Women trying to conceive advised 'no evidence' Covid vaccine affects fertility
MFR hears from women who are worried about getting the jab while trying for a baby.
Last updated 23rd Feb 2021
Women across the country are being advised there's no evidence to suggest the Covid vaccine has any impact on fertility.
It's as MFR speaks with women who are worried about getting the jab while trying for a baby.
The current advice says pregnant women working in the health and care sector, or those with underlying health conditions, can receive it - while those trying to conceive are told it won't have any impact on their fertility.
One woman, who didn't want to be named, said: "We had a baby which was still born at 20 weeks and then when we had our second birth – we nearly lost him during labour.
"My experiences so far haven’t been the best which is why I’m probably a bit more extreme than some people might be.
"Any aspect of risk, no matter how small for me and for my unborn child, is just too much.
"From my perspective, I’m not prepared to take it until I’m past trying for another baby – however my job requires me to get it because I’m classed as frontline, so I’m also taking that risk from that perspective."
Another women who we spoke to says she has worries after losing a baby following a flu vaccination.
She said: "We're currently trying for baby number two - I have a wee girl right now, she was a twin but I lost her sister at 20 weeks during my pregnancy and that week I'd gone for my flu vaccine.
"Part of me tells me it was nothing to do with the reason why it happened but the other part of me wonders if she was weaker.
"It was the fact that they turned around straight away with the Covid vaccine and said that they didn't know what it could do with fertility - I just thought well, I'm not going to take that risk."
No scientific basis
Mary Ross-Davie, Director for Scotland at the Royal College of Nursing, says there's no plausible way the vaccine could affect fertility.
Mary said: "There's been a huge amount of misinformation online about there being a problem with the vaccine and fertility and really we need to put those rumours to bed because they're based on no scientific facts at all.
"If you're planning to get pregnant, then do have that vaccination.
"There's no evidence of any risk to your fertility or to a pregnancy that happens soon after that.
"Pregnant women are excluded from research studies and so then what we don't have is really strong evidence about whether it is safe for pregnant women and their babies because there just isn't the research evidence yet."
Talk to your vaccinator
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman is encouraging women to speak to professionals for advice if they're unsure.
Ms Freeman said: "My encouragement would be to take the vaccine. and when you go along to be vaccinated that's another opportunity, with really experienced vaccinators who understand the vaccine, to ask them questions before they actually vaccinate you.
"Think this through seriously because the vaccination is a real protection to you and your health and attempting to become pregnant is also very important."