You’re drinking lots of water and eating plenty of well-washed fresh fruits and vegetables. You’re getting regular exercise, cutting back on coffee and soft drinks and avoiding second hand smoke. You’re taking naps when needed. In short, you’re doing everything you can to give your baby the best start possible.
Now, especially when you’re pregnant, get the COVID-19 vaccine to really protect both Baby and you!
Dr. Garritano and Christina are happy to recommend, along with the CDC and the FDA, that all pregnant persons become fully vaccinated as soon as possible.
COVID-19 infection is especially serious and life-threatening during pregnancy. Pregnant women who have been infected with COVID-19 are more likely to be admitted to intensive care and placed on a ventilator than non-pregnant women. If you have other health conditions outside of being pregnant, statistics show you are at an even higher risk of complications from COVID-19.
While research is still ongoing, it is showing tremendous benefits to getting the vaccine. Over 35,000 pregnant people ages 16 to 54 have received the vaccine and there has been no increase in the baseline of miscarriage rates. There is no evidence that the vaccine increases the risk of miscarriage or other pregnancy complications.
The mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are safe for both you and your developing baby. In fact, some studies have shown that the usual side effects of headache, muscle pain, chills and fever are lower in pregnant women than in other people. The most frequent complaint was pain in the arm at the site of the injection and nausea and vomiting after the second shot.
To date, more than 800 infants have been born after having mothers that were vaccinated while the infants were in utero and there is no change in the rate of congenital anomalies – meaning that the COVID-19 vaccine has no negative effect on your developing baby. There have also been no neonatal deaths, deaths of an infant within 28 days of birth, in a vaccinated mother.
Wherever you are in your pregnancy, from first trimester to just-about-to-deliver, it’s safe to get the COVID-19 vaccination. If you’re in your second trimester, the time is especially perfect, because research is showing that COVID-19 immunity may transfer to your baby through the placenta.
There are also indications that some immunity may transfer to your baby through breast milk; Pfizer has recently enrolled 4,000 women to study the strength and length of time of this immunity may last in children who are too young to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“When you’re pregnant, get the vaccine,” says Christina. “Make an appointment at your local pharmacy or a vaccination site in your neighborhood. Protect yourself from serious COVID-19 complications and protect your baby.”
Do you have questions about your pregnancy or COVID-19? Please call our office at 203-409-2539. Christina and Dr. Garritano will be happy to give you thorough, evidence-based answers!