Given her complex medical issues, Kathy Houlihan did not hesitate to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when she was pregnant with her fourth child.
Kathy’s third child, Killian, was born in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and her fourth baby will arrive any day, just a few weeks outside of Victoria’s sixth lockdown.
The Preston mum has three beautiful children, for whom she is incredibly grateful, but her journey has not been without bumps in the road.
Kathy and her family.
As a five year old, Kathy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. As an adult, she has undergone the pain of four miscarriages and during some of her pregnancies she was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a dangerous disease of the placenta.
“When it came to COVID-19, I didn’t need to be told that I’m in the high-risk category. I knew that I had to be vaccinated,” Kathy says.
Mercy Health Obstetrician Dr Alexis Shub, who has guided Kathy through her pregnancies over the past seven years, was emphatic that she should be vaccinated.
“Women considering pregnancy should include vaccination as part of their planning,” says Alexis.
“We have considerable data from overseas because COVID-19 immunisation has been available for longer in other parts of the world. That data shows that pregnant women who get COVID-19 can become extremely sick, and can put their baby at risk.
“It is a change in messaging from the first year of the pandemic, but we now know that immunisation is best for pregnant woman.”
Kathy says she has absolute faith in Mercy Health.
“Mercy Hospital for Women has the best staff and the best facilities, and I have absolute belief in Dr Shub and the advice she gives,” Kathy says.
Dr Alexis Shub with Kathy, just a few weeks before delivery day.
“When Dr Shub told me I should be vaccinated, I responded straight away.”
From 9 November 2021, Mercy Health introduced an inpatient vaccination program at Mercy Hospital for Women for pregnant women, including those with complex pregnancies.
“There is considerable data to draw on from pregnant women who have COVID-19 vaccinations overseas and in Australia,” Alexis says. “We know that other vaccinations like flu and whooping cough are safe in pregnancy.
“We also know that vaccination is safe during breastfeeding, and that vaccination during pregnancy or breastfeeding may also protect the baby.
“We understand that the pandemic has been an incredibly stressful time. Mothers, of course, are anxious to do the best for their babies, and our advice is based on lots of carefully considered data.”
Postscript: On 19 November, Kathy gave birth to Jarlath John Houlihan. He was born by Caesarean section and is now safely home with his family.
Last reviewed December 19, 2021.