Pregnant women not vaccinated against coronavirus put babies at risk
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Doctors are concerned about the low number of women who are pregnant and vaccinated, despite growing evidence of just how much protection the vaccine gives.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just 34% of pregnant women are immunized against COVID-19.
News 8 spoke with Dr. Cameual Wright, market chief medical officer at CareSource. Wright says there are several risks to mom and baby if an infection happens.
“If a mom’s body isn’t functioning at its peak, then that can affect the health of that developing baby,” Wright said. “There have been miscarriages and stillbirths that have resulted from COVID-19 infections.”
In addition, Wright says, pregnant women who get the virus are at high risk of pre-eclampsia, a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication resulting in high blood pressure and kidney damage. A consequence of of pre-eclampsia, she continues, is early delivery. Premature babies tend to have weaker immune systems and feeding issues, and can develop chronic asthma. They are also at risk for sudden infant death syndrome.