COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy: Risks, Benefits, and Research

Pregnancy Podcast

Vanessa Merten

Newborn, Parent, Homebirth, Vbac, Kids & Family, Doula, Firsttimemom, Midwife, Pregnancy, Doctor, Parenting, Pregnant, Vanessamerten, Physician, Csection, Prenatalcare, Breastfeeding, Naturalbirth, Nursing, Birthcenter, Family, Baby, Hospitalbirth, Health, Obgyn, Research, Trimester, Expecting, Labor, Mom, Diet, Dad, Birth

4.5 • 948 Ratings

🗓️ 27 October 2024

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic was the most significant global health crisis since the 1918 Spanish Flu. Fortunately, the severity and lethality of COVID-19 have greatly diminished. The overall risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 is now low, including for pregnant women. However, there is evidence that contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, cesarean delivery, preeclampsia or eclampsia, and blood clots. To reduce these risks and provide passive immunity to the baby, healthcare professionals recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women. Deciding whether to get vaccinated during pregnancy can be challenging, as it requires weighing the potential risks and benefits.

This can be even more challenging with new vaccines that use innovative technology, where there is limited data and no long-term research yet available. Additionally, if you opt in to the COVID-19 vaccine you have choices regarding the type of vaccine and when to receive it. Learn about the available evidence on the safety, risks, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy so you can make an informed and confident decision.

Thank you to our sponsors

Zahler goes above and beyond to use high-quality bioavailable ingredients like the active form of folate, bioavailable iron, and omega 3s. The Zahler Prenatal +DHA is my #1 recommendation for a high-quality prenatal vitamin. In October 2024, you can save 40% off the Zahler Prenatal +DHA on Amazon with the code PREPOD40. You can always see the current promo code for the Zahler prenatal vitamin by clicking here.

For a limited time only, you can get the 8 Sheep Pregnancy Survival Kit at $30 off, with free shipping within the US! Plus, save an additional 10% with the promo code PREGNANCYPODCAST. The Pregnancy Survival Kit includes a set of four handcrafted products that help with common pregnancy pains like pregnancy insomnia, restless legs, lower back and hip pains, leg cramps, swollen and achy legs and feet, and stretch marks. The amazing products from 8 Sheep are made with safe ingredients for you and your baby during pregnancy. Every product from 8 Sheep Organics comes with a 100-Day Happiness Guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. That’s a $48 value for FREE! Just one daily scoop provides whole-body benefits like gut, immune, and stress support. AG1 sources bioavailable ingredients that actually work with your body. Plus, their formula has all non-GMO ingredients and contains no added sugar. With AG1, I know I am filling any nutrient gaps and supporting my gut for healthy digestion.

(As a friendly reminder, pregnant or nursing women should seek professional medical advice before taking this or any other dietary supplement.)

Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode.

Join Pregnancy Podcast Premium to access the entire back catalog, listen to all episodes ad-free, get a copy of the Your Birth Plan Book, and more.

Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners.

For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	You are listening to the pregnancy podcast with Vanessa Merton.
0:10.0	Hello, thank you for tuning into the pregnancy podcast. In today's episode, we're talking about the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy.
0:20.0	The COVID-19 pandemic was the most significant global health crisis since the
0:26.5	1918 Spanish flu. Fortunately, the severity and the lethality of COVID-19 have greatly diminished.
0:35.2	The overall risk of severe illness or death from COVID is now low, including for pregnant women.
0:41.9	However, there is evidence that getting COVID-19
0:45.1	during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse outcomes like pre-term birth,
0:50.9	Cessarian delivery, pre-Eclamsia or eclamsia, and blood clots.
0:56.7	To reduce these risks and to provide passive immunity to your baby, health care professionals recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for all
1:05.6	pregnant women. Deciding whether to get vaccinated during pregnancy can be
1:10.8	challenging because it involves weighing a lot of potential risks and
1:15.1	benefits. This can be even more challenging for a new vaccine that uses
1:20.0	innovative technology where there is limited data, and no long-term research available.
1:26.0	Plus, if you do decide to opt into the COVID-19 vaccine, you have some choices regarding the type of vaccine that you get and when to get it.
1:36.2	So in this episode we're going to talk about all of the available evidence on the safety, risks,
1:41.6	and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy.
1:46.2	You can find the complete article and all of the links and resources at pregnancy
1:52.2	podcast.com
1:54.8	COVID vaccine. You are currently listening to the public feed of the
1:59.7	podcast that gives you access to the last year of episodes.
2:04.0	Become a pregnancy podcast premium member and get access to the entire back catalog
2:10.0	that includes hundreds of episodes exclusive to premium members
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Vanessa Merten, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Vanessa Merten and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.