Pregnant Women Infected with Covid may have a Higher Chance of Having a Premature Baby: Study

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 3 May 2022

With concerns about Covid-19 resurfacing, several experts have pointed out that pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalised and admitted to the critical care unit (ICU) if they become infected. Covid-19 exposure during pregnancy was linked to a higher risk of unfavourable maternal outcomes and preterm birth, according to a Canadian surveillance research.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia found that pregnant women who are Covid-infected have a higher risk of ICU admission and even early birth, according to a study published in JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association).

“It is important that pregnant people consider the increased risk and take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their infant by getting vaccinated, getting boosted and avoiding exposure to COVID-19 where possible,” said Dr. Deborah Money, a professor at UBC’s department of obstetrics and gynecology.

“Preterm births can result in serious and lifelong impacts on the infant,” said Dr Elisabeth McClymont, a UBC postdoctoral fellow and first author of the research.

According to the findings, the majority of pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Canada – 35.7 percent – were identified between 28 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. 466 (7.75%) required hospitalisation, and 121 (2.01%) were admitted to an intensive care unit.

The risk increased with age and comorbidities including high blood pressure, according to the study. Those who were fully immunised, on the other hand, had a lower chance of unfavourable maternal outcomes.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has consistently recommended people to acquire vaccines before or during pregnancy to allay suspicions that vaccinations might harm particular groups. "You are more likely to get really unwell from COVID-19 if you are pregnant or have recently been pregnant... The CDC states on its website that "you are at an elevated risk of issues that can damage your pregnancy and growing baby." It goes on to say that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can help you from becoming really ill from the condition

Despite concerns, there is no evidence that Covid-19 vaccinations have caused fertility difficulties in either women or men.