Are pregnant women at more of a risk for COVID-19?
There is no evidence that shows pregnant women are at more of a risk to get COVID. Although, studies show that respiratory viruses are especially dangerous to pregnant women.
Respiratory viruses pose a threat to pregnant women, whose lungs are already working harder than usual.
Pregnancy also dials down the immune system to avoid any harm to the baby.
What are the risks of pregnant women with COVID-19?
Pregnant women with COVID-19 are at higher risk of hospitalization and severe disease than women who are the same age and not pregnant.
Pregnant women who are hospitalized have a 60% higher chance of being admitted into the ICU.
Women with COVID-19 have a 3x higher risk of delivering pre-term compared to those without the disease.
Can the virus be passed down to the fetus?
Studies show that transmission of COVID-19 from the mother to the fetus (vertical transmission) is very rare.
Babies who have been born of infected mothers have not experienced any negative effects.
COVID-19 has not been linked to an increase in stillbirth or stalled fetal growth.
Scientists have found antibodies of COVID-19 in the umbilical cord of women who have been infected, but it is still unclear whether or not this will affect the fetus.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for pregnant women?
During the COVID-19 vaccine trials, pregnant women were excluded. Therefore, there is not enough evidence to show what exact risks there are that could affect pregnant women.
Although it is suggested that women who are pregnant and have underlying conditions or work the frontlines get vaccinated, with the consent of their physician.
