'Vaccine Is Our Strongest Barrier': Methodist OB/GYN Talks COVID-19 Impact on Pregnant Women

The delta variant of COVID-19 is impacting people much more than other variants. That goes for children, toddlers and expecting mothers. Methodist OB/GYN Dr. Tifany Somer-Shely sat down with KETV to talk about how COVID-19 can impact pregnancies and how you can protect yourself.

Dr. Somer-Shely said she's seeing more COVID-19 complications among pregnant women.

"Moms get sick and clearly their sickness, not only can the virus cross the placenta, but when their oxygen levels are low, then they have a hard time oxygenating their fetus, and as a result, then we see more preterm births of babies born to moms with COVID, or NICU admissions," Dr. Somer-Shely said.

She said the delta variant is adding to the danger after moms give birth.

"We're hearing case reports of small newborns infants, small toddlers getting COVID pneumonia, which, you know, normally wasn't seen, until teenage adolescence, early 20s," Dr. Somer-Shely said.

She said the best thing pregnant women can do is get the vaccine. She pointed to studies that show the protection extends into the womb.

"It turns out that if a pregnant mom gets a vaccine, during her pregnancy she actually can pass antibody protection to that baby through the placenta at a higher rate than if she were to get sick during pregnancy," Dr. Somer-Shely said.

KETV: 'Vaccine Is Our Strongest Barrier': Methodist OB/GYN Talks COVID-19 Impact on Pregnant Women