The decision to start or grow your family is never an easy one. Throw in the first global pandemic in nearly a century, and there’s even more to think about. If you’re pondering this decision, you’re not alone. Dr. Chantel Roedner, an OB/GYN with WakeMed Physician Practices – OB/GYN says it’s a question she’s heard a lot over the past year.

“Patients have a lot of questions about pregnancy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and that’s to be expected. They want to know if it’s safe, how the pandemic might affect their pregnancy and delivery experience, whether or not to get vaccinated, the list goes on. We are still learning about the coronavirus and how it affects individuals, particularly pregnant women, and there’s a lot we still don’t know. As a provider, my role is to provide my patients with information based on the evidence and literature we have available to us, and to help them evaluate any and all risks they might be facing so they can make an informed decision.”

Pregnancy Decisions and COVID-19 Data

For couples trying to decide whether or not to take the leap to start a family, Dr. Roedner talks patients through all of their questions and concerns, just as she does during non-pandemic times. “Just like with a normal pregnancy, I counsel those patients with certain risk factors such as hypertension, obesity and/or asthma to do their best to get those conditions under control before becoming pregnant – but this is particularly important to consider with COVID-19.” Dr. Roedner also helps her patients understand that visitation during delivery and after may be limited, which can be difficult for new parents who want to share the experience with extended family and friends. She also encourages patients to think about things like childcare, which can be a big decision during a pandemic.

As it relates to COVID-19, Dr. Roedner shares that current data suggests pregnant women have a higher risk of more severe disease from COVID-19 than nonpregnant women. COVID-19 may also increase a woman’s risk of preterm labor and preterm birth. Finally, while transmission of COVID-19 to a fetus is rare, the risk is not zero.

With this said, Dr. Roedner says their busy practice hasn’t seen anything too alarming over the past year. “We’ve certainly had a small number of pregnant patients test positive for COVID-19, but just like the general population, most tend to just experience fever, body aches, cough and loss of taste or smell. However, since pregnancy increases their risk of virus severity, we go over precautions with these patients and educate them on what to watch for throughout the duration of their illness.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Pregnancy

With vaccination efforts underway across the state, many women who are trying to conceive, pregnant or lactating look to their OB/GYN for advice on whether or not to get the vaccine. “The American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine have clearly stated that these women should be offered vaccines as experts believe they should be safe. Early vaccine trials did not include pregnant women, and data regarding long term outcomes will not be available for some time, but this is a decision that each individual will have to make on her own as she weighs the risks and benefits,” Dr. Roedner explains.

“In our practice, we do not encourage people to delay getting their vaccines if they are trying to conceive, and we also don’t recommend patients avoid their second dose if they find out they are in the early stages of pregnancy. Many women consider waiting to start the vaccination series until after 12 weeks or pregnancy, when the risk of miscarriage decreases.”

What to Expect During Pregnancy

The good news is that Dr. Roedner’s practice has been mostly “business as usual” since the pandemic began. Patients have mostly continued to see their providers in the office, although certain check-ins can be handled via telehealth for those who prefer them.

“While we’ve had a few patients who have chosen to delay starting their family due to COVID-19, we haven’t seen any decrease in the number of deliveries we’ve performed in the past year – and in fact, we’re expecting our busiest summer of deliveries ahead of us in a few months.”

Dr. Roedner explains to her patients that pregnancy during a pandemic is much like a normal pregnancy, although it’s very important for women to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines, including frequent handwashing, wearing appropriate masks and social distancing.

“One positive to come from this is that we’ve seen many of our pregnant patients spending more time at home, which is giving them more time to prepare their bodies, families and homes for the addition of a new baby.”

One Patient’s Experience – A COVID-19 Pregnancy

Tanvi and her husband, Rishi, are due with their first child at the end of May.

“For us, the decision to start a family during the pandemic has been great so far,” Tanvi explains. “Before the pandemic, both of us traveled for work and we had a relatively busy social life. Being pregnant during this time has been really ideal for us, honestly. I’ve had time to really focus on my pregnancy and together, we’ve had time to change our mindset to prepare for becoming parents. We’ve grown closer as partners, spending more time together working from home, and establishing healthy habits like eating right, going for walks, doing yoga and strengthening our relationship. I don’t feel like I’ve had to make sacrifices that I think could have been more difficult in a non-pandemic time.”

When it comes to COVID-19 concerns, Tanvi shares that she hasn’t been overly worried about pregnancy or her upcoming delivery. Tanvi explains, “My husband had the virus a few months before we conceived, so we felt like we already had some level of antibody protection. Plus, I made the decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as I was eligible. I work in clinical research and have a good understanding of the vaccine trials and the science behind how it works, so I didn’t hesitate when it was my turn.”

While Tanvi is a little disappointed she can’t have her extended family at the hospital after delivery, they’ve made plans to welcome everyone to meet their baby boy as soon as they’re sent home. “It’s a small sacrifice during what has otherwise been a really wonderful pregnancy. We can’t wait to meet our little boy.”

Congratulations, Tanvi and Rishi – we can’t wait to meet him, either!