Sarah
A COVID Story
Place of Residence: Superior, Colorado
Sarah received a COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant and her daughter tested positive for COVID antibodies at four months old. Sarah wants others to know the benefits of COVID vaccination for pregnant people.
Below, Sarah shares her personal experience as a postpartum mother.
What has been your experience with vaccination? Why do you think it’s so important?
Being pregnant during a pandemic was stressful. My husband and I knew we needed to be extra careful and do everything possible to stay safe and healthy. At every appointment my doctor and I would talk about COVID and how best to protect myself and the baby since the risks of COVID during pregnancy are real and potentially devastating.
I was excited about the COVID vaccine development and rollout, but didn’t expect to be eligible for the vaccine before my due date. I was surprised when in February 2021 my doctor said she could administer my first dose after my next appointment, and admittedly I was a little nervous about getting the shot while pregnant. However, after discussing it with my doctor – whom I trust and respect – I was reassured that the research and development of the vaccines were well-established, that the protections offered by the vaccine were important for me and my baby, and that any potential risks from being vaccinated were miniscule.
I received my first dose of the Moderna vaccine at 32-weeks, and my second dose at 36-weeks; no side-effects and no issues either time. My husband was fortunate to be able to get vaccinated just a few weeks after me.
Our beautiful baby girl was born on her due date in mid-April.
Lauren is a happy, healthy baby, growing and thriving, meeting (and exceeding!) all her developmental milestones. At her four-month doctor’s appointment, the doctor asked if she could test Lauren’s blood for COVID antibodies. Early research has shown that antibodies from the vaccine can pass from mother to baby through cord blood and breastmilk.
One of the happiest moments of my life was when the doctor said the antibody test showed a strong positive result! It was proof positive that getting vaccinated while pregnant was the right decision because the vaccine is protecting me and my baby from the known dangers of COVID-19.
I want to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, especially pregnant and nursing mothers. Getting vaccinated was an easy and relatively painless way to give my baby some protection against COVID-19, and I feel very fortunate to have had the option to receive the vaccine while pregnant. I want all expecting mothers to feel the same joy and relief.
What advice would you give to someone who didn’t want to vaccinate themselves or their family? What do you want others to know?
If someone is hesitant to get vaccinated, I’d encourage them to reach out to a trusted doctor to discuss their concerns and learn about the benefits of vaccinations. The risks are exceedingly small, while the benefits are huge. The science and medical research behind vaccines is amazing, and we are fortunate to live in a time and place where vaccines are readily available.
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