Methodist in the Media
Docs to Pregnant Nebraskans: Trust Us on Vaccine, Not Facebook Falsehoods
Published: Feb. 4, 2022
Pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely than other women their age to be hospitalized, need intensive care and be placed on a ventilator.
Mothers are at higher risk of developing HELLP Syndrome, a severe version of pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication that can cause high blood pressure and early delivery.
Babies are more likely to be born prematurely. These very premature babies struggle to breathe, eat and regulate their own temperature. They often spend weeks in intensive care.
Emily Patel, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Methodist, said that when she sees a patient very sick from COVID, it makes her more determined to help the next patient avoid that fate.
“I’ve got to prevent that next person from being this woman with a baby with a premature delivery,” Patel said. “If I can change the mind of one or two or a handful of people that can make a difference … and maybe prevent one person from being hospitalized. Then that will be a win.”
Flatwater Free Press: Docs to Pregnant Nebraskans: Trust Us on Vaccine, Not Facebook Falsehoods
