A PREGNANT mum has urged other expectant mothers to get their Covid jab, after seeing her two-year-old child suffer with the virus.

Laura, whose story was shared by the trust running Southend and Basildon hospitals, has spoken out about getting the Covid vaccine.

The mum-of-two said: “I realised there was a lot of scare-mongering and click-bait out there that was unsubstantiated with facts or research.

“I was reassured by the advice of health professionals and available research and took the decision to get vaccinated as I knew it would provide the best possible defence for me and my unborn child.

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“Having seen my two-year-old in so much discomfort with Covid-19 broke my heart.

“I don’t want any of us to risk experiencing that again, either while I’m heavily pregnant or with a newborn.

“The vaccination itself was painless. A doctor at the vaccine centre took me to one side and answered any questions I had. I had a sore arm for a few days but no other side effects.

“I can’t wait to have my next jab and to continue to try and work through the anxiety I’m sure all expectant mums are feeling at the moment and try to enjoy this magical experience as much as possible.”

This comes as a record number of pregnant women were admitted to intensive care with Covid last month, data shows.

Figures from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre showed that in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 66 pregnant women ended up in intensive care in July, the highest number since the pandemic began and three times as many as April last year.

Doctors have raised concerns about vaccine hesitancy among expectant mothers and urged them to get jabbed.

The numbers of expectant mothers in intensive care has risen steadily in recent months, from 17 in March to 22 in June.

A spokesman from the NHS, said: “The vaccines are safe, effective and save lives, and it’s never too late to get your jab. Everything we’re doing to stop the spread of the virus is making a difference.”