So a lot of patients are very concerned about
whether or not it's safe for them to receive
the COVID-19 vaccine.
We do know that the COVID vaccine is not a live virus
and because of that it has not shown
to increase the risk of miscarriage
on the second or third trimester,
and also has not been shown to increase risk
of infertility in patients.
According to the data gathered by the CDC
on side effects for the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines
that there are no significant negative side effects
to pregnant women.
And obviously the studies are ongoing
and this is preliminary data,
but it's really encouraging and it gives us
much more guidance going forward
with how to get this out more,
and this news out more to the pregnant population.
While I work here at Rush,
I worked with patients on the COVID floor
and saw daily what COVID does to people
and just how severe this diseases is.
My husband and I did a lot of research on this
and we're convinced very easily and also talk to our doctors
that this was a positive choice,
that getting the vaccine it was something
that was going to positively impact us
and allow us going forward the protection
that we needed against severe symptoms.
It's very important for pregnant women
to consider the vaccine because it all takes place
in the setting of a global pandemic.
Pregnant women who get COVID don't do as well
as their non-pregnant colleagues.
So those are the patients we really don't want to leave out
in the opportunity to become vaccinated.
So what we do know is that
pregnant women who do get infected with COVID-19
tend to have poor outcomes.
So they tend to have more exasperated symptoms,
they tend to have possibly more ICU admissions
or just hospital admissions in general.
So I think if you are pregnant or considering pregnancy
it would be a good idea for you to receive the vaccine
to help prevent a more severe illness from COVID-19.
It was a quick shot,
I had very minimal side effects with the first one
and everybody kind of guaranteed
that the second one would be the harder one to get through
and that, that has been the case.
I was really tired and kind of felt a little icky
for a day or so, but other than that,
it was a very positive experience.
It was pretty normal like getting a flu vaccine.
Our best guidelines at this point
with regard to the vaccine
is that pregnant and lactating women
should be given the opportunity to obtain the vaccine
but should be obtained
in a discussion with their healthcare providers.
Do you live in a household where you're taking care
of elderly mom or grandmother
that have asthma or diabetes?
Do you live in a community
where the rates are disproportionately affecting,
like African-Americans and Latinos,
is that a concern for you?
Do you travel to work or are you still having to
present in person work or do you work from home?
So all of these things are considerations
that may help you decide and kind of weigh out
those risks and benefits.
And regardless of your decision as your providers
we're here to support you.
It was the right decision for me,
because not only does it prevent a severe infection
in pregnant women where, again, we know that
it's worse, the disease's worse, and again,
the death rate is higher.
But now also we know that the research is telling us
that it will confer antibodies to the fetus, to the baby.
So it protects these babies as well
which is really wonderful news,
and also very encouraging
COVID is very real,
we have an opportunity to have a vaccine
and get in front of it.
The side effects of the vaccine
the longterm impact of the vaccine
while not 100% established has not been shown
to have any long-term side effects.
What we do know for a fact
that COVID has been established
to have long-term side effects.
- Do you have any questions regarding the vaccine?
It's always best to seek the advice of your OBGYN provider.
- My husband and I are just overjoyed.
We originally saw a fertility specialist
for those little ones.
So it was to me personally and even more important pregnancy
a more high risk pregnancy
and also one that I needed to protect more.
That was my motivation for doing this.
I had no negative side effects aside from what was normal
and what was promised when the research came out
and everything's great.
Yeah, I feel really wonderful.
(upbeat music)