“Quite sick in ICU”: 10% of all intensive care patients with COVID-19 are pregnant women

Vaccination is "a much better option than taking your chances.”

As COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise across the island of Ireland, more hospitals are seeing an increase in pregnant women testing positive for the virus. It is believed 10% of ICU patients with COVID-19 are pregnant women. According to the Irish Examiner, the low-vaccine uptake in pregnant women is to blame. It is understood that only one in every three pregnant women is currently vaccinated. The hope was for 60% of pregnant women to be vaccinated at this stage, however, expectant-mums are believed to be hesitant about the vaccine. The Coombe's Dr. Cliona Murphy told the publication: "We have seen people quite sick in ICU whose only underlying condition is pregnancy." “Nobody can blame young women for thinking they won’t be seriously affected (by Covid) but, unfortunately, the physiology of pregnancy is different, and it is an extra burden on your body,” she added. She stressed that the vaccine is safe for mums-to-be. “The official recommendation by the professional bodies is to get the vaccines, that it is certainly a much better option than taking your chances.” The HSE states that you can avail of the vaccine if you're over 16 and pregnant, trying for a baby or might get pregnant in the future or, breastfeeding. However, many people are hesitant about getting vaccinated when pregnant, but a new UK trial is currently underway to find the safest gap between COVID-19 vaccine doses for pregnant women. The majority of pregnant women who test positive for COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms. They give birth normally and the risk of passing on COVID-19 to their baby is low. However, medical experts believe getting vaccinated is still the best option for them. For more information on pregnancy and the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.