PREGNANT women could be at an increased risk of infection once coronavirus restrictions are relaxed, experts have warned.
Doctors and midwives are urging pregnant women to go out and get their vaccine and have advised that they continue to practice social distancing measures after Freedom Day on July 19.
The stark warning has been issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
Infections are still rising in and the UK yesterday jumped 30 per cent in a week with over 42,000 more infections.
Previous research has revealed that expectant mums are twice as likely to suffer severe Covid than other women.
It was also found that catching Covid could double risk of stillbirths in pregnant women.
One of the reasons pregnant women are at greater risk of being ill with Covid is due to the fact that more pressure is being placed on the lungs because of the growing foetus and Covid is an illness that attacks the lungs.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said in April that pregnant women should be offered their vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population.
It is safe for pregnant women to have the vaccine, but despite this the RCOG says that 58 per cent of women have not taken the NHS up on the offer of a jab.
RCOG president, Dr Edward Morris said once restrictions are eased on Monday, that pregnant women should continue to be cautious.
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“We are concerned that increasing rates of Covid infection will adversely impact pregnant women.
“We know that those who are pregnant with Covid are at an increased risk of becoming severely ill, and the vaccine is the safest and most effective way of protecting women and their babies”, he told the BBC.
The RCOG said it understands the “mixed messages” that have been relayed by the government regarding the safety of the vaccine at the start of the campaign.
So far in the UK over 46 million Brits have had a first dose of a jab and 35.1 million have now had a second.
The RCOG says more should have been done to urge pregnant women to get the vaccine after the JCVI said they were safe for use in April.
RCM chief executive Gill Walton says research confirms that it is safe for women to have the Covid vaccine.
The research comes from the US and involved over 90,000 pregnant women.
The experts found that there was no reason to think there would be an increased risk of miscarriage as the vaccine does not cross from mum to placenta and therefore cannot damage the child.
Ms Walton said pregnant women should not delay in getting their jab and if they have had a first dose, should make sure they book their second.
She explained that along with mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing, vaccination is a vital tool in the fight to protect yourself against this virus.
“If you are unsure or worried about this, do speak to your midwife or doctor to get the facts so that you can make an informed decision.
“All the evidence is showing that having the Covid jab is safe during pregnancy, and I do urge you to have the vaccine to protect yourself, your baby and your family.”
