infected. Women who have COVID tend to have more difficulty getting oxygen-rich blood to their fetuses.
“We’re seeing areas of the placenta that are oxygen-deprived,” Dr. Ragsdale adds. “That’s the baby’s source of oxygen and survival in pregnancy.”
RELATED: Pregnant Women Show No Worse Symptoms After COVID Vaccines
Are vaccinations safe for pregnant women?
Whether or not vaccines are safe for pregnant women has understandably been a concern since the vaccines officially began rolling out.
By the time the Delta variant surged, only about one-third of pregnant women had vaccinations.
Although the CDC is continuing to “monitor, analyze, and disseminate” information from people that have been vaccinated during all trimesters of pregnancy to better understand the effects it may have on pregnancy and babies, there is currently no evidence that has shown safety concerns for babies born to people who were vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy. It is also unlikely that the vaccine will cause long-term effects, according to the CDC.
“We have evidence to show there is no increased risk of miscarriage or poor pregnancy outcomes from the vaccine,” Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, deputy chief medical and health officer for the March of Dimes says. “All evidence points to the safety of this vaccine.”
The CDC recommends that pregnant women get vaccinated at any point during their pregnancy and stay up to date with their COVID-19 shots, including getting a booster shot.
As expected, the virus is deadlier to mothers who have underlined health issues, so that is yet another reason to consider getting vaccinated.
If you are pregnant, discuss the COVID-19 vaccination with your healthcare professional. This conversation isn’t required, but it might be helpful if you are concerned about how the vaccine may affect you and your unborn child. You can receive a COVID-19 vaccine, including a booster shot, without any additional documentation from your healthcare professional.