COVID-19 and Childbirth: Examining the Impact and Safety of Vaccines
Introduction
The world was plunged into chaos when COVID-19 emerged as a global pandemic in February 2020. The virus has not only affected the health of millions of people but also drastically altered their way of life. As of 2021, over 250 million people have been infected with COVID-19, and more than 5 million have lost their lives. This includes a significant number of pregnant women and newborn babies. In this blog, we will delve into the impact of the pandemic on childbirth and examine the truth about the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women.
Here is a real-life story:
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the United States, taking the lives of more than half a million people, Mary, a long-serviced U.S certified nurse, and midwife working at the Women's Health Clinic, held off on getting vaccinated. Despite the growing death toll and her own front-line role in the healthcare system, Mary couldn't shake her doubts about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
But as she planned a visit to see her 3-year-old grandchild in another state, Mary received a shocking message from her daughter. "Sorry, Mom," her daughter wrote, "we don't want to see you until you are fully vaccinated for COVID."
Mary was taken aback. She had never imagined that her own family would want to keep her at arm's length due to her unvaccinated status. But as she thought about the risks of exposing her grandchild to the virus, Mary realized the gravity of the situation.
The next day, Mary made an appointment to get her COVID-19 vaccine, free of any resistance or hesitation. As she received the shot and thought about the joy of seeing her grandchild again, Mary knew she had made the right decision.
First, let's talk about COVID and its disastrous impact on human health.
COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It primarily affects the lungs but can also have severe effects on other organs and systems such as the heart, kidney, liver, brain, and immune system. People with pre-existing chronic health conditions are at an increased risk of hospitalization and need intensive care.
Pregnant women are also at a higher risk for complications from COVID-19. The virus can cross the placenta and lead to severe illness for both mother and baby. Pregnant women, particularly those with underlying medical conditions, are at an increased risk of complications such as miscarriage, preterm birth, infection, preeclampsia, thrombosis, stillbirth, maternal death, and neonatal death. It is important for pregnant women to take precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19 and to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms or have been exposed to the virus.
Second, let's talk about COVID vaccines and vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccines are a crucial tool in ending the pandemic and saving lives. Scientists from around the world have worked together to develop safe and effective vaccines, including mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and non-live COVID vaccines. The launch of these vaccines in early 2021 brought hope for an end to restrictive measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and travel restrictions.
Currently, many countries have achieved high vaccination rates, with nearly 60% of the population fully vaccinated in the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. However, this vaccination rate does not extend to pregnant women. Despite the increased risks of complications from COVID-19 infection during childbirth, only 15-25% of pregnant women have been fully vaccinated in these countries. It's important to note that vaccine safety and efficacy have been proven in pregnant and lactating women, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks.
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Third, let's examine the safety of COVID vaccines for pregnant women and their babies.
Pregnancy brings many physiological changes to a woman's body which can make them more vulnerable to infections, including severe respiratory diseases like COVID-19. As the baby grows in the uterus, the mother's lungs have less room to expand, making it more difficult to clear infections. Studies have shown that pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 infection and have a higher risk of complications during childbirth, such as preterm birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, preeclampsia, thrombosis, and maternal death. They are 70% more likely to die from COVID-related infections than non-pregnant individuals.
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 20% of pregnant women required hospitalization and medical treatment for COVID-19 symptoms. 1-4% of their newborns were also infected with COVID-19. The maternal mortality rate for COVID-19 among pregnant women is 0.7%. Almost all of these women were not vaccinated.
It's important to note that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines and do not contain live viruses, and have been tested to be safe for pregnant women and unborn babies. In the U.S., more than 200,000 pregnant women have received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine without any reported safety concerns.
It's important for pregnant women to know the importance, safety, and efficacy of mRNA vaccines for pregnant women. As more studies continue to reinforce the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women, it's important for them to consider vaccination to protect themselves and their unborn children from the severe illness and death caused by COVID-19.
Recent studies have shown that pregnant women who receive COVID-19 vaccines can pass a significant amount of antibodies to their newborns, providing protection against coronavirus infection. A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that newborns received 100% of the antibodies from the vaccinated mother during pregnancy.
Additionally, scientists have found that mRNA vaccines do not pose any harm to breastfeeding babies, as the vaccines do not pass into breast milk. The mother's body can quickly break down the mRNA vaccine after receiving it, allowing her immune system to rapidly produce antibodies to protect both herself and her baby through her breast milk. This means that breastfeeding babies receive the most powerful antibodies in their systems, protecting them from the coronavirus.
It's important for pregnant and breastfeeding women to consult with their healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccination and to make an informed decision about their own health and the health of their newborns.
What kind of messages that pregnant women receive during the pandemic?
The data shows that pregnant women are among the most hesitant populations to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In the United States, only 25% of pregnant women have been fully vaccinated compared to 67% of individuals over the age of 12. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, only 15% of pregnant women have been fully vaccinated compared to 79% of other individuals.
The nurse in the story at the beginning of this blog initially refused to get vaccinated for various reasons. She may have had doubts about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, or she may have had concerns about the potential side effects. However, when her daughter refused to see her until she was fully vaccinated, she got vaccinated the next day. It's possible that she changed her beliefs about COVID vaccines as a result of this experience and recognized the importance of vaccination in protecting herself and her loved ones.
As a healthcare provider, the nurse would likely deliver a clear message to her pregnant patients about the importance and safety of COVID vaccines. She would likely advise them to consult with their healthcare provider and make an informed decision about their own health and the health of their unborn child.
In the U.K., pregnant women may have received unclear messages across the healthcare service, causing confusion and hesitancy among them. In New Zealand, some midwives may have chosen to resign from work due to the mandatory vaccination order, despite the severe shortage of midwives in the country during the pandemic. It's important for healthcare providers and governments to communicate clearly about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and to address concerns and misinformation to increase vaccination rates among pregnant women.
Introduce global collective messages on COVID vaccinations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that COVID-19 vaccination is safe for pregnant women, and they may even receive additional benefits for their babies. WHO also recommends that breastfeeding mothers be vaccinated against COVID-19 and continue to breastfeed their babies after being vaccinated.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) recommends that pregnant women be given priority for COVID-19 vaccination and be offered the vaccine at any stage of their pregnancy. RANZCOG also recommends that all healthcare workers, including doctors and midwives in Australia and New Zealand, be vaccinated to protect themselves, their patients, and their babies. In New Zealand, the government has implemented a mandatory vaccination order for all workers in the health and disability sector, and failure to comply can result in professional disciplinary action.
In Singapore, the government has decided not to provide financial assistance for COVID-19 patients who are not vaccinated, including pregnant women.
In the United States, there is no mandatory vaccination order from the government, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) encourage and recommend that women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering having children get vaccinated to protect themselves and their babies.
Action time for everyone, especially for pregnant women and healthcare providers.
In the early stages of the pandemic, there was limited information available about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women, as initial research trials for COVID-19 vaccines did not include pregnant women. It is understandable that pregnant women were confused and concerned and needed more information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccination. However, over a year since the mRNA vaccines were tested, there is now more evidence to show the safety and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines for pregnant women. These vaccines have not been found to be associated with infertility, miscarriage, or teratogenicity. Studies have also shown that when women are vaccinated, the antibodies can pass to their babies through the umbilical cord, providing a high level of protection against COVID-19 infection for the newborn.
It's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the risks of COVID-19 infection and the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women and to provide clear and accurate information to their patients. If healthcare providers do not provide clear and accurate information, more pregnant women will be confused and unsupported, more pregnant women will be at risk of COVID-19 and COVID-related complications during childbirth, and more mothers and newborns will die from COVID-19.
It is clear that one shot does cover two.
Childbirth is a unique and critical life event, and the birth experience for the woman and her family is essential. When a pregnant woman tests positive for COVID-19, she often faces the risk of requiring hospital admission and medical intervention due to COVID-related complications during childbirth. This can lead to a difficult and isolating experience, where she is physically and emotionally separated from her family and support system. The initial bonding and joyful experience with her newborn baby are significantly diminished.
It's crucial for pregnant women to pay extra attention to their wellness and the health of their babies during the pandemic. Getting vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine as early as possible can help protect them, their babies, and their families. It's also crucial for all healthcare workers on the frontlines, including doctors, nurses, and midwives, to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their clients, and the community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has had a significant impact on everyone's lives over the past two years, and the fight against the virus is not over, particularly as new strains like the Delta variant are on the rise in many countries. To ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines, it's crucial to prioritize the most vulnerable populations, including pregnant women. We now have a wealth of data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and it's important to remember that vaccination is a crucial tool in the fight against the pandemic. Vaccines alone will not end the pandemic, but widespread vaccination is crucial to controlling the spread of the virus and protecting public health.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafepregnancyregistry.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines
https://ranzcog.edu.au/statements-guidelines/covid-19-statement/covid-19-vaccination-information
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/10/nhs-encourages-pregnant-women-to-get-covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert#current-status
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding#:~:text=ACOG recommends that all pregnant,COVID-19 than nonpregnant women.
