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Krefeld. What is the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for me and my unborn child? Should I get vaccinated against the virus as a pregnant woman? How does the birth go under the protective measures in place? There are many questions about the topic of corona, pregnancy and childbirth that will concern parents-to-be. Prof. Michael Friedrich, chief physician for gynecology and obstetrics at the Helios mother-child center, provides the answers.
Is there an increased likelihood of a corona infection during pregnancy?
Most corona diseases in pregnant women run largely without or only with mild symptoms. This is because pregnant women naturally belong to the younger age group. Especially in the first and second trimester, the probability of a severe course is around two percent. In the third trimester, the number increases slightly to around four percent. What exactly is the reason is still unclear. Compared to non-pregnant women of the same age, the risk of a severe course is slightly higher. This presumably also has to do with the double burden on the immune system, which has to protect two cycles here.
What are the risk factors associated with a corona infection during pregnancy?
According to the current state of science, transmission of the corona virus to the child via the placenta is very rare; for this, the virus would have to settle in the blood and in the placenta and dock on the child at the appropriate receptors. There have been isolated reports of infected newborns, but it is not always clear when the infection took place, i.e. before, during or after the birth. Neonatal infections are rarely symptomatic and the rate of infection is no higher if the child is born vaginally, is breast-fed, or remains with the mother. If there is actually a severe course of Covid during pregnancy, treatment is more and more difficult because the influence on the unborn child must always be taken into account when administering medication. If the mother’s lungs are severely affected and the oxygen supply in the blood drops as a result, this naturally also has an impact on the child. A caesarean section may be necessary here. Malformations in children due to the mother being infected with SARS-CoV2 during pregnancy are not known.
What are the current recommendations for a SARS-CoV2 vaccination during pregnancy?
The Standing Vaccination Commission of the Robert Koch Institute published current recommendations on the subject in January that do not recommend general vaccination during pregnancy. However, vaccination during an unknown pregnancy is not a reason for an abortion. Pregnant women with previous illnesses and a high risk of a severe course can even be offered a vaccination in individual cases after an individual risk-benefit assessment and after detailed information. Since the vaccines are not approved for pregnant women, at least initially, it is possible to name up to two close contact persons who should be vaccinated as a priority.
There are rumors that the vaccine is said to have an impact on fertility. What is known about this today?
It is claimed that the antibodies that are directed against the spike protein are also directed against structures of the placenta and thereby prevent pregnancy. It is true that the body’s own protein syncytin-1 and the spike protein of the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen have marginal similarities. But if the myth were true, women would be sterile even after a corona infection or there would be a risk for the existing pregnancy. Current studies show no evidence of this. It may also be important to know how the vaccination mechanism works: The mRNA vaccine contains the genetic information for the corona virus spike protein mentioned above. This information is introduced into the human cell, the protein is recreated and presented to the immune system. The mRNA is then broken down again within a very short time and not incorporated into human DNA, because it lies in the cell nucleus, remains untouched during this process and is not rewritten.
How is the preparation and birth currently going at the Helios mother-child center in Krefeld?
Unfortunately, many courses and meetings cannot yet take place in the usual way as face-to-face meetings due to the preventive measures. That is why our midwives team provides regular information in our digital stork club and is available by phone around the clock to answer any questions.
Before giving birth, all pregnant women receive a rapid test and a PCR test from us. If the test result is negative, you do not need to wear a mask during childbirth. In the case of expectant mothers with a positive corona test, we will make all the necessary preparations in consultation with the medical service and the midwife. In the delivery room, the partner or another accompanying person may be present at the birth. The prerequisite is that it is healthy and symptom-free and that the antigen test is negative. Unfortunately, it is not possible to change the accompanying person or leave the delivery room during the birth. Our family rooms are now available again for the first special days with three people. In connection with the necessary preventive measures, our top priority is to take worries away and to make the stay and the birth here in the mother-child center as pleasant as possible. We will of course stick to this in times of Corona.
The mother-child center invites you to the next digital stork meeting on Thursday, March 18 at 11 a.m. More information at www.helios-gesundheit.de/krefeld
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