She died of COVID-19 right after giving birth. Should pregnant women be afraid? The obstetrician explains

A 36-year-old woman from Strzelce Opolskie died of COVID-19 right after giving birth to a child. Before the infection, she was healthy, she had no comorbidities – reported Nowa Trybuna Opolska on 9 December. What could have caused such a young woman to die suddenly? Do other pregnant women have cause for concern? We asked the gynecologist and obstetrician, Dr. Dominika Trojnarska from the Superior Medical Center, for their opinion.

1. The 36-year-old was hospitalized due to pregnancy and worsening symptoms of coronavirus infection. SARS-CoV-2 completely destroyed the woman’s lungs, the only salvation was a transplant, unfortunately it was not possible to carry it out on time
2. Obstetrician-gynecologist: pregnant women are not more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared to non-pregnant women, but there are factors that increase the risk of a severe course of infection in pregnant women, including age over 35
3. Expert: differences in immunity can cause severe and rapidly developing symptoms, even leading to death in healthy young people
4. More current news can be found on the Onet home page.

She died of COVID-19 right after having a baby. The virus completely destroyed her lungs

The woman contracted the coronavirus in the 32nd week of pregnancy. Before contracting COVID-19, she was a healthy woman with no comorbidities. The symptoms she felt after the SARS-CoV-2 infection were typical: coughing, fever, and then she had shortness of breath. When a pregnant woman was admitted to the hospital ward in Kędzierzyn Koźle, her condition was defined as “average”. Within 24 hours, the patient’s health deteriorated.

1. When is breathlessness a serious illness? [WE EXPLAIN]

Doctors decided that if the saturation drops below 88%, they will save the child by performing a caesarean section. The woman agreed to such a solution. Unfortunately, the very next day they had to be applied – a girl was born (she received 7 points on the APGAR scale). The newborn was transported to the hospital in Opole, the mother went to the ICU of the hospital in Kędzierzyn-Koźle.

Unfortunately, despite the efforts of doctors and the administration of subsequent doses of plasma from convalescents, the condition of the woman continued to deteriorate. There is a cardiac arrest. The patient was reanimated. After intubation, she was treated with ECMO. Doctors caring for the patient determined that the coronavirus had completely destroyed her lungs. The only chance for a cure was a transplant. The patient was qualified for such a procedure in Zabrze. She was taken to the local hospital. Unfortunately, it was not possible to save her. The woman orphaned two children. More on this.

When is pregnant women at risk of developing severe COVID-19?

Why is such a young and previously healthy person losing the fight against COVID-19? Why did she die so suddenly? While pregnant women are not at high risk, do other women who are pregnant have cause for concern? The tragic story of a young mother raises such questions. We asked the gynecologist and obstetrician, Dr. Dominika Trojnarska, MD, to clarify these issues.

— According to available world data, pregnant women are not more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared to non-pregnant women. Moreover, statistics show that compared to men, women are less likely to be infected with the coronavirus. Why? Scientists see female hormones, such as estradiol and progesterone, have immunoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, says the specialist.

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On the other hand, it points out that however, there are factors that increase the risk of severe infection in pregnant women. – They are: age over 35, tall BMI, chronic hypertension, diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy – he lists. – Despite the more severe course of the disease, the mortality in pregnant women remains at a level comparable to that of the rest of women – she emphasizes.

Are pregnant women cause for concern?

It has long been known that co-morbidities in a patient increase the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated mortality. – The latest reports also talk about possible mutations of the coronavirus, which determine its aggressiveness and ability to replicate. In addition, each of us has different immune systems and these differences in immunity can cause severe and rapidly developing symptoms, even leading to death in healthy young people. – explains our expert.

As Dr. Dominika Trojnarska concludes, pregnant women are not more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 than the rest of the population, “however, it may be more severe and, consequently, require intensive medical care”.

1. If the situation is not sudden, you can consult a gynecological doctor without leaving your home – using telemedicine. For this purpose, you can make an appointment with your doctor for a TV visit.

What precautions should ladies take when expecting a baby? – I recommend that all pregnant women follow the generally applicable recommendations and restrictions. Hygiene, masks and distance remain our main strategy to fight the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus – reminds the specialist.

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