stillbirth and other poor outcomes for infants, according to the CDC.
People who are pregnant and have COVID-19 are also more likely to develop a dangerously high blood pressure — a condition called preeclampsia — than those who don’t have COVID-19, and they are more at risk for preterm birth.
Unfortunately, about 97% of those who were infected with the virus when they were hospitalized — for either the illness or for their labor and delivery — were not vaccinated, The New York Times reports.
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The absolute risk of severe disease is low, but symptomatic pregnant patients are twice as likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit or require significant interventions, such as mechanical ventilation, the CDC notes.
They may also be more likely to die.
Pregnant women were not included in the trials for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which has meant there is more limited data for them, but studies since the vaccines were authorized to have found that the vaccines produce a robust immune response in pregnant people, did not damage the placenta, and did not increase the risk of miscarriage, the Times reports.
The benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh the risks, but if you are concerned about how the vaccine may affect the health of you or your child, consult with your doctor.