What’s Right for You?

Information for expecting mothers about the coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines.

Pregnancy can be stressful. Pregnancy during a pandemic adds so many more layers of concern about what the coronavirus and vaccines could mean for expecting mothers and their babies. While pregnant women do not seem to be at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19[1], studies show they are at a higher risk of developing severe illness if they get COVID-19 while pregnant. 

But there is good news. Pregnant Women who have been vaccinated are less likely to develop serious complications from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for pregnant women. More than 200,000 expecting mothers have been vaccinated against COVID-19.[2]

Talk with your doctor about the COVID-19 vaccine to discuss what’s right for you and your baby.

How does the COVID-19 vaccine work in a pregnant mother?  
When given to a pregnant woman, the COVID-19 vaccine works in the muscle where the vaccine is given—it does not cross to the baby directly. The mother’s body recognizes the vaccine and makes antibodies that will be used to fight the virus if needed. The mother’s antibodies do cross the placenta through the bloodstream to the baby or are passed on to baby through breastmilk. This provides the baby some protection against the coronavirus in their first six months of life. 

This is also how the flu and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines work during pregnancy. Research shoes these vaccines are very effective in protecting newborns from these diseases.

Did you know: 

  • Mortality rates for pregnant women who are vaccinated against COVID-19 are much lower than those who have not received the vaccination. 

  • Women who receive the COVID-19 vaccine or booster during pregnancy are less likely to be at risk for infection and severe illness. [3]

  • Pregnant women who are vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to need intubation should they get coronavirus.

  • Vaccinated pregnant women are less likely to experience still- or pre-term births than those that have not received the COVID-19 vaccine. 

  • Pregnant women who are vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to develop preeclampsia.  

  • Pregnant women who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to develop severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, or suffer from HELLP syndrome. 

  • Receiving the mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine does not affect fertility nor raise your risk for miscarriage or still birth.[4]

By the Numbers:

  • 40%

    Unvaccinated pregnant COVID-19 patients are about 40 percent more likely to develop serious complications from the coronavirus. [5]

  • 22X

    Unvaccinated pregnant women are 22 times more likely to have a pre-term birth than those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. [6]

  • 2X

    The risk of stillbirth among pregnant women with COVID-19 is twice as high compared to uninfected patients. [7]

  • 15X

    Unvaccinated pregnant women are 15 times more likely to die from COVID-19. [6]

  • 14X

    Unvaccinated pregnant women are 14 times more likely to be intubated if they get COVID-19. [6]

  • 2X

    Pregnant women who get COVID-19 had an almost two-fold risk of preeclampsia. [8]

Impact on the Baby: 

  • In a study of more than 40,000 pregnant women, Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy was not associated with preterm or an infant small for their gestational age. [9]

  • Newborns of vaccinated mothers are lower risk for developing COVID-19 and being hospitalized. [10]

  • The coronavirus causes “widespread and severe” destruction of the placenta that deprives the fetus of oxygen.[11]

  • Vaccinated mothers that breastfeed can pass on COVID-19 antibodies, giving their babies passive immunity against the virus.[12]

Sources:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnant-people.html
[2] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/the-covid19-vaccine-and-pregnancy-what-you-need-to-know
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html?s_cid=10484:covid%20vaccine%20for%20pregnant:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY21
[4] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines-myth-versus-fact
[5] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2788985
[6] Chinn J, Sedighim S, Kirby KA, et al. Characteristics and Outcomes of Women With COVID-19 Giving Birth at US Academic Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(8):e2120456. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.20456
[7] https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/11/covid-19-tied-higher-risk-stillbirth-maternal-death
[8]  https://www.preeclampsia.org/covid-19#:~:text=That%20study%20found%20that%20pregnant,pregnant%20individuals%20without%20COVID%2D19
[9] Lipkind HS, Vazquez-Benitez G, DeSilva M, et al. Receipt of COVID-19 Vaccine During Pregnancy and Preterm or Small-for-Gestational-Age at Birth — Eight Integrated Health Care Organizations, United States, December 15, 2020–July 22, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:26–30. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7101e1
[10]  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/pregnancy-and-covid-19/art-20482639 
[11] https://meridian.allenpress.com/aplm/article/doi/10.5858/arpa.2022-0029-SA/477699/Placental-Tissue-Destruction-and-Insufficiency?searchresult=1
[12] https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2022/02000/Neutralizing_Antibodies_and_Cytokines_in_Breast.6.aspx