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Scott Webb (Host): Having a baby is a joyous time for most people, but in light of COVID-19 and its variants, many of us have questions and concerns. And joining me today to share the latest CDC guidelines on vaccines for pregnant and breastfeeding women, is Dr. Jesse Loeffler. She's an OB GYN doctor at Contemporary Obstetrics and Gynecology in Kearney, and the Chair of the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Committee at Kearney Regional Medical Center.

This is the Kearney Regional Medical Center podcast. I'm Scott Webb. Doctor, it's so great to have you as the first guest on the podcast. We're still talking about COVID-19, specifically as it relates to pregnant women. So, can you give us an overview of the new guidance from the CDC regarding the COVID vaccine and pregnant women?

Jesse Loeffler, MD (Guest): Yes, COVID-19 vaccination is currently recommended by the CDC for all people, 12 years and older. That also includes women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant or who think they might become pregnant in the near or distant future.

Host: And for women who are pregnant now and trying to decide whether to receive the vaccine or not, can you explain to us what are the benefits and maybe what are the considerations?

Dr. Loeffler: What we know about COVID in pregnancy is that you are at a higher risk for getting severe disease requiring hospitalization due to immunosuppression that occurs during pregnancy. So, a higher likelihood of needing to be hospitalized and possibly having complications that could lead to early delivery or adverse effects for the mother and the baby.

The CDC released the first US data on the safety of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, specifically the mRNA vaccine during pregnancy. The report analyzed data from three safety monitoring systems in place to gather information about the COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. These early data did not find any safety concerns for pregnant people who were vaccinated or their babies. Another report looked at the pregnant people, enrolled in the V Safe pregnancy registry who were vaccinated before 20 weeks. Scientists do not find an increased risk for miscarriage among people who receive the mRNA COVID vaccine during pregnancy. So, what we know is that receiving the mRNA COVID vaccine during pregnancy, reduces the risk for an infection. A recent study from Israel compared pregnant people who received an mRNA vaccine with those who did not. Scientists found that the vaccination lowered the risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccination also builds antibodies that might protect the baby.

When pregnant people receive a mRNA COVID vaccine during pregnancy, their bodies build antibodies against COVID, similar to non-pregnant people and antibodies made after a pregnant person received a vaccine were found in the umbilical cord at the time of delivery. And what this means is that you are passing antibodies from yourself to the baby that could possibly help protect the baby from getting COVID or severe disease from COVID after delivery.

Host: Yeah. And while we certainly understand the considerations and the concerns, it sounds like there are a lot of benefits to being vaccinated, passing the antibodies onto your baby, for example. And what about women who are breastfeeding or are planning to become pregnant in the future? Are there safety concerns for them? Is there any way that the vaccine impacts fertility?

Dr. Loeffler: There's currently no evidence that any vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine cause fertility problems in women or in men. And it's important to remember, COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause infection in anyone, including the mother or the baby. Vaccines are effective in preventing COVID-19 in people who are breastfeeding. Recent reports have also shown that breastfeeding people who received the COVID vaccine have antibodies in their breast milk, which could help protect their babies similar to how it was found in the umbilical cord.

Host: Yeah. So, there does seem to be a common thread there. The antibodies that were found in the umbilical cord, or can be passed on through breastfeeding. So, again, understand the concerns and considerations, but really there are a lot of benefits and I guess I'm wondering, what are you telling your patients right now about the vaccine? Do you feel that it's safe and effective? What should people do if they have questions?

Dr. Loeffler: I encourage anybody that has questions to speak specifically to their treating physician, whether they are currently pregnant, considering being pregnant or are breastfeeding. Just get your information from somebody that you trust and that you have a relationship with. I tell my patients that ultimately the decision is up to them, whether they feel safe receiving a vaccine during pregnancy or not, but that there are definitely risks of being sick with COVID during pregnancy. And that what we know about the vaccine so far is that it is safe and also effective at reducing severe disease in pregnant women and could possibly help the baby after delivery if they receive it during pregnancy or also while they're breastfeeding.

Host: Yeah. And I was just thinking, you know, I have two kids myself and what a magical and wonderful time it is to be a new parent, to have babies, to see those kids grow up and be healthy and happy, hopefully. And I guess I'm just wondering, you know, your perspective on pregnancy in the time of COVID this is all unprecedented for all of us, really none of us have ever lived through anything like this and we hope to defeat COVID or at least to be able to manage it as best we can moving forward. But what are your thoughts just generally about pregnancy during the time of COVID?

Dr. Loeffler: As far as on a daily basis seeing women, I think anybody should start their family whenever they feel it is best for them in their family situation to start their family. I think initially people were nervous to get pregnant and we saw the pregnancy and birth rate decline in the country, for a little bit of time.

But what I'm finding at least here in the Midwest, where we practice, where I practice in Kearney, that people are going on with life and they want to live their life. And that, that if you feel like it is the right time for you to have a child, then you definitely should. And I would not let COVID stand in the way of that. I do think you need to take in consideration the health of your family and what's best for you and your children and your significant other in your life.

Host: Yeah, I think you're so right, Doctor. I think that if people feel that it's the right time and we do have the vaccines available, that COVID shouldn't prevent people from having the families that they desire, that they want to have, that they're ready for. So, I appreciate that answer. As we wrap up here, Doctor, our first episode, the pilot episode for Kearney, what are your takeaways when it comes to COVID-19, the Delta variant, pregnant women. Just final thoughts.

Dr. Loeffler: So, I think that COVID, at least for me personally, and what I've seen in the Kearney community, I think is that it has made us slow down in our lives and realize what's important. Which namely is family and friends and spending time with those that we care about and that we love and the health of our family.

And I think that continuing to have children in this time, will just continue that trend that we all want to just slow down and focus on what's important in life. And we do have the vaccines available to help us hopefully return to a more normal sense of life. And eventually can get past this pandemic. And so I think it's important to discuss this with your family, with your partner, with your children, if they're old enough, with your physician and do what you think is best so that we can all get back to this normal sense of life.

Host: Well, it has been so great having your time today. I'm sure this is a benefit to women who are pregnant or are considering pregnancy or breastfeeding, all the above. So, really great to have you on the first episode and you stay well.

Dr. Loeffler: Thank you. You too.

Host: To learn more about COVID-19 visit kearneyregional.com/covid19. And that concludes this episode of the Kearney Regional Medical Center podcast. If you found this podcast helpful, please be sure to tell a friend and subscribe, rate, review this podcast. I'm Scott Webb. Thanks for listening. Stay well.