Covid 19 Pandemic & Women’s Health Pregnancy, Parturition & Postpartum Problems & Vaccination Challenges
Authors: Kishanrao Suresh 
Published: August 2022

Th global dilemma of Covid 19 pandemic, is just 30-40% of COVID-19 cases have been disaggregated by both sex and age. Many anecdotal studies in different countries indicate a higher incidence, mortality, and fatality rates among men than among women. These rates vary widely by region, country, and men are at greater risk of COVID-19 death. The proportion of male and female Covid 19 patients was 51: 49 as against the proportion of Covid 19 deaths was 55:45. The mortality and fatality rates increased with age and were most predominant in men 50 years of age or older. Studies from around the world show that pregnant women are no more likely to get COVID-19 than other healthy adults. Only 1/3 of infected pregnant women had mild cold or flu-like symptoms. CDC data showed a highest number of COVID-19-related deaths in pregnant people in August 2021. It indicated that 97% of pregnant people hospitalized, either for illness or labour and delivery, with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were unvaccinated. While worldwide Covid 19 vaccination emergency use was granted in December 2020, for the pregnant women it was withheld until from December 14, 2020, to February 28, 2021, about 36,000 pregnant women were tested for safety issue and emergency use was cleared in April 2021 by USFDA. Most Covid 19 infected pregnant women will be asymptomatic or have a mild disease and recover without any need for hospitalization. In less than 5% cases rapid deterioration in health occurs that sometimes affects the foetus too. In case of severe disease, like all other patients, pregnant women needed hospitalization, ICU care and ventilator support. The possibility of pre-mature delivery, low birth weight (< 2.5 kg) and in rare situations, still birth increases. Pregnant women Older than 35 years of age, Obese, having an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure and have a history of clotting in the limbs are at higher risk. Given the fact India is home for 27 million pregnancies each year, I estimate that at least 2.7 million women faced the consequences of Covid 19. The GOI and State Governments have accepted lack of exact data about Covid 19 among pregnant women and its consequences in the last 2 years. All component of maternal care did suffer throughout the country. Data suggested that women who were pregnant or recently pregnant are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 when compared to people who are not pregnant. Indian Government approved vaccinating pregnant women on 2 July 2021. A recent response in Rajya Sabha indicates that as of 2 February 2022 28.22 lakh dose were reported to have been given to pregnant women and 11.68 Lakhs of them had got both doses. With the birth of 25 + million children India accounts for nearly about 27 million pregnancies each year. As of 2/7/21, the day GOI cleared vaccination for pregnant women the country had an estimated 16 million (60% of annual pregnancies that could have been recognized as pregnant) pregnant women and added 2 .2 million pregnancies every month, taking the total of eligible to 25 million in the last 7 months of which we protected only 1.17 million a meagre 5%. Among those vaccinated by 31 January 2022, 64 had some adverse reactions of which 38 were severe in nature. Materials & Methods: Review of publications from different countries and press reports in major City editions of popular daily newspapers like Times of India, Hindu, Hindustan Times, India Express, Economic times etc. Periodical press releases and statements in Parliament and State Assemblies. Anecdotal studies form the scientific basis for this article.