Pregnant and unsure about the #COVID19 vaccine? You’re not alone. Got vaccinated today at 31 weeks and feel very fortunate. But it’s complicated. Here’s why I decided to go for it. 1/

Context: I'm a high-risk pregnancy specialist & scientist so I've thought a lot about the vaccine and have discussed pros/cons at length w colleagues. Decision making in pregnancy is a complex process in general and highly personal. COVID vaccination is no exception. 2/

Questions from well meaning people, lack of data, conflicting guidelines (US vs UK), judgy looks, all contribute to hesitancy and anxiety. 3/

My reasons:
*I am routinely exposed to #COVID19 at work. Anxiety about getting infected has sig during pregnancy. The thought of bringing COVID home to my family, transmitting to pts or coworkers is exhausting. For me, vaccine = relief. Plus passive immunity for baby. 4/

*Data are impressive and the science is solid. Tough to find any other medical intervention that works THIS well. 5/
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577

*Why not wait for more data? Seriously considered this. But the data will simply not be here soon enough.

Asked myself, if I don't get the vaccine now and then get COVID, will I regret my decision to pass on a highly effective vaccine? YES.

6/

Ultimately, I know the risks of COVID in preg and have seen too many pregnant pts with severe dz. It's important to acknowledge the unknowns and respect ppl w questions & those who choose to wait based on their personal situation, anxieties, etc. 7/ https://twitter.com/caraheuser/status/1337597086750056448?s=20

Finally, if we want data on the vaccine in pregnancy, pregnant ppl have to be willing to be vaccinated. Happy to contribute to science!!

Thank you @MySMFM @acog @ReprodMed @BFMedicine for advocating for us! 8/ https://twitter.com/ChrisHanMFM/status/1337447639277715457?s=20

Grateful for all of the #pregnant and #breastfeeding docs who have shared, including @yafshar @emergjenncy @DanaGField @LWestafer @FutureDocs @AmyAlexMD @JuliaNEM33 @AmyDoraMD @riesdaughter @anushkachelliah and others. Hope by sharing we can help others! #inthistogether 9/

Adding links:

CDC COVID vaccine health check-ins
http://vsafe.cdc.gov 

UW registry
https://redcap.iths.org/surveys/?s=87JFRCL8R8&fbclid=IwAR0q_JtH7BB-AgIHEtPRkv-YiEFowh2dTLpJzhcnR-p9qPuzuqHy6X6beRA

Out today in the @greenjrnl. #openaccess https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/fulltext/9900/coronavirus_disease_2019__covid_19__vaccines_and.76.aspx