As a leader in the health system and looking at who we serve, it was important to me to get vaccinated, not only to protect our patients and communities but to make sure that beds remained available for those who need them. There was also a pretty personal reason for me to get vaccinated.

I found out I was pregnant in January, right after the holidays and around the same time that vaccines were being rolled out to high-risk health care workers at Unity Health. At the time, neither vaccine was approved for pregnant people and everything I heard said don’t get it, so initially I didn’t.

The next few weeks were a struggle with so much mixed messaging. I was looking for information to guide my decision so I turned to the research. I reviewed the science – what we knew about the vaccines to-date – and this made a huge difference. I learned how the mRNA vaccines work and was able to reaffirm that they wouldn’t impact my baby’s development or his DNA.

I felt confident in the science and well supported by my physicians, but there was still some hesitancy. What I needed was to find stories of other pregnant people who got vaccinated in the same stage of their pregnancy. I came across a profile of a health disciplines staff in New York who got vaccinated at the end of her first trimester and said she was glad she did. Reading how confident she and others felt in their decision, that’s what made me comfortable to go ahead with mine.

I also thought about my three-year-old and my partner and our desire to re-connect with our families. To be there for my family and to protect them, I felt that I needed to get vaccinated. My daughter needs her mama. I need to take care of myself because my family needs me.

It’s been two months now since I got vaccinated and if I could, I’d tell newly-pregnant Sonya to go ahead. It’s natural to feel anxious – we all want what’s best for our babies and it can be difficult to know what that is. But for me, it was getting vaccinated.

To anyone who’s pregnant and struggling with their decision to get vaccinated, I want you to know that I understand. I encourage you to speak with your family, review the literature and reach out to your physician. Ask lots of questions. Think about why you’re hesitant and try to work through it with your support network.

I felt reassured when I learned that I wasn’t alone. If you’re pregnant and feeling conflicted, know that we’re out there. Pregnant people are getting vaccinated and we feel good about it.

Sonya Booker is the Manager of Abilities and Health at Unity Health Toronto. She got her COVID-19 vaccine. Get yours.

As told to Anna Wassermann. This interview has been edited and condensed.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine here.