The National Geographic e-Newsletter Should you get the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant? Here's what experts say:
Plus, it's been a wicked, stratifying strange year, where the work of the world was all called into question for a few weeks, and essentials only were working, bridging a gap between when utter collective uncertainties about what degree of effect the pandemic would exercise over daily life, while we waited with baited breath, reading stats about China and then Italy, comparing their rate of infection with projections based on blooming cases in our nearby cities. Uncertainty, fear, and then grim but orderly decisions about return to work. For those who could, virtual work was and has been the preferred option, and this was a bright side for some people who maybe suffered fatigue from chemo or lupus or other diseases/conditions, and were relieved when their commute was canceled. Not only were they staying safe, their lives were improved, and social justice advocates questioned whether employers should broaden their perspectives on remote work. Environmentalists questioned whether similar shutdowns will occur when global warming becomes an increased health concern, and praised the reduction of traffic on roads. Little silver linings and a time of hope and industry of thought. Americans banded together and reassessed the structure of society. Priorities reshuffled when pandemic struck and looking for the silver linings after inspirations like the success of zoom, the complete turnaround of my son's school system, I was inspired to think more deeply about living and working conditions in general, and my heart went to mothers. I thought about protective laws as a way to shelter people in interest groups but not limit their free will, and what it means to be a good advocate. It's a Friday night, and I've reached the hour of babysitting where I'm sitting in someone else's quiet house, far away from my home where all those unorganized winter clothes and dead light bulbs and a dog needing a walk await me. I'm catching up on emails and settling into a long update about world health and the COVID-19 vaccine with a warm comforting mug of coffee I don't need. My day started with an (early) annual women's health visit, and I shed a few tears in the parking lot afterwards thinking about my son and the wonderful, awesome day he was born. Becoming a mother has changed my life and my priorities and so many other things. Matters of free will have been fierce in my news feeds because of a controversial presidency, and contentions about mask mandates, shelter-in-place orders and emergency protocols. Then, a topic that has been subject to intense debate for months, very much an issue of free will -- vaccines, suddenly becomes an urgent, do or die, jump moment. Ironic is one thought that strayed through my brain. But another is how motherhood has changed me personally. How I can identify with an interest group, and with that lens, assess societal issues: I've had more sympathy for people who don't feel comfortable with vaccines since I went through parenting an infant, because it is frightening to see a little baby get so many big shots. Some needles were bigger than others, and on days when he got 3-4 shots, I was wondering what percent of his body fluids they were now representing! One even made a big bulge on his thigh for a few seconds before the nurse rubbed it in. It was one thing when I went to get my shots with my mom as a child/ teen, but being a mom watching my baby get the shots, I experienced much more anxiety. Still, I followed the recommendations and just got it over with, but during the blur of business of the first months of motherhood, I barely knew which shots he got. I was glad to leave that part up to the doctors! Besides my memory of those first few months of maternity, this National Geographic topic drew me right in since I have a best friend who is a pregnant healthcare worker. Based on my recently refreshed experiences with vaccines, my first question for her or any pregnant woman eligible for the vaccine would have been whether they were scared, just because it was nice to have someone talk the issue out for me. I was glad that this article elucidated the potential facts behind my vague fears - that a fetus could potentially have side effects (mild fever or discomfort) if the vaccine can cross the placenta. Otherwise, any harmful side effects on the mother would not be good for the fetus either. But on the other hand, a severe illness would also be a scary thing and much more damaging than any side effects of the vaccine0. While the WHO recommends women wait a little if they are not at high risk for COVID-19, the CDC says the vaccine should be available to pregnant women, but the decision should be theirs.
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AuthorWe are Kieran and Michelle, two 32-year-old William & Mary grads living in Virginia. Archives
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