A recent CBC News article discussed a BC couple with two young kids and a mom pregnant with a third. The family declined the COVID-19 vaccine. Then their oldest child fell sick with a cough, fever, mild aches and pains. It spread to both husband and pregnant wife, and they all tested positive for COVID-19. The husband and child have since recovered. But the pregnant mom lies in a medically induced coma on ECMO, a last-ditch life support machine, fighting for her life.
It is uncertain that she will survive to see her family again. My heart breaks for this family who tried to do their best but have suffered consequences.
To all women who are pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding, as a mom myself, I’m asking you to get vaccinated.
If women who are pregnant catch COVID-19, which has continued to spread slowly and steadily through the community, they suffer worse consequences. They are 5 times more likely to end up in hospital, unable to recover at home like non-pregnant women. They are 10 times more likely to end up in ICU and more likely to end up on ventilators, fighting to stay alive.
It doesn’t end there. If a pregnant woman manage to survive COVID-19, they may end up with prolonged or even disabling symptoms like fatigue, memory problems, generalized pain, sleep disturbances and mental health issues like anxiety, depression and PTSD. 60% of people who survived COVID-19 reported symptoms of long COVID 3 months after they recovered; 10% still had them a year later.
The vaccine is safe and it works — nearly 50,000 women who are pregnant, or getting pregnant or breastfeeding have demonstrated this. Despite the misinformation online, side effects are rare like the rest of the population.
Back when I was pregnant, I worried how the decisions I made would impact my baby. I chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine so my kids continue to have a healthy mom. When the COVID-19 vaccine is approved for kids aged 5-11 years old, I will stand in line with my four beautiful kids to protect them too.
So, be a mama bear. Your kids need you.