getting covid in the third trimester could lead to a premature baby
according to new research, people who had covid towards the end of their pregnancy were seven times more likely to have preterm births.
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study finds that women who got covid in their third trimester — from 27 weeks on — were a full seven times more likely to give birth preterm. getty
people who contract covid towards the end of their pregnancy may be more likely to have babies born prematurely, according to a new study published in the journal plos one — but the risk of pregnancy loss isn’t any higher. researchers used anonymous data from maccabi healthcare services in israel from 2,753 women who contracted the virus during pregnancy and another 2,753 pregnant women who didn’t have covid. every woman in the study was pregnant with a single baby — no twins — between feb. 2020 and july 2021, and was matched up with a woman of similar age and socioeconomic status in the other group.
they found that women who got sick during their first or second trimester — up until 26 weeks of pregnancy — were 2.76 times more likely than pregnant women without covid to experience preterm birth. but women who got sick in their third trimester — from 27 weeks on — were a full seven times more likely to give birth preterm.
the study found that most other pregnancy markers remained fairly similar, whether or not the expectant mother had covid. the rates of child loss were about the same, as were the rates of caesarean sections.
“the results are encouraging and reassuring that covid-19 infection during pregnancy is not associated with any type of pregnancy loss,” said dr. tal patalon, one of the study’s authors. “however, it should be remembered that the research group tested the covid pre-delta variants, and does not refer to the dominant variant today, which is omicron. we continue to conduct research to provide real-world data and knowledge to the public and decision-makers.”
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a birth is considered preterm when a baby is born before 37 weeks (about nine months) of pregnancy. premature babies face a host of potential health problems, the cdc explains, given that organs like the brain, lungs and liver usually develop in the final weeks of pregnancy. babies born before 32 weeks (eight months) of pregnancy have higher rates of death and disability. premature babies may also have problems breathing and feeding, as well as hearing or vision problems. there’s also an increased risk of developmental delay.
some things that can be very detrimental to a baby in early pregnancy, like alcohol, are much less risky in moderation towards the end of the pregnancy. but patalon said that given the study’s results, it makes sense for pregnant people to exercise caution towards covid even until the very end of their pregnancy.
there haven’t been many studies examining the results of covid during pregnancy. but according to health canada, people who contract the virus while pregnant are more at risk of severe outcomes if they do get sick. the covid vaccine is recommended to anyone who’s pregnant or planning to get pregnant soon — while conspiracy theorists have spread the message that it’s harmful, health canada confirms that getting the vaccine while pregnant is the safest option for parent and child. there’s also no evidence of the vaccine has any effect on miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or any other negative aspect related to fertility or pregnancy.
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maija kappler is a reporter and editor at healthing. you can reach her at mkappler@postmedia.com
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