Does Pregnancy Still Raise Your Severe COVID-19 Risk?

The Persistent Risk of COVID-19 for Expectant Mothers

Clinicians globally must recognize that severe COVID-19 in pregnancy remains a significant threat even after the pandemic emergency. Specifically, a recent large-scale retrospective cohort study analyzed maternal outcomes across different viral periods. Researchers examined data from a major U.S. insurance database during the Delta variant and post-emergency phases. Consequently, this design allowed them to compare unvaccinated pregnant patients with matched nonpregnant controls. Ultimately, the results show that pregnancy elevates the danger of hospitalization and severe disease. Therefore, medical providers must continue prioritizing preventive care for this vulnerable population.

Why Severe COVID-19 in Pregnancy Remains a Critical Concern

During the Delta period, pregnant individuals experienced substantially higher absolute risks of complications. However, even in the post-emergency period, relative risks remained high. For example, pregnant patients had a fourfold higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. In addition, they faced nearly triple the risk of pneumonia hospitalization. Consequently, these findings highlight a persistent biological vulnerability to respiratory pathogens during gestation. Furthermore, postpartum individuals also demonstrated elevated risks for severe outcomes. Thus, the transition out of the pandemic emergency has not eliminated these maternal health disparities.

Clinical Implications and Patient Management

Given these persistent risks, clinicians must emphasize timely vaccination and early outpatient treatment. Specifically, maternal vaccination remains the most effective defense against hospitalization and severe illness. Moreover, clinical studies confirm that COVID-19 vaccines do not increase the risk of birth defects. Therefore, obstetricians should confidently recommend booster doses during routine prenatal visits. Additionally, early administration of authorized antivirals can prevent mild cases from progressing to severe pneumonia. Ultimately, maintaining high clinical vigilance will protect both maternal and fetal health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why does pregnancy increase the risk of severe COVID-19?

Pregnancy causes physiological changes in the respiratory and immune systems. Consequently, these changes make expecting mothers more susceptible to severe viral infections and complications like pneumonia.

Q2: Should postpartum individuals also worry about COVID-19 risks?

Yes, postpartum individuals still face elevated risks for severe outcomes. Therefore, healthcare providers must monitor patients closely during the weeks following delivery.

References

1. Coates MM et al. Risk of Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals After the Pandemic Emergency. Obstet Gynecol. 2026 Jul 09. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006364. PMID: 42424625.
2. Regan AK, Rowe SL, Sullivan SG, Coates MM, Muñoz FM, Arah OA. COVID-19 antiviral medication use among pregnant and recently pregnant US outpatients. Clin Infect Dis. 2025;80(5):512-519. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae453.
3. Rowe SL, Sullivan SG, Muñoz FM, Coates MM, Agnew B, Arah OA, Regan AK. COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy and Major Structural Birth Defects. Pediatrics. 2025 Apr 1;155(4):e2024069778. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-069778.