New research suggests that cases of Covid-19 in pregnancy may “exhaust” the placenta and cause damage to its immune response.
The study was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in September, and saw 164 expectant mothers take part in the trial – 140 of whom had contracted coronavirus. A control group of 24 were uninfected.
Dr Kristina Adams Waldorf, the senior author of the study, said – according to The Independent: “What we’re seeing now is that the placenta is vulnerable to Covid-19, and the infection changes the way the placenta works, and that in turn is likely to impact the development of the foetus. ”
She added: “The disease may be mild, or it may be severe, but we’re still seeing these abnormal effects on the placenta. It seems that after contracting Covid-19 in pregnancy, the placenta is exhausted by the infection, and can’t recover its immune function. ”
The placenta is the organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, and delivers oxygen and nutrients from the body to the unborn baby. It also transports waste products, produces hormones to help the baby grow and passes on antibodies to help protect it.
Dr Waldorf Adams advised that pregnant women get vaccinated and boosted to protect them against Covid-19, and wear masks where appropriate.
There have been a number of studies looking at the effects of coronavirus on pregnant women, with some linking it to premature births, though she admitted it’s difficult to analyse the data in real time — and that different variants have different side effects.
The study also added that further research would be needed to monitor babies born to mothers who have contracted the coronavirus during pregnancy in order to see if there were any long-term effects.
GLAMOUR spoke with consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Penelope Law, part of the Luna Daily Collective – who had some reassuring comments about the latest findings.
“This is a very small piece of research compared to the evidence we already have, which is that, like any virus, there can be an effect on the placenta and foetus,” she said. “This study looked at 140 pregnant women who had had covid, and only five of them had any placental evidence of minfection — that is equal to about a 3% chance of any noticeable histological placental change, which is a very low chance. ”
She added: “Of those five, only one showed an increased immune response (i. e. the body responding to retaliate against the virus). The other four showed that the placenta did not mount an immune challenge which is actually a positive as the placenta is an organ designed not to mount such a challenge in order not to reject the ‘foreign’ foetus in the process. So generally, most — i. e. 135 out of 140 — showed no placental change. ”
“I think the effects of mild covid on the foetus are not such that should worry pregnant women – particularly those who have received all vaccinations offered. The complications of prematurity have mainly arisen in women with severe symptoms who have needed early delivery in order to improve their own covid symptoms – not because covid itself has caused prematurity.
“Women can protect themselves best by taking up the vaccinations offered and thus avoiding covid infection as far as possible — and continuing to use hand sanitiser, whilst distancing themselves from people who have symptoms. They should contact their midwife or obstetrician if they are concerned they are becoming unwell. ”
As Dr Law says, NHS guidelines currently state that pregnant people should try to be vigilant about Covid-19, and make sure they are vaccinated and boosted. If you do contract coronavirus while pregnant you should contact your midwife or maternity team for advice. Before taking any medicine, including painkillers, check with your pharmacist, midwife or GP that it’s suitable.
