Weeks before Elizabeth Espinal, five months pregnant, rolled up her sleeve to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the neurosurgery researcher discussed her confidence in the shot with her husband, Santos, a chef.
“I had some reservations that are common for people who don’t work in the medical field,” she told The Post, Queens ’future mother. “But I wanted him to be comfortable with the decision as well, because we’re together on that.”
Until they were finally decided, the Spinals were one of the growing number of expectant parents who had to struggle with the pros and cons as the vaccine launch continued, mostly because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Diseases have not yet made direct recommendations. on whether pregnant women should be inoculated or not.
Northwell Health businessman Espinal, 36, added: “We put a lot of thought into it and got crowded opinions from my gynecologist and the doctors I work closely with.
“I look at things very scientifically, weighing the risks such as hiring COVID-19 and documented cases of premature birth [the disease has caused]. All roads point towards the goal, as there are no real risks associated [pregnant women receiving] apart from [the side effects that would impact] anyone who got the vaccine, ”he said.
So far, the CDC has only said that the vaccine “is unlikely to pose a risk to pregnant women” and that those “who are pregnant and are part of a recommended group to receive the coronavirus vaccine, such as the health personnel, they can choose to be vaccinated ”.
The position of the centers has been adopted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Both organizations recommend that patients consult their doctor about the risks and benefits of the vaccine.
SMFM spokeswoman Dr. Jacqueline Parchem, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine who will give birth to her third child in February, has recently used Twitter to powerfully express his personal view of the matter.
The 38-year-old Authealth teacher shared a photo where she was injected. Another image shows the Houston-based OB-GYN holding a blank sticker: “I received the vaccine for: all ppl pregnant!“, He wrote to.
He told The Post that his social media campaign had three intended purposes: to explain in secular terms the science behind the vaccine, to offer assurances about its safety, and to show how it is shown by example.
“We are in a very difficult time where it is difficult to distinguish good information from bad information and where credible sources are found,” Parchem said. “Doctors are now presenting unequivocal public health messages to address vaccination hesitation.”
Uniformed anti-vaxxers have trolled Parchem for her online position, but she takes the attacks calmly: “[Their] the comments come from a scary place because there is no scientific basis, “he said.” I have not had any negative comments from anyone who has been able to express their real concern to me. ”
In her tweets, the expert notes that it is “difficult to find any other medical intervention that works well THIS”, and adds: “Unfortunately I know the risks of COVID during pregnancy and I have seen too many pregnant patients with serious illnesses.”
She said she was frustrated by the lack of obvious research on pregnant women and the vaccine due to the group’s usual exclusion from such trials. However, none of the women who conceived during the test, nor the babies who gave birth, have so far shown negative results.
“However, there is a proven risk of serious illness [due to COVID] among pregnant people, leading to a need for ICU care, mechanical ventilation and potentially death, “Parchem said.” If the pregnant person gets sick or dies, the fetus will not be well.
“It’s an awkward thought to have, though. as one of mine [medical peers] he wrote, “Death crosses the placenta.”
“When you put all this together, you have to get vaccinated.”
Manhattan resident Elaina Preston, an 11-week-pregnant nurse who works with highly immunocompromised patients, quickly responded to these tips.
He received his second dose on January 7 after examining studies on the vaccine and consulting his reproductive medicine doctor, gynecologist-obstetrician and knowledgeable colleagues.
“I was relieved to be eligible, especially because I have moderate persistent asthma,” said Preston, 38, the mother of a one-year-old child. “I now have more confidence in working in a hospital, knowing that most of my co-workers will also be vaccinated.”
Recalling the time she received her first dose, on Dec. 18, the medical professional admitted a “slight sense of anxiety about being one of the first pregnant women to get vaccinated.”
But with a master’s degree in public health and training in clinical research, he relies on the data.
“I am so happy that, after all the terrible things that have happened in 2020, I am taking a step forward towards a better future.”