PETALING JAYA: When Lee Mei Li got a Covid-19 vaccine appointment while in her 14th week of pregnancy, she was quite worried.

       The 38-year-old, who is expecting her third child, was hoping to reach a later stage of her pregnancy before getting vaccinated.

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       Although her concerns were exacerbated by stories on social media and several loved ones advising her against getting the vaccine, Lee did her own research, consulted her doctor and received support from her husband before deciding to get the jab.

       Lee said her mother and sister, as well as a friend, had advised her not to get the vaccine until she had delivered her baby.

       “I was worried after reading stories about other pregnant women.

       “I spoke to my husband and then my gynaecologist, who told me it wasn’t a problem as it is safe to take the vaccine after 12 weeks,” she added.

       Lee said she also followed the posts of @darlamzin on Instagram.

       “She went live recently and spoke to a doctor who worked at a vaccination centre. They ironed out all the concerns pregnant women have about getting vaccinated.

       “A lot of pregnant women who had gotten their first doses would also tag her in their Instagram stories and seeing those really helped with my decision,” said Lee, who will get her second dose on Aug 18.

       Liyana Helmy Had, who is six months pregnant, said expectant mothers were hesitant to take the vaccine due to misinformation, noting that there was a tendency for people to trust information from WhatsApp rather than credible sources.

       “I took the vaccine to protect myself, my toddler and the baby I am carrying now,” said the 31-year-old.

       Being fully vaccinated, Liyana said she feels much safer now but still takes high precautionary measures and avoids going out.

       But housewife Mahalia Razak, 26, who is due to deliver her first child next month, has chosen not to get vaccinated yet due to safety concerns.

       Salesperson M. Sara, 36, was planning to conceive her fourth child this year but has put her plans on hold to receive the vaccine first.

       Sara, who recently got her first dose, said she would wait for at least a year before getting pregnant again.“I am worried that the vaccine may have some effects on the baby, so I’d rather wait,” she added.

       There are also pregnant mothers who want to get vaccinated but have been advised against it by their doctors due to health reasons.

       One of them is Nur Hayati Abdullah, who is 33 weeks pregnant.“I have gestational diabetes, so that could be why my doctor told me to wait,” said the 35-year-old.

       On Monday, the death of popular singer Siti Sarah Raissuddin due to Covid-19 days after delivering her fourth child via an operation underlined the need for expectant mothers to be vaccinated.