Courtesy of Women’s Medical Center

COVID-19 is a relatively new illness (detected in the US in 2020) that affects the lungs and breathing. Symptoms include fever, cough, and trouble breathing. It also may cause stomach problems, such as nausea and diarrhea, and a loss of your sense of smell or taste. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after you are exposed to the virus. Some people with COVID-19 may have no symptoms or only mild symptoms.

How might Covid-19 affect pregnant women?

Current reports suggest that pregnant and recently pregnant women have a higher risk for more severe illness from COVID-19 than nonpregnant women. Pregnant and recently pregnant women with some health conditions, such as obesity and gestational diabetes, may have an even higher risk of severe illness.

How might Covid-19 affect my fetus?

Researchers are learning more about COVID-19 all the time. Researchers have found a few cases of COVID-19 that may have passed to a fetus during pregnancy, but this seems to be rare. After birth, a newborn can get the virus if they are exposed to it.

Should I get a Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy?

Yes, you should get a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all pregnant women be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Getting a vaccine could help both you and your fetus. Remember that pregnant women have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 than non-pregnant women. The vaccines are very effective at preventing COVID-19 infection, severe illness, and death. Data do not show any safety concerns with getting the vaccine.

Should I get a Covid-19 vaccine if I’m breastfeeding?

Yes, ACOG recommends that breastfeeding women get a COVID-19 vaccine. There is no need to stop breastfeeding if you want to get a vaccine. When you get vaccinated, the antibodies made by your body may be passed through breastmilk and may help protect your child from the virus.

Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine if I’m trying to get pregnant?

Yes, if you are planning or trying to get pregnant, you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility. You also do not need to delay getting pregnant after you get a vaccine.

If I get the Covid-19 vaccine, what can I expect?

Side effects also vary from person to person. You may feel some pain at the injection site, muscular pain, joint pain, headaches and fatigue. You may feel like you have the flu for a few days. This is normal.

If you have a fever or other side effects after getting the vaccine, you can take acetaminophen, an over-the-counter medication that is safe during pregnancy. If you are worried about your side effects or they last more than a few days, talk with your provider at Women’s Medical Center.

Can the Covid-19 vaccine change my DNA?

NO.

The vaccines that have been approved so far work in different ways, and all of them are proven to be safe. It is important to know that:

• The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19. None of the vaccines use the live virus that causes COVID-19. 
• The vaccines do not affect your genes or DNA. 
• There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility.

You can find out more at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Click here.

If you have additional concerns about Covid-19 and the vaccine, talk with your provider at your next scheduled appointment.