Covid-19 Vaccination and Pregnancy
Information about receiving the Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy
Covid-19 vaccination: a guide on pregnancy and breastfeeding
Helping us to vaccinate pregnant women this year
This year’s flu vaccination programme is well underway, which is more important than ever with the added risk of flu and COVID-19 co-circulating.
As you will be aware, pregnant women are a priority group vulnerable to the serious impacts of flu and so it is important that we ensure high vaccine uptake in this group. The flu vaccine protects pregnant women but also provides protection for their newborn in the first few months of life. At-risk babies cannot be vaccinated until six months of age. Pregnant women can be vaccinated at any stage of pregnancy. They are eligible for a free flu vaccination and can obtain one from their GP.
A video has been produced to share with pregnant patients: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7D84Xawqws&t=5s
Preparing for baby
A free 3 week course, presented by Midwives, Family Support Service and Health Visitors covering everything new parents need to prepare for labour and parenthood. Places must be booked online at: https://bit.ly/31EVNGn
These should be booked by patients by week 25 of a pregnancy.
Screening Programme
We offer screening tests to all pregnant women and newborn babies to look for certain health conditions that could affect them.
Read the online Screening tests for you and your baby leaflet before your midwife booking appointment to find out much more about the screening tests offered.
www.gov.uk/phe/pregnancy-newborn-screening
Midwives
Attending Antenatal and postnatal care is essential to ensure the wellbeing of pregnant women and their babies.
All pregnant women who are well should attend their care as normal. If you are pregnant and have symptoms of possible Covid-19 infection, you should call to defer routine visits until after the isolation period is over / contact midwife.
A Midwife clinic is held at Helix Medical Centre on Tuesday afternoons and ad-hoc Thursday mornings offering antenatal / postnatal care to our patients. Appointments should be booked with the Midwife & not the GP.
Our staff can book appointments with the midwife from 8 weeks of pregnancy however, prior to calling us please take a look at the websites below to aid your decision as to where you wish to give birth, as your initial booking appointment will need to be booked with the correct hospital midwife.
If you decide you wish to have your baby at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex please self refer via: www.pah.nhs.uk/east-hertfordshire-midwife-referral-form
If you decide you wish to have your baby at Rosie Maternity Unit in Cambridge, please visit their website and then book an appointment with our reception team.
If you are undecided, contact our reception team & they will book a telephone appointment with our Midwife for you to disucss further.
Rosie Maternity Unit (Cambridge)
www.cuh.org.uk/rosie-hospital
Princess Alexandra Hospital (Harlow)
www.pah.nhs.uk/home
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Telephone: 01279 444455
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Location: The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX
For Princess Alexander Hospital - births, patients should call 01279 655191 and ask to speak to the booking midwives alternatively you can email your details (name / date of birth / contact details) to tpa-tr.hertsandessexmidwives@nhs.net to book the initial booking appointment from 8 weeks of pregnancy.
You would then book your following appointments with the midwife based at Helix Medical Centre from 16 weeks of pregnancy.
For Rosie Hospital - Cambridge, patients should call us on 01279 594450 to book an initial booking appointment with the midwife at Parsonage from 8 weeks of pregnancy.
If you need to contact our Midwife directly, please call the Midwifery Team on 01438 284533 - based at Lister Hospital in Stevenage.
Is is safe to fly when pregnant?
It's usually safe to fly while you're pregnant and it shouldn't harm your baby if pregnancy is straightforward.
Most airlines will not let you fly after week 37 of pregnancy, or week 32 if you're pregnant with twins or more babies.
What to do before you fly?
If you're planning on travelling by plane, you should discuss it with your midwife or GP first.
Some women try to avoid travelling in the first 12-15 weeks of pregnancy, because exhaustion and nausea tend to be worse at this early stage.
Before you book your tickets, check with your airline and insurance company that they will allow you to travel while pregnant. After you get to 28 weeks, most airlines require a letter from your midwife or GP confirming:
- that you're in good health
- that you have a normal pregnancy
- the expected date of delivery
Be aware that your GP will charge you for the letter as this is non NHS work - our current charge is £30 & the letter will be ready to collect in 10 days, however if required urgently the charge will be £60. Payment will be required in advance.
Some airlines may require medical clearance if:
- your delivery date is less than 4 weeks after your departure date
- complications are expected in your delivery
This may involve your GP or midwife filling in a form, or an assessment by the airline staff - see fees charged as above.
Check with your airline, as the restrictions can vary.
Risk of blood clots when flying
Flying for longer than 4 hours (long-haul travel) increases your risk of getting blood clots (thrombosis). It's not known if this risk gets higher when you are pregnant.
Wearing correctly-fitted compression stockings will reduce your risk of blood clots and fluid being retained in your legs (oedema). You can buy these over the counter in a pharmacy.
The following things can also reduce your risk of blood clots:
- calf exercises – most airlines provide information on these
- walking around the aircraft when possible
- wearing loose, comfortable clothing
For more information visit: www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/927.aspx?CategoryID=54
An online tool is available for anyone planning a pregnancy and has now been updated to include specific information and advice for women with diabetes, to ensure the best possible chance of a healthy pregnancy.
Women with Type 1 and 2 diabetes have an increased risk of adverse outcomes associated with poor pregnancy preparation, when compared to women who do not have diabetes.
Working with clinicians across the region, the East of England Diabetes Clinical Network has supported Tommy’s, the pregnancy charity, to update its ‘Planning for Pregnancy’ digital tool to give women with diabetes more information and advice. This includes specific advice about the risks associated with an unplanned pregnancy for women with diabetes and what steps women can take before getting pregnant.
The updated Planning for Pregnancy tool is available on Tommy’s website at www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-pregnancy/planning-for-pregnancy-tool or simply by typing ‘planning for pregnancy’ into your web browser.