Pregnancy and the COVID Vaccine: What You Need to Know About Miscarriage Risk
As vaccines against COVID-19 become more widely available, pregnant women are faced with a difficult decision. Should they get vaccinated or not? Many are concerned about the potential risks to their unborn child, including miscarriage. Here’s what you need to know about pregnancy and the COVID vaccine.
What Do We Know About Miscarriage Risk?
There is limited data on miscarriage risk after receiving the COVID vaccine because pregnant women were excluded from clinical trials. However, early studies have not shown an increased risk of miscarriage in those who received the vaccine compared to those who did not.
One study conducted by researchers at Kaiser Permanente found that there was no increased risk of miscarriage among 1,524 pregnant individuals who received either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines compared to historical rates of miscarriages before the pandemic.
Another study published in The New England Journal of Medicine looked at over 35,000 pregnancies in Israel during December 2020 – February 2021 when vaccination campaigns began. The study found no increase in spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) among vaccinated individuals compared with unvaccinated individuals.
While these early studies are promising, it’s important to note that more research is needed before we can draw any definitive conclusions about miscarriage risk after receiving the COVID vaccine during pregnancy.
Should Pregnant Women Get Vaccinated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women receive a COVID-19 vaccine if they choose to do so. This recommendation is based on several factors:
– Pregnant people are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
– There is evidence showing that mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) are safe and effective for non-pregnant individuals.
– Studies have shown no safety concerns specific to pregnancy for mRNA vaccines.
It’s important to note that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has not been studied in pregnant individuals, and the CDC recommends discussing the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine.
What Should Pregnant Women Consider Before Getting Vaccinated?
Before getting vaccinated, pregnant women should discuss their individual risk factors with their healthcare provider. Factors to consider include:
– The stage of pregnancy
– Underlying medical conditions
– Previous adverse reactions to vaccines
Pregnant women should also be aware of common side effects after vaccination, which can include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and pain at the injection site.
Future Advances on This Topic
Research is ongoing to better understand how COVID vaccines impact pregnancy outcomes. Several studies are currently underway examining miscarriage rates among vaccinated pregnant individuals compared to unvaccinated individuals.
In addition, researchers are studying whether antibodies produced by vaccinated mothers can pass through breast milk or placenta to protect newborns from COVID-19 infection. Early data suggests that these antibodies may provide some protection for infants born to vaccinated mothers.
As more data becomes available about pregnancy and the COVID vaccine, healthcare providers will have a better understanding of how best to advise pregnant patients who are considering vaccination.
Conclusion
While there is limited data on miscarriage risk after receiving the COVID vaccine during pregnancy, early studies suggest no increased risk compared with historical rates. Pregnant women should discuss their individual risks and benefits with their healthcare provider before making a decision about vaccination. As research continues in this area we will learn more about how best to protect both mother and child from COVID-19 infection during pregnancy.
*Note: this site does not provide medical opinions or diagnosis and should not be relied upon instead of receiving medical attention from a licensed medical professional.
