Pregnancy and Covid-19 |28 January 2022
“In Seychelles, there are approximately 2000 pregnant women per year (National Bureau of Statistics) on a total population of just under 99,000 people. It is a non-negligible part of the population that is exposed to Covid-19.”
This was said by Loréa Rassool, independent midwife and founder of ‘Loréa Sage-femme’ midwifery practice. In the following interview, Mrs Rassool shares with us her knowledge and advice about pregnancy and Covid-19.
Seychelles NATION: What are the studies regarding pregnant women and Covid-19 showing?
Loréa Rassool: Pregnant women do not seem to be at a higher risk of catching Covid-19 than any other person in the population. However, studies have shown an increased risk of developing severe Covid-19 if they are infected, compared with non-pregnant women of a similar age.
We are starting to see more and more studies on Covid-19 and the consequences on pregnant women, their foetus and their newborn. Today we know that compared to a pregnant woman non-infected by Covid-19 at the same term, a pregnant woman who is Covid-19 positive has:
- 18 times more risk to get admitted to Intensive Care Unit
- 2.8 times more risk to have a still birth
- 5 times more risk for her newborn to get admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (statistics from Collège National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens Français {CNGOF}.
As published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), pregnant women with Covid-19 may have:
- an increased risk of pre-eclampsia (a serious blood pressure disorder)
- an increased risk of coagulopathy (a blood clotting disorder)
Covid-19 affects the foetus and the newborn in different ways:
- Increase of preterm delivery with all the risk of prematurity
- More still birth
- More admission in NICU
- More risk of caesareans
All these risks are even higher if the person has comorbidities such as obesity, high blood pressure, immune problems, asthma or diabetes for example.
As for the United Kingdom (UK) Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS), studies and research are still ongoing to monitor the effect of Covid-19 on pregnant women and their babies.
In November 2021, one study done by Dr Sophia Stoecklein in Munich, did MRI on 33 pregnant women to monitor their foetus’ brain. The MRI scans showed “normal age-appropriate brain development” in all cases, and “there were no findings indicative of infection of the foetal brain”. The study was done on women who were around 28 weeks pregnant and who had mild cases of Covid-19, and whose conditions did not require any hospitalisation.
Seychelles NATION: Talk to us a bit about the Covid-19 vaccine and pregnant women.
Loréa Rassool: Today, in Seychelles the vaccine is available for every person who wishes to take it. Pregnant women can get vaccinated at any time during pregnancy or while breastfeeding with the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine (WHO, CNGOF, ACOG, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada…).They can get advice and information from their healthcare provider.
Seychelles NATION: If a pregnant woman has Covid-19, will it spread to the baby during pregnancy?
Loréa Rassool: Studies for now have shown that the virus cannot go through the placenta. From all the studies, only a few newborns tested positive after delivery, and it is unclear if they got the virus, before, during or after birth.
Seychelles NATION: During this pandemic, what can pregnant women expect to happen when they go into labour?
Loréa Rassool: A pregnant woman that needs to be admitted at the hospital is tested forCovid-19 upon admission. She will have a rapid test done and a PCR if necessary. If she is positive for Covid-19, she will be cared for in an area within the maternity unit that is just for pregnant women with Covid-19.
A pregnant woman who comes to give birth is allowed to have one person with her in the labour room. The birth partner needs to wear a mask and should not have any symptoms of Covid-19. The partner won’t be allowed to leave the room until the baby is born.
After that, when the patient is transferred to postnatal, the partner has to leave. If the birth partner has symptoms or has been asked to self-isolate, this person will not be able to come with her.
Seychelles NATION: As a midwife, what is your personal point of view regarding pregnant women and Covid-19?
Loréa Rassool: As a midwife, I see cases of Covid-19 every day at the maternity and the cases are rising since a few weeks. Often, the pregnant women are not vaccinated; they say that they did not know they could get vaccinated, or declare that they were waiting for the birth of their child to do so. (Unfortunately I could not find the rate of vaccinated pregnant women in Seychelles).
In many cases, their labour has to be induced or they have to have a C-section, as we know that it will be safer for them and their baby. As the statistics say, the medical complications are important when the patient is Covid-19 positive.
We need to be careful as medical staff while taking care of them to make sure that we do not spread the infection. We need to monitor them closely, more closely than if they did not have Covid-19, as we know that their risks of complications are higher. For some patients, their medical condition deteriorates rapidly. This is why they need to be careful and get tested as soon as they feel symptoms. They have to inform their healthcare provider as soon as they test positive.
Seychelles NATION: You mentioned that you have a few stories from pregnant women who had Covid-19. Can you share some of these with us?
Loréa Rassool: We managed to talk to a pregnant lady who is 16 weeks into her pregnancy, after spending 10 days in a medical facility because she tested positive and was symptomatic; she wanted to give us her story:
“I was surprised because I did not know that pregnant women were so much more at risk. I knew that vaccination was important to protect us, that’s why I got vaccinated. I know someone who has lost her baby because her pregnancy had to be terminated to save her. I had fever, headaches, body ache and a cough, but I had no idea that my lungs were damaged. I would tell everyone to get vaccinated, especially if you are pregnant. I am not sure how I would be if I was not.”
Another lady tested positive 28 weeks into her pregnancy after a few days of having high fever, cough, body ache, headaches:
“For 2 to 3 days I had very high fever and panadol was not working that well. My body was aching so much that I could barely walk. One week after my symptoms started I still have a runny nose and a bad cough and I am still tired. I was worried for the baby, now I feel better. I am not vaccinated and even though I have been sick and a friend of mine had a premature delivery because of Covid-19, I don’t regret not taking the vaccine. I am now considering about taking it later.”
It is fundamental that people get their information from reliable sources and if they are not sure, they need to ask their healthcare professionals. Pregnant ladies are vulnerable, they need to protect themselves and continue to stay healthy, active and follow public health measures.
For more information, contact Loréa Sage-femme:
- Facebook: @loreasagefemme
- Instagram: @loreasagefemme
- Email: loreasf@gmail.com
- Telephone/WhatsApp: 00 248 2510 155
F.P.
