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WOMEN’S HEALTH
Pregnant?
GET VACCINATED.
The COVID-19 and flu vaccines are safe if you’re
pregnant—and could save your baby’s life.
ALTHOUGH VACCINATION hospitalization is four times more THE COVID-19
RATES in Georgia have risen in in an unvaccinated pregnant VACCINE DOES NOT
recent months, many pregnant woman who gets COVID-19. It also AFFECT FERTILITY
women are still taking a pass on creates a 40% chance of getting
getting a COVID-19 shot. preeclampsia, a 50% chance of It’s been a common rumor this past year: If you get the
having a caesarean section and COVID-19 vaccine, you could become infertile. But despite
That’s a mistake, says a 50% chance of the newborn claims on social media, this allegation has zero basis in fact.
Padmashree “Champa” needing care in the NICU.”
Woodham, MD, FACOG, Director “There are zero signs the vaccine affects fertility in
of Regional Perinatal Center ANTIBODIES FOR BABY any way,” says Padmashree “Champa” Woodham, MD,
and Maternal-Fetal Medicine FACOG, Director of Regional Perinatal Center and
at Atrium Health Navicent The The other important thing about Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Atrium Health Navicent The
Medical Center and Atrium getting vaccinated against Medical Center and Atrium Health Navicent Medical Group.
Health Navicent Medical Group. COVID-19 and the flu while “It is a complete hoax.”
pregnant is that you can pass that
“The Centers for Disease protection to your unborn child. In fact, multiple studies have shown getting the vaccine
Control and Prevention has did not affect the success rate for women undergoing IVF,
studied thousands of pregnant “Antibodies from vaccination nor did it affect men’s sperm production or quality. However,
women who received different can cross the placenta contracting COVID-19 can negatively affect both sperm and
types of the vaccine, and there and provide protection,” erectile function.
was no increased risk for adverse Dr. Woodham says. “Also,
pregnancy outcomes and no there are antibodies in breast “If you are planning to get pregnant soon, getting a
increased risk for miscarriage,” milk, which are particularly vaccine is the best thing both future parents can do,”
Dr. Woodham says. “We beneficial to the baby.” Dr. Woodham says.
recommend the COVID-19 vaccine
for everybody who’s pregnant, As children under 5 are not 7WINTER 2021 | navicenthealth.org
along with the flu shot.” eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
and infants under 6 months are
LIFESAVING SHOTS not eligible for the flu shot, these
antibodies are important for your
While it’s natural to worry baby’s health.
whether something new
introduced into your body could “Children whose mothers
hurt your growing baby, you’re get the vaccine while they are
more likely to hurt the fetus— in utero have a huge health
and yourself—by remaining advantage,” Dr. Woodham says.
unvaccinated.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS
“Getting COVID-19 increases ABOUT VACCINES? TALK TO
the risk of death of a pregnant ONE OF OUR OB-GYNS ABOUT
woman two times over,” WHY IT’S SAFE FOR YOU AND
Dr. Woodham says. “The risk of YOUR BABY TODAY.
