✓ Covid vaccination and the search for pregnancy: how long do you have to wait?

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Initially, when the scientific evidence was still limited, some doctors advised to wait at least six months after the anti-Covid vaccination before trying to get pregnant. And so, the need to wait a few months has held back many women from choosing to vaccinate against Covid-19. Now, however, the scientific community has no more doubts: once the vaccination is complete there is no valid reason to postpone the pregnancy.

Anti-Covid vaccination and maternity deso: it is not necessary to postpone

Among the various questions present in the anamnestic form for the anti-Covid vaccination there is one in which the woman is asked if she intends to get pregnant after the vaccine. This is because at the time when the vaccination campaign began there was still not enough data on the effects of the vaccine in pregnant women and therefore it was decided to proceed with caution. advising women to wait a few months before trying to have a child. Now, however, the scientific evidence is available and it is also very reassuring.

"The data collected since the beginning of the vaccination campaign tell us that there is no reason to let time pass between the administration of the vaccine and the search for pregnancy, there are no contraindications - explains the dr. Luca Savelli, Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of the Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital in Forlì - indeed, it is good support vaccination for all women who want to become mothers given that Covid during pregnancy can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. In fact, the most recent studies show that the virus causes adverse effects on the development and function of the placenta ".

Covid-19 in pregnancy: is it really more aggressive?

Nowadays, every day we read news of pregnant women hospitalized due to Covid-19. Unfortunately, in fact, the most recent scientific evidence shows us that pregnant women have a increased risk of developing severe pneumonia and that the virus, if contracted during pregnancy, can cause damage to the placenta, thus increasing the risk of growth retardation and preterm delivery.

According to a study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, in fact, there is a 20 times greater risk of death in pregnant women who have contracted the infection compared to those who are not infected, as well as a higher likelihood of having to be admitted to the ICU, preterm birth and complications of gestation, such as preeclampsia.

Unlike other vaccines, such as the one against rubella, after the anti-Covid vaccination there is therefore no need to let a certain period of time pass before trying to become pregnant.

Read also: Vaccines for childbearing age and pregnancy: the new recommendations of the Ministry of Health

The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated their guidelines, arguing that Covid vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years of age and older, including pregnant, breastfeeding women. and also those trying to get pregnant now or in the future. Furthermore, thanks to the vaccine administered to the future mother, the anti Covid antibodies will also be transferred to the newborn, who will thus be protected during the first months of life.

Covid vaccination and infertility: no correlation

In the previous months, some anti-vaccine movements had spread the (false) news that the anti-Covid vaccination could have negative effects on fertility both male and female. The reality, however, is quite different. As the Del Paesena Society of General Medicine points out, in a recently published document, "there is no evidence that vaccines cause fertility problems or that they can cause problems for those wishing to conceive a child now or in the future".

We also find the UK public health sector of the same opinion. According to the official website, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) reiterated that anti-Covid vaccination has no effect on fertility or the possibility of getting pregnant.

Anti-Covid vaccine and assisted procreation: how to behave?

As we have already seen, national and international scientific societies have expressed themselves in favor of vaccination not only in pregnant and lactating women, but also and above all in women who are trying to become pregnant, both spontaneously and through ART techniques. .

"Even for those who are following a path of medically assisted procreation there are no reasons to postpone the anti-Covid vaccination. As with all other women, it is really important that women get vaccinated, both to protect herself and the little one she carries in her womb from the risks of Covid-19 "specifies Savelli.

The advice, for those who are following a path of MAP, is to avoid vaccination at least three days before and three days after the procedure. The reason? Possible post-vaccine side effects, such as fever and fatigue, could affect pre- and post-operative monitoring. In addition, with symptoms similar to those of Covid-19 infection (fever), many hospitals could refuse the patient's access, thus having to postpone the entire procedure.

Read also: All medically assisted procreation techniques

Getting pregnant after the first dose of Covid vaccine

However, the case of a woman who has received the first dose of the anti-Covid vaccination and who discovers she is pregnant is different. "If a woman finds out she is pregnant shortly after the first dose you must not worry at all, the second dose will simply be postponed to the second semester "explains Dr. Savelli, who then continues" it is advisable to postpone because a percentage between 3% and 25% of women can experience fever as an effect collateral of the second dose of vaccine and it is known that the fever could have in turn potential negative effects on the embryo. That is why, to be cautious, it is recommended to take the second dose starting from the 13th week ".

However, there is no reason to worry, because, as also indicated in the new document from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, if a vaccinated woman discovers she is pregnant after receiving the vaccine, there is no evidence in favor of stopping the vaccine. pregnancy. The vaccine is safe and does not harm either the mother or the fetus.

Read also: Covid vaccination in pregnancy

Sources used: advice of dr. Luca Savelli, Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of the Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital in Forlì; guidelines of the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) guidelines; interim indications for vaccination in pregnancy from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità; document "pregnancy and anti-Covid-19 vaccination" of the Del Paesena Society of General Medicine.

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