Although pregnant women are more at risk of severe COVID-19, their vaccination rates remain low. Only 35% have had a COVID-19 vaccination. A COVID-19 infection can lead to stillbirth, premature birth, and other complications during pregnancy. Patients infected by COVID-19 are more likely needing intensive care and hospitalization. They may require ventilators and special equipment.
This was the lesson Katie Leeming, a 22-year-old British mother, learned the hard way. Ivy-Rose, her daughter, was born 14 weeks prematurely at 2lb 30z. Katie developed COVID-19 symptoms in October. She began to experience heart palpitations and an increase in heart rate. Daily Mail.
The doctors told her that the baby’s heart rate was also not “where it needed to be” and they would need to deliver at only 26 weeks. Five-day-old Ivy Rose was diagnosed with COVID. Her heart rate and oxygen levels began to drop. Ivy Rose was removed from life support on October 22nd.
The mother initially refused the vaccination because of “horror stories” she had read on the Internet. She also stated that she believed there wasn’t enough research into the long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women and newborns. She still says she doesn’t regret not getting the vaccine.
“I could have still caught COVID-19 after the vaccination, or worse, if I did have it and something happened anyway, I would have blamed the vaccine,” Katie stated in an interview with the Daily Mail.
The Research Doesn’t Back This Up
According to the CDC, early data from safety monitoring systems didn’t find any safety concerns for pregnant people who received an mRNA COVID vaccine, either late in pregnancy or for their babies.
Experts have also not found an increase in miscarriage risk among women who received the mRNA COVID vaccination before or during pregnancy. To understand the effects on babies and pregnant women, the CDC continues monitoring vaccinated individuals in all trimesters.
Additionally, pregnant women who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can build antibodies to COVID-19 that could then be transferred to their baby. “Antibodies made after a pregnant person received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were found in umbilical cord blood. This means COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy might help protect babies against COVID-19,” per the CDC.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Is Not Supposed To Have Long-Term Side Effects
The long-term side effects of vaccines have been repeatedly proven to be very unlikely. The COVID-19 vaccine is no exception. CDC. Most side effects of vaccines have occurred within six weeks after receiving a dose.
The most common side effects from the COVID-19 vaccination include tenderness at the injection site, general tiredness and muscle pain. Most side effects will disappear within a few days, except for those who experience severe reactions.
Meanwhile, the long term side effects of contracting COVID-19 continue to developSome may last for months.