ZWOLLE – Gynecologist Joost Bosma of Isala has an urgent message for everyone who is pregnant or would like to become pregnant. That is, get vaccinated against COVID. Joost: ‘In one week I had to have three pregnant women admitted to the ICU. That meant a lot to me, hence this cry from the heart.’
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Joost and primary care obstetrician Annemarie Gaasbeek understand that there is doubt among pregnant women. Joost: ‘As a pregnant woman you want to protect your child. Women already do this by not eating, smoking and drinking alcohol. Moreover, in the beginning we were reluctant to give a corona vaccination to pregnant women.’ ‘That’s what makes it so confusing’, adds Annemarie. ‘There is also a lot of information on the internet that is not always correct. That is why it is so important to talk to your midwife. Share your doubts and ask your questions. Many of my clients do this, but I also ask myself whether they consider a vaccination. I am never directive of this you must do. It is just so important to stay right next to your client. If you talk to each other on an equal level, it has much more effect.’
Supplemental oxygen
At the beginning of the pandemic, hardly any pregnant women with corona were hospitalized. Joost: ‘The turning point came around the summer when the delta variant of the virus became dominant. Since that time, we have seen more and more seriously ill pregnant women in the ward. In addition, there is currently a real baby boom in the Netherlands. That makes it extremely busy in the Obstetrics department. We have freed up part of the department (a cohort) for pregnant women with corona. The care for these women is heavier. Some women need extra oxygen. That is new to us, but luckily we can always ask for help from the colleagues of the corona department in the hospital. Everyone always gets the best possible care, but I am very moved to see that initially healthy pregnant women can become so ill. While there is protection. I don’t want to make anyone feel guilty. I do want pregnant women and women who want to have children have the right information.’
When in doubt
Persistent rumors are that you would become infertile from the corona vaccination or that you are more likely to have a miscarriage. ‘This is not true’, say Joost and Annemarie. ‘By taking the jab you actually reduce the chance of a premature birth. Your pregnancy suppresses your immune system to tolerate the pregnancy. We think that is why pregnant women can get so sick from corona if they are not vaccinated. In addition, your belly grows, making it less easy to breathe. That, in combination with a corona infection, can cause a lot of problems.’ Then there is also research into (corona) infections in the placenta of women whose babies died. Joost: ‘More research is needed before we can really say anything about it. It is a signal that COVID may pose even more dangers for pregnant women. If in doubt, contact your midwife. ‘Annemarie: ‘We also get questions about it in practice. It causes unrest, while we don’t know everything yet. Talk to your midwife if you have any questions. I notice that vaccinating or not can be very sensitive. Still, I’ll continue the conversation. I see an important role for us as midwives in this.’
More information about vaccinating during your pregnancy can be found on the Kennisnet maternity care website.
(Source: Isala.nl)
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