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Since the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic, there has been an explosion of cases and exponential growth in understanding the virulence and characteristic of this disease. Countries have been updating their Covid guidelines in accordance with new data. On 13th May, the Union Health Ministry and Family Welfare issued new guidelines allowing both pregnant women and lactating mothers to get Covid-19 vaccines by just registering and walking into the nearest hospital or a vaccination center. This was a much-awaited decision and was welcomed openly by many medical experts. But still many expecting mothers are reluctant to take the shot.
Urging pregnant women to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as possible, Dr Shivani Sabharwal, Gynaecologist and senior consultant, Apollo Spectra, Karol Bagh, Delhi, has shared some benefits of Covid-19 vaccination in pregnant women.
Just as in the general population, Covid has an asymptomatic and mild course for most pregnant women. But compared to non-pregnant women, those who are pregnant are more likely to be hospitalized.
"Pregnant women are at an 8% risk of getting severe disease which is different from the general population. But, if we compare pregnant women to non-pregnant women, pregnant women have increased chances of hospitalization. This is so because the uterus gets enlarged during pregnancy and there is a lifting of the diaphragm which makes the lungs more prone to congestion. So, there are increased chances of pneumonia and ICU admissions too. Also, pregnant women are at a greater risk of suffering from preeclampsia especially those who are already hypertensive women. This increases chances of intrauterine growth restriction, or IUGR decreased fluid around the baby that is oligohydramnios, prematurity, and caesarean sections. Though, the evidence suggests there is no increased risk of abortion, intrauterine death, or any excessive bleeding," said Dr Sabharwal.
The risk of pregnant women having more severe symptoms is higher in women who are obese, have blood pressure, cardiac disorder, diabetes, asthma, history of thrombosis, or a renal disorder, she noted.
It has been more than a year that the country is bearing the brunt of Coronavirus. For a pregnant woman, there are three concerns about Covid-19:
"All of these are genuine concerns and that is the reason why all pregnant women should be vaccinated to have a safe outcome. The second wave affected a lot of people. If we are vaccinated then we can prevent any further waves," asserted Dr Sabharwal.
India launched the massive vaccination drive on January 16, 2021, but pregnant women and lactating mothers were not eligible initially. After a lot of research on this vaccination and study on pregnant women, worldwide, it was found that this vaccination is very safe.
"The vaccine is the only tool to halt or slow down the progress of this virus. The vaccine given for Covid contains a dead virus. This is safe in pregnancy; only a live attenuated vaccine is contraindicated," the Gynaecologist explained.
Covishield, Covaxin, and Sputnik all these types of vaccines that are available in India contain dead viruses and thus are safe in pregnancy. So, go for the one available at the nearest vaccination center and get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Vaccination can reduce the risk of complications that happen during pregnancy, and the morbidity and mortality of Covid-19 in pregnant women. "When a pregnant woman gets vaccinated, she not only reduces her risk of infection and transmission, she is also able to reduce the risk of severe acute morbidity and mortality of self and long-term effects to go down. Also, protected antibodies are transferred to the baby that is much-needed protection," said Dr Sabharwal.
She continued, "There is enough literature that has shown that pregnant women showed a robust immune response and protective antibodies when they were given the vaccines. Antibodies were isolated in the cord blood and the breast milk. This confirms protection to the foetus and the newborn. One must understand the ratio of potential benefit and the risk of vaccine versus the disease. The risk of disease is much higher than the theoretical risk of vaccines. A lot of data supporting the benefits of vaccines is being approved by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, but also by The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and the WHO."
However, she opined that expecting mothers should be given thorough counselling to explain the advantages of this vaccine so that they can make a well-counselled and empowered decision.
Dr Sabharwal also pointed out a few things pregnant women should keep in mind before and after inoculation.
In addition, pregnant women should not forget the basic principles of Covid hygiene that is social distancing, hand washing, keeping the mouth covered, wearing a mask while stepping out of the house, watching for early Covid signs, eating healthy, drinking plenty of fluids, regular telecommunication with the doctors.