KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Medical experts warn that pregnant women have an increased risk for severe illness when contracting COVID-19.
According to a report from the CDC, pregnant women have been added to the list of people most vulnerable to the virus.
“This is largely due to some changes that happen with the immune system and some other basic changes that happen with things like the heart and lungs during pregnancy," explained Dr. Devon Ramaeker, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with Saint Luke's Health System.
Despite the warning for pregnant women, Ramaeker said current information suggests there's a very low chance of any risk to the baby. She added there appear to be no negative outcomes, like birth defects.
Dr. Ramaeker said she is seeing a lot of patients with anxiety and depression, but there's no evidence it's having a negative impact on the baby.
The doctor said the advice for pregnant moms is to avoid social gatherings like baby showers.
“Social distancing, hand washing and most importantly masking to really prevent the spread of the coronavirus," Ramaeker said.
