When your doctor pronounces that you’re infertile, you may worry that you’ll never have the family you’ve dreamed of for so many years. However, infertility is a condition that has many remedies, depending on its causes.
As COVID-19 vaccines become more and more available in California, so to come questions regarding the vaccine and its safety profile in pregnant women and in those hoping to conceive soon. Here is a brief summary of the pertinent information regarding the vaccines as it may apply to our patients.
The only FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine as of December 16, 2020, is an mRNA vaccine:
This type of vaccine is distinct from other forms of that are considered to be contraindicated in pregnancy, known as "live" vaccines (i.e. Rubella or varicella/Chicken Pox vaccines). Live vaccines have the theoretical potential of transmitting the virus to the fetus, and thus are not recommended to be administered in pregnancy, however the COVID-19 vaccine does not have the same theoretical risk.
No data supports increase risks of miscarriage or stillbirth with COVID-19 infection, however there are some risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy which include greater chances of severe COVID-19 symptoms, including hospitalizations and admission to intensitve care, as well as a higher risk of complications in pregnancy, including preterm deliveries, when comparied to pregnant women without COVID-19.
Recommendations regarding pregnancy and the COVID vaccine that are supported by The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (sMFM) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) are:
The decision whether to receive the vaccine is highly dependent on each individual's risk/benefit profile. For further discussion and questions, schedule time to have a detailed discussion with your provider to help clarify any questions you may have.
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When your doctor pronounces that you’re infertile, you may worry that you’ll never have the family you’ve dreamed of for so many years. However, infertility is a condition that has many remedies, depending on its causes.
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It's important to recognize that undergoing fertility treatment—be it family building or preservation—has an added layer of complexity to it in the era of COVID-19. A lot of patients ask if it even makes sense to pursue treatment in the midst of a pandemic