. But the Association of Maternal-Fetal Medicine strongly recommends that pregnant individuals have access to COVID vaccines, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that the COVID vaccine not be withheld from pregnant individuals.
I also had a discussion with dr. William Hartman of UW Health on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnancies and breastfeeding during our COVID-19 vaccine.
Although there are no clear recommendations, each person should weigh their own risks and benefits with their doctor and family.
For me, there is a lot to consider. Not only am I trying to protect my baby and myself, but my 2-year-old son has a congenital heart defect that could put him at greater risk for COVID. With everything I have learned, I am grateful for the opportunity to have this extra protection for all of us through the vaccine, and I will plan my appointment.