We’ve taken extra steps to ensure that intended parents and surrogates alike understand the facts around COVID-19 and fertility.

Although we’re now in a different phase of the pandemic, it’s important to remain diligent and follow the proper recommendations and best practices outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

After all, the truth is that we’re still in a period of uncertainty because no one can predict how the virus will change within the next six months.

We understand how stressful it can be to give birth to a child during such a time, yet we also don’t want you to be afraid because the science is actually on your side regarding surrogacy and COVID-19!

Unfortunately, there’s so much misinformation online – or blatant propaganda – that it’s difficult for surrogates and intended parents to judge what’s reliable and inaccurate.

So, here’s a breakdown of what we currently know about how COVID-19 and the vaccine can affect pregnancy, fertility, and your decision to take the journey into surrogacy.

Is the vaccine safe to take during pregnancy?

At the time of this writing, there’s no scientific data indicating that the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines pose a life-threatening danger during pregnancy. That’s the bottom line answer we want you to know.

Recently, the Pfizer vaccine gained FDA approval for full authorization, including use during pregnancy. There haven’t been very many studies that specifically covered pregnant women, but we do have enough anecdotal information that strongly suggests the vaccines are safe to take during pregnancy.

The U.S. has administered millions upon millions of vaccines, and there has not been a wave of reports of the vaccine suddenly triggering pregnancy complications in otherwise healthy women.

Still, if you’d like to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy, we’d be more than happy to have a chat with you to address your uncertainty and hesitancy. 

Will the vaccine affect the baby?

Whether in utero or after birth, babies don’t show any adverse side effects when a mother takes the vaccine while pregnant. The best information available right now indicates that the COVID-19 vaccines – the mRNA vaccines, specifically – neither help nor hurt pregnancy.

The good news is that there has been at least one study published about in vitro fertilization and the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

In the end, researchers found no statistical difference between mothers who received the vaccine, mothers who recently had a COVID-19 infection and recovered, and pregnant women who have had neither the vaccine nor a COVID-19 infection.

Without a doubt, the results coincide with all of the anecdotal information we have available about the safety of the vaccine in pregnant women.

Do COVID-19 and the vaccine affect fertility?

But the question of fertility is another thing entirely. That’s because fertility can affect men as well as women, yet there’s plenty of good news on that front as well! 

A small study was recently published about how the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may or may not affect sperm count after vaccination. Ultimately, researchers proved that the vaccine does not affect sperm count after either dose. 

Does COVID-19 affect your period?

At SurrogateFirst, we genuinely believe in providing you with accurate, honest, and trustworthy information, so we feel it’s important to communicate that contracting COVID-19 may affect your menstrual cycle if you develop long-term COVID-19 symptoms.

You may not know that COVID-19 symptoms can last for months in some people, the “long haulers” that experience complications well after they cease to test positive for the virus.

The range of effects varies, but many COVID-19 long haulers are experiencing heart problems, breathing problems, and excessive blood clotting. Thus, it follows that unusual blood clots during your period would coincide with long-term COVID-19 symptoms.

But for most women, any disruption to their menstrual cycle after contracting COVID-19 usually subsides after recovering from the virus.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect your period?

As you might expect, it also appears that the COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t have much of an effect on menstruation for the vast majority of people who take the jab. 

But there are anecdotal cases of women experiencing a much heavier period than usual or a much lighter period than usual after taking a COVID-19 vaccine, and studies are ongoing at the time of this writing.

Still, it would be best if you weren’t afraid of a rare vaccine side effect to the point where you choose not to become pregnant or take the vaccine in the first place.

Can surrogates take the COVID-19 vaccine safely too?

So, with that information in mind, the next question is this: is it okay for surrogates to take the COVID-19 vaccine?

Certainly, the answer is yes!

In fact, receiving a COVID-19 vaccination actually increases your chances of delivering a healthy newborn.

There’s plenty we still don’t know about how COVID-19 affects people, yet we do know that contracting COVID-19 while pregnant is a significant risk factor for both the mother and the unborn child.

In other words, if you become pregnant and don’t accept vaccination, you’re only increasing your risk of COVID-19-related complications when you and your unborn child are most vulnerable to a severe viral infection like the coronavirus.

At the end of the day, you’re free to make your own health decisions regarding pregnancy, but you shouldn’t let the fear of infertility stop you from pursuing the journey into surrogacy.

About SurrogateFirst

At SurrogateFirst, we’re a boutique surrogate agency specializing in quickly matching intended parents around the world with our fully-vetted, exceptional surrogates.

We help individuals and couples, regardless of race or sexual orientation, build their families through the miracle of surrogacy.

Every team member at SurrogateFirst is either a former intended parent or an experienced surrogate herself. We also have first-hand knowledge of what it takes to have an incredible, successful surrogate journey.

Speak with us and learn more about becoming a surrogate or finding the right surrogate to help you start the family you always wanted!