Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we think about our personal health and safety. Research articles into the acute effects of COVID-19 are coming out every month, and new investigatory focus has largely shifted to the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection. However, a large gap in the literature remains: impact of COVID-19 infection on pregnant people. This gap includes best practices in perinatal and postnatal care for mothers infected with COVID-19. This report aims to provide general health and safety information on COVID-19 infection for pregnant people, as well as resources and legislation that may help in managing the financial aspects of COVID-19 infection.
Health & Safety
The CDC reports “pregnant and recently pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19—including illness that requires hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator or special equipment to breathe, or results in death—compared with nonpregnant people. Additionally, pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk for preterm birth and might be at increased risk for other poor pregnancy outcomes.” It is recommended that all people over age 12 receive the COVID-19 vaccine, including people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. There have been almost zero cases of COVID-19 infection with severe symptoms amongst vaccinated pregnant women.
Though the COVID-19 vaccine itself cannot penetrate the placenta, newborn infants may still receive COVID-19 antibodies through either antibodies that have traveled through the placenta or the vaccinated parent’s breast milk. Children under age two cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Fortunately, it is very difficult to transmit COVID-19 to a newborn infant, even if the mother is carrying the virus and/or unvaccinated. In the known cases where infants have contracted COVID-19, only one case did not recover.
COVID-19 infection is far more dangerous for the pregnant parent than it is for the infant, especially if the pregnant parent is unvaccinated. There have been many heart-breaking stories about the severe symptoms faced by unvaccinated pregnant people who contract COVID-19, including weeks-long hospital stays and pregnancy complications.
Data on birth and infant outcomes from mothers with COVID-19 can be found at the link here.
Hospital Protocols
When pregnant parents are admitted to the hospital to give birth, they receive a rapid COVID-19 test regardless of vaccination status. Those who test positive are placed in isolation rooms, either in the ICU or elsewhere depending on hospital room availability. Though the isolation rooms maintain full COVID protocol, partners may still be present for the birth. After birth, parent and baby remain in the hospital for at least two days where they are re-tested and monitored for symptoms. If both appear healthy, they are released and instructed to quarantine for two weeks.
Legislation
On the federal level, maternity needs during the pandemic have only been minimally addressed by our legislative leaders. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) required some employers to provide paid sick leave or family and medical leave specifically related to COVID-19, which included extending these types of leave to workers who were unable to find childcare for their minor dependents. However these provisions expired after December 31, 2020, and have yet to be renewed or extended.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provided additional employer tax credits for paid leave that employers voluntarily provided to their employees, but only through March 31, 2021. This bill did not place any requirements on employers to participate. It did, at least, provision funds for maternal care for patients within the Indian Health Services through September 30.
But ever since April of this year, there have been no additional protections for workers who are pregnant or who are on parental leave, regardless of the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to ravage the workforce nationwide. Although some states have enacted their own laws to provide resources for employers and employees, the need for federal legislation is clearly evidenced by the number of workers who are still falling through the cracks and struggling to survive after losing wages, housing, and health coverage.
Resources & Support
If you are pregnant and test positive for COVID-19, seek non-emergency medical attention as soon as possible. Inform your obstetrician/gynecologist about any current or prior COVID-19 infections so they may better monitor the health of you and your child.
There are many federal social programs you may be eligible for. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Families, and Children (WIC) is currently providing additional resources for families affected by COVID-19. The standard Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“food stamps”) is also available. When speaking with an eligibility consultant, be sure to ask if you are eligible for any other programs.
Head Start services is a special federal child care program for children between ages 3 and 5 with varying needs. Locate more child care opportunities here.
Information regarding COVID-19 and pregnancy, as well as links to online support groups can be found at the link here.
Please contact your local city, state, or tribal health department for latest information about safety precautions and regulations as well as community resources.