Pregnant patient 'made the right decision' after getting Covid-19 vaccine
A pregnant woman from Burton has spoken of her decision to take the Covid-19 vaccine to protect herself and her unborn child.
Claire Maher is currently pregnant with her second child and recently had her jab as Covid-19 continues to spread in the community.
It comes as evidence suggests that contracting the virus while pregnant carries significant risks to both mum and baby, which include heightened risk of premature births and admittances to intensive care.
After initially opting not to take the vaccine, Claire weighed up the benefits to her and her baby and made the decision to get vaccinated.
She said: “I weighed up having it versus not and how I would feel if I was to catch Covid. I would be more concerned if I got the virus and I hadn’t taken the opportunity to have the vaccine.
“At the time of deliberating I was just about to head into my third trimester, a time during which research suggests there are more risks, so I just wanted to take the opportunity to protect us both.”
It is a decision that has eased Claire’s mind as she heads closer to welcoming her new child into the world.
Claire added: “I felt like I had made the right decision straight away. I feel like I’ve done what I can to protect me and my family.”
Dawn Wright is a Midwife working in the Antenatal Clinic at Royal Derby Hospital and she too has encouraged as many pregnant women as possible to take up the vaccine:
“With Covid restrictions now lifting, we are seeing an increase in numbers of pregnant women who are becoming unwell with Covid. During your pregnancy, you will be offered the vaccine, which is the best and most effective way of protecting you and your baby.”
Patti Paine, Director of Midwifery / Divisional Nurse at UHDB, said: “We cannot stress enough the importance for everyone, but especially pregnant women, to get themselves vaccinated to give them and their babies the best possible start together. Globally, hundreds of thousands of women have been safely vaccinated against Covid-19 which not only protects them and their children, but also their friends, family, members of the community and our staff when they come to our hospitals.”
Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect you and your baby against COVID-19. It really is that simple.
“It’s so important for pregnant women to get their jab, particularly with the virus being so prevalent and the Delta variant proving itself to be so much more transmissible. If you have questions, talk to your midwife, talk to your obstetrician, talk to your GP. Get the answers you need and get the jab.”