Approximately one in ten pregnant women who catch COVID-19 may develop protracted COVID, a syndrome marked by persistent symptoms lasting months or even years after the original infection, according to a revolutionary new study that has identified a troubling trend. The results have shocked the medical world and sparked grave concerns about the long-term health effects on mothers and their unborn children. They were published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Following more than 1,500 pregnant women nationwide who had tested positive for COVID-19, the study was a component of the National Institutes of Health’s RECOVER initiative. Six months after the initial infection, researchers evaluated participants for long-term COVID symptoms and found an alarmingly high frequency of the illness.

The study’s co-leader, Dr. Torri Metz, stated, “We were surprised by the high rate of long COVID among pregnant women.” “This highlights the need for continuous research and support for this fragile population.”

Pregnant women who experienced long-term COVID-19 symptoms most frequently reported experiencing exhaustion, stomach problems, and difficulties with everyday tasks. Although the study indicated that pregnant women had a higher chance of lengthy COVID-19 than the general population, it’s crucial to remember that there is still a relatively low overall risk of getting severe COVID-19 during pregnancy.

Pregnant women who have long-term COVID may be at risk for conditions like obesity, depression, anxiety, and financial difficulties. Furthermore, the development of chronic symptoms was more common in women with severe COVID-19 who required oxygen supplementation.

The relevance of vaccination during pregnancy is shown by the study’s findings. The study did not specifically address vaccine efficacy, although prior studies have repeatedly demonstrated that vaccination dramatically lowers the risk of hospitalization, death, and severe COVID-19 in pregnant women.

Co-author Dr. David Goff stated, “This study is a wake-up call for healthcare providers.” “We need to be diligent in monitoring the long-term health of pregnant women who have had COVID-19 and provide them with the appropriate assistance and care.”

The researchers stressed that additional study is required to completely comprehend the long-term effects of COVID-19 on expectant mothers and their unborn children. They urged more funding to be allocated to research to create long-term COVID-19 prevention and treatment plans.

Pregnant women’s health and well-being should be given priority, as this study emphasizes, as the world struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare providers can better support and safeguard mothers and their newborns by being aware of the hazards associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy.