Rising Hospitalizations Among Pregnant Individuals with COVID-19

I find it deeply troubling to continually report on the grim realities of COVID-19, but we wouldn’t be in this situation if people would simply take the necessary precautions, wear masks, and get vaccinated. And yes, this message extends to pregnant individuals as well. Do some genuinely believe Delta is just a name for an airline?

Last Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly urged all pregnant individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The current vaccination rate among pregnant people is concerningly low, with only 23% having received at least one dose. As a result, hospitals in areas heavily impacted by the virus are experiencing a rise in critical cases among unvaccinated expectant individuals. (I’m looking at you, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, and Texas. For states that claim to be pro-life, the lack of concern for dying pregnant individuals is shocking—though, let’s be honest, the commitment to life has often appeared selective.)

According to the CDC, around 105,000 pregnant women in the U.S. have contracted COVID-19, with nearly 18,000 (17%—almost 1 in 5) requiring hospitalization. About 25% of those hospitalized have needed intensive care, and 124 have died.

“CDC encourages all pregnant people or those planning to become pregnant, as well as those breastfeeding, to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19,” stated CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “The vaccines are safe and effective, and it has never been more critical to boost vaccination rates as we confront the highly transmissible Delta variant and witness severe outcomes among unvaccinated pregnant individuals.”

Why Pregnant Individuals Should Get Vaccinated

The fact that I even have to assert that the vaccine is safer than contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy is infuriating. One would think this should be common knowledge by now. The overwhelming evidence indicates that the COVID-19 vaccine is far less risky compared to the disease itself, especially given that the Delta variant is 60% more contagious than the original strain and can lead to more severe symptoms.

In pregnant individuals, COVID-19 can lead to higher risks of intensive care, ventilation, or even death. Although the overall risk of death remains low, there’s a significant chance of premature birth, which can introduce various complications for the newborn, including potential long-term health issues.

Additionally, many newborns have contracted COVID-19 after birth, often transmitted by their unvaccinated mothers. Infants have underdeveloped immune systems and smaller airways, making them especially vulnerable. Pregnancy naturally weakens the immune system to prevent the body from attacking the developing baby, and this, coupled with reduced lung capacity, makes pregnant individuals more susceptible to the coronavirus.

The Importance of Vaccination

Despite previous hesitations, leading health organizations have recommended the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant individuals. Earlier, the CDC left the vaccination decision to expectant individuals, but now the agency is urging vaccination due to the alarming rise in cases related to the Delta variant.

On July 30, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) advised health providers to “enthusiastically recommend vaccination” to pregnant individuals. Current data from tens of thousands of women confirm the safety of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy.

Importantly, a CDC study found no increased risk of miscarriage among approximately 2,500 pregnant women who received the mRNA COVID vaccine (Moderna and Pfizer) before reaching 20 weeks of pregnancy. The miscarriage rate for vaccinated women was 13%, consistent with the general population’s rate of 11% to 16%.

Furthermore, there is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine poses any risk to either the mother or the baby, as confirmed in initial results from a New England Journal of Medicine study involving 35,000 pregnant women.

I understand that when pregnant, individuals tend to be cautious about what they introduce into their bodies. However, the far greater risk lies in avoiding vaccination and facing the potentially fatal consequences of COVID-19.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or have recently given birth, please get vaccinated against COVID-19. Don’t wait until tragedy strikes.

For more information, you can explore our other blog posts, such as this one. Additionally, Cryobaby provides valuable insights on home insemination kits, and American Pregnancy is an excellent resource for pregnancy and donor insemination.

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Summary:

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a troubling increase in hospitalizations among pregnant individuals, particularly those who are unvaccinated. The CDC has urged all pregnant people to receive the vaccine to mitigate risks associated with the virus, especially with the emergence of the Delta variant. Evidence shows that the vaccine is safer than contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy, with no increased risk of miscarriage or harm to the mother or baby. It is crucial for expectant individuals to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their newborns.