Early on, we health care providers thought that pregnancy was in some way protective from severe covid. Now, we know better. Research has shown that contracting COVID while you are pregnant is associated with extremely higher rates of deaths, preeclampsia, high blood pressure, preterm birth, and infections. In fact, pregnant women are more than 22 times likely of dying from COVID than women who are not pregnant.
COVID while pregnant was associated with a very high risk of illnesses and death in women during postpartum especially if the mom has COVID systems. Pregnant women have been shown to experience long-term effects otherwise know as a long-hauler effect.
Also, COVID during pregnancy could put your baby at a much higher risk of bad things happening, which the studies called poor outcomes. Poor outcomes during pregnancy are nothing new among Black Americans and have little to do with socioeconomic status. For example, Sirenia Williams had complications during the birth of her child and almost lost her life.
Not to scare you, but you need to know that Black women are three times more like to have complications in pregnancy than white women, according to the Center for Disease Control. How could this be? I created the Mother-Baby Daddy blog to change the medical system one person at a time.
New data is out that strongly suggests that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are safe for pregnant women. Click here for more information.
You need to advocate for yourself and know when exactly what to do if you have complications. You need to know what to ask your doctor for and if you can’t get it, find out the reason. You need to build a good relationship with your doctor or consider getting another doctor early on.
The Mother Baby Daddy podcast, Youtube channel, and Blog will give you the information you need to discuss your options with your doctor. When you are able to get all your questions answered it will help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy and happy baby.
I have been so overwhelmed lately with completing clinical hours for academic requirements that I have not had time to post timely. This will change. You will get a post consistently every week sharing all you need to know to be your own advocate.
Ask your doctor about getting the COVID-19 vaccine and make sure daddy asks his doctor as well to be advised as to what’s best for you and your family. It might make a difference in staying healthy.