Overview of COVID-19's Effects on Pregnancy and Birth

Overview of COVID-19’s Effects on Pregnancy and Birth

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced maternal and infant health outcomes, raising concerns regarding pregnancy complications and neonatal health. Understanding these effects is crucial for healthcare providers and expectant mothers. Research indicates that COVID-19 can lead to various complications during pregnancy, which may affect both maternal and neonatal health. For instance, studies have shown that maternal infections during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight (Ding et al., 2025).

This phenomenon is further complicated by the emergence of different COVID-19 variants. A cohort study noted that maternal infection with the Omicron variant did not significantly increase the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes compared to infections with earlier strains (Sun et al., 2025). Pregnant women infected with COVID-19 reported higher levels of anxiety and stress, which may impact their overall well-being and that of their infants (He et al., 2023).

Moreover, the pandemic has exacerbated existing health disparities, affecting access to prenatal care and mental health resources. The interruption of routine maternal healthcare services during lockdowns has resulted in inadequate monitoring of pregnancy, leading to undiagnosed conditions and increased morbidity (Zhao et al., 2022).

Maternal Health Risks Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Maternal health risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy include gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and increased rates of cesarean delivery. The CDC reported a rise in adverse maternal outcomes and complications during the pandemic, with women infected with COVID-19 experiencing a higher incidence of gestational hypertension and diabetes compared to uninfected counterparts (Kumar et al., 2024). The psychological stress of navigating a pandemic environment has also contributed to increased rates of postpartum depression among new mothers (Baser et al., 2025).

Data from a national survey of maternal-fetal medicine fellows indicated that those practicing in states with restrictive abortion laws reported higher levels of moral distress, which can further complicate maternal health outcomes (Ding et al., 2025). Additionally, the overall maternal mortality rates have been observed to rise during the pandemic, particularly in populations with limited access to healthcare (Zeng et al., 2023).

Table 1: Maternal Health Risks and Associated Complications

Neonatal Outcomes and Immune Response to Maternal Infection

The implications of maternal COVID-19 infection extend to neonatal health. Infants born to mothers who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy may experience various health outcomes, including respiratory issues and developmental delays. However, studies have shown that maternal antibodies can be transferred to neonates, potentially providing some level of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 (Flannery et al., 2021).

A recent study indicated that infants of mothers infected with COVID-19 during the first and second trimesters exhibited lower rates of respiratory infections compared to those born to uninfected mothers (Gomez et al., 2022). This suggests that maternal COVID-19 infection might not only pose risks but also confer protective benefits through antibody transfer, highlighting a complex relationship between maternal health and infant outcomes (Piekos et al., 2024).

Factors Influencing Maternal-Fetal Transmission of Antibodies

Several factors influence the transmission of antibodies from mother to fetus during COVID-19 infection. The timing of maternal infection plays a crucial role, as antibody transfer is more effective when infections occur later in pregnancy. Research has demonstrated that IgG antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2 are present in higher concentrations in the umbilical cord blood of infants born to mothers infected during the third trimester compared to those infected in the first trimester (Zhao et al., 2022).

Additionally, the presence of certain maternal health conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, may affect antibody production and transfer rates. Pregnant women with pre-existing conditions may have altered immune responses, which can influence the levels of antibodies passed to their infants (He et al., 2023). Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing strategies to protect vulnerable populations during infectious disease outbreaks.

Table 2: Factors Influencing Antibody Transfer

Strategies for Managing Pregnancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

To mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy, several strategies have been proposed. These include enhancing access to prenatal care, providing mental health support, and implementing vaccination programs for pregnant women. Vaccination has been shown to reduce the severity of illness in infected mothers and provide protective antibodies to newborns (Zeng et al., 2023).

Healthcare providers must prioritize the identification of pregnant women at risk for complications and ensure that appropriate interventions are in place. This includes regular monitoring of maternal health, addressing mental health needs, and ensuring access to resources that support healthy pregnancies. Furthermore, public health policies should adapt to the evolving landscape of COVID-19 to protect maternal and infant health effectively.

FAQs

Q1: Can COVID-19 affect pregnancy outcomes?
A1: Yes, studies indicate that COVID-19 can lead to complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and increased cesarean delivery rates.

Q2: How does maternal infection impact the infant?
A2: Maternal COVID-19 infection may lead to respiratory issues in infants; however, it may also confer some immunity through antibody transfer.

Q3: What strategies can help manage pregnancy during the pandemic?
A3: Enhancing access to prenatal care, providing mental health support, and implementing vaccination programs are essential strategies.

Q4: Are there long-term effects of maternal COVID-19 on infants?
A4: More research is needed, but initial findings suggest that while there may be risks, protective antibodies can also be transferred from mother to infant.

Q5: How can pregnant women protect themselves from COVID-19?
A5: Pregnant women are encouraged to follow public health guidelines, including vaccination, wearing masks, and practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.

References

1. Baser, O., Endrizal, A., & Alemzadeh, A. (2025). The Effect of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on Clinical Diagnosis of Postpartum Depression. Journal of Health Economics and Outcomes Research. https://doi.org/10.36469/001c.129633

2. Ding, J. J., Vu, T., Stammler, S., Murray, P., & Epstein, E. (2025). Moral distress among maternal-fetal medicine fellows: a national survey study. BMC Medical Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01187-4

3. Flannery, D. D., Gouma, S., Dhudasia, M. B., et al. (2021). Assessment of maternal and neonatal SARS-CoV-2 viral load, transplacental antibody transfer, and placental pathology in pregnancies during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Network Open

4. Gomez, U. T., et al. (2022). Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Global Health 21)00079-6

5. He, X., et al. (2023). Influence of maternal COVID-19 infection on offspring immunity and maternal-fetal outcomes at different pregnancy stages: a cohort study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07323-7

6. Kumar, J., et al. (2024). Gestational diabetes mellitus in the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective study from Hangzhou, China. J Diabetes

7. Piekos, S. N., et al. (2024). The effect of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection timing on birth outcomes: a retrospective multicentre cohort study. Lancet Digital Health 21)00250-8

8. Sun, Y., et al. (2025). Impact of maternal COVID-19 infection on offspring immunity and maternal-fetal outcomes at different pregnancy stages: a cohort study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07323-7

9. Zeng, Y., et al. (2023). Pregnancy outcomes in women with and without COVID-19 infection: the INTERCOVID multinational cohort study. JAMA Pediatrics

10. Zhao, J., et al. (2022). Twelve-month specific IgG response to SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain among COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors in Wuhan. Nature Communications. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24230-5