From that moment on, gynecologist Sam Schoenmakers sends all placentas of women who have had corona in the first and second wave to pathologists who put the placenta under the microscope. 5 of the 36 placentas under the magnifying glass show dead cells, hardening and foreign immune cells. The mothers were not sick and ultrasounds showed nothing unusual.
The coronavirus can therefore leave a ‘signature’ on the placenta unnoticed, conclude researchers from Erasmus MC and LUMC (Leiden) as the first in the world.
Oxygen deficiency
“The placenta ensures the exchange of substances, such as oxygen, between mother and child and protects the fetus against diseases,” explains gynecologist Schoenmakers. “If the cells of the placenta die due to a coronavirus infection, the system becomes blocked. This can lead to oxygen deprivation, extreme distress or even death of the child.”
The fact that the mothers themselves are hardly ill and do not feel when the placenta is affected makes it very difficult to estimate which women are at risk.
After this research, Schoenmakers also advises expectant mothers to get vaccinated. “It helps to prevent corona infection and to protect yourself and your unborn child.”
Furthermore, it is recommended to monitor the movements of the child in the abdomen from 30 weeks. A baby that has enough oxygen and nutrition moves a lot for a number of periods every day. Within an hour, he should kick, twist, or slide at least ten times. If that is the case, the mother does not have to worry for 24 hours, says Erasmus MC.
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