​​"This article was previously published on Atrium Health's Daily Dose."

Dr. Hannah Ehasz, OB/GYN with Atrium Health Northeast Women's Health & Obstetrics Renaissance answers questions about vaccines and testing during pregnancy. What is recommended and safe and what should be reserved for after the pregnancy? Also, what types of tests are required during regular OB/GYN checkups to ensure the best outcomes for mother and baby?


You're hearing a lot about what to expect throughout your pregnancy and you may have questions. What types of vaccines are necessary and normally given to pregnant women? Can the COVID-19 shot be administered safely along with other recommended shots? What routine tests do pregnant women need to stay as healthy as possible? And will my doctor talk to me about these? Dr. Hannah Ehasz, OB/GYN with Atrium Health Northeast Women's Health & Obstetrics Renaissance gives us the answers to some of our biggest pregnancy testing and vaccine questions.


Q: What types of vaccines should pregnant women get – and when should they get them?

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During pregnancy, doctors recommend that pregnant women get these shots to protect against these illnesses that can cause significant harm:

It's also safe to administer flu, Tdap, and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. However, since every woman's health needs are different, the final say about which vaccines should be administered should come from her OB/GYN.



Q: Are Vaccines Safe for Pregnant Women?

Yes, vaccines are safe for pregnant women when they use the inactivated virus, bacteria, or toxoid. These have consistently been shown to be safe in pregnancy. Years of evidence show that the flu and Tdap vaccines do not increase the risk of miscarriage, adverse effects to the mom or fetus, or long-term developmental issues for the baby.

While data about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy is limited, there is a growing body of evidence that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any potential risks. Both animal and human studies have not identified any safety concerns for any of the available COVID-19 vaccines in any trimester. Studies have shown no increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes including miscarriage and congenital anomalies.

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Q: How Do Vaccines Help?

Vaccines help by preventing disease or reducing the severity of many illnesses that could otherwise hospitalize a pregnant woman. Studies also suggest that vaccinated pregnant women pass protective antibodies through the placenta which protect the baby after delivery.




Q: What Vaccines Should Pregnant Women Avoid, and why?

​Pregnant women should avoid any kind of vaccine with a live-attenuated virus. The Flumist vaccine, which uses a live-attenuated virus, is just one example. Others to be avoided are the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and Varicella vaccine (chickenpox). These vaccines post a theoretical risk of infection to the pregnancy and are best avoided until after the postpartum period.


Q: What about certain tests during pregnancy? Which ones do pregnant women need?


​There are several tests that your OB/GYN will recommend during your pregnancy care schedule. The pregnant woman's age, health condition, and other factors influence whether one or all the tests are necessary. Here are the main tests that are offered and why.


Genetic Carrier Screening — Optional

This is performed for women before or during pregnancy to assess the risk of their children having genetic disorders such as:


Screening for Chromosomal Disorders — Optional

This test detects an extra or missing chromosome or piece of chromosome in the fetus, which affects 1 in 150 births. Chromosomal disorders can affect any pregnancy but become more common as women age. Disorders such as Down Syndrome can be detected through several tests in this class that include:

While the screening tests discussed above seek to identify pregnancies that are at risk for a genetic disorder, more geneticdiagnostic tests can determine with as much certainty as possible if a genetic abnormality is present. These tests may be recommended if a screening test is positive, if an ultrasound abnormality is identified, or if there is a genetic disorder that runs in the family.


Ultrasounds — Recommended

Most people will have multiple ultrasounds during pregnancy. Ultrasounds start in the first trimester to confirm that the pregnancy is correctly located in the uterus, to ensure the pregnancy is viable, to identify the number of fetuses present, and to help to establish a due date. Patients may undergo additional ultrasounds if they experience pain or bleeding in the first trimester. Sometimes an ultrasound needs to be performed transvaginally for full assessment in the first trimester.

In the second trimester, a complete assessment of fetal anatomy is performed typically from 18-22 weeks through another ultrasound. Some patients with risk factors will have this ultrasound with a high-risk specialist (Maternal-Fetal Medicine). The anatomy ultrasound includes imaging of the fetal head and brain, neck, face, chest and heart, abdomen, spine, extremities, and genitals. The placenta is assessed for issues such as placenta previa, and the cervix is assessed to ensure it is not shortening or dilating prematurely.

An ultrasound is sometimes performed in the third trimester to assess the fetal size/growth and the amniotic fluid. Patients with health or pregnancy risk factors that can affect fetal growth are scheduled for these ultrasounds. Other patients may be scheduled for a growth ultrasound if the abdomen is measuring smaller or larger than expected.


Fetal Monitoring — Recommended for At-Risk Patients

Antenatal fetal monitoring is recommended for patients with medical conditions or pregnancy complications that put the pregnancy at increased risk for stillbirth. Examples include but are not limited to high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, fetal growth problems, fetal anomalies, and multiples. The timing and frequency of testing vary based on condition, but most often testing starts at 32 weeks and occurs twice weekly.


Gestational Diabetes Screening — Recommended

​Chemicals released by the placenta sometimes cause pregnant women to develop gestational diabetes—this is one of the most common complications during pregnancy. It is important to detect gestational diabetes because it increases the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia, need for c-section, stillbirth, large birth weight, shoulder dystocia, birth injury, and low blood sugar for the baby after birth. Screening is typically performed from 24-28 weeks, though for women with risk factors screening may be recommended earlier in pregnancy. Learn more about this process and what it means here.


Group B Strep Culture — Recommended

Group B strep (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) is a bacteria that colonizes the vagina or GI tract of approximately 10-30% of women. GBS is a leading cause of infections for newborn babies. If untreated, about half of women who are colonized with GBS will pass the bacteria to the infant during labor after the water is broken or while the infant passes through the birth canal. To prevent newborn illness, women are tested around 36 weeks for group B strep. Women who test positive for GBS should receive antibiotics during labor to lower the baby's risk of getting an infection.

With this wealth of information, pregnant women can make informed decisions about their health that benefit both mother and child.

For more information about pregnancy care or to find an OB/GYN in the Atrium Health system, consult Atrium Health's list of OB/GYN physicians or visit the Women's Resource Hub.

To get vaccinated against COVID-19, schedule your appointment online today.

To get treatment for the flu or to schedule a flu shot appointment, get care now.