Factors affecting the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine in the postpartum period

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world, causing massive morbidity and mortality. Vaccination during puerperium protects both the mother and the newborn and is important to keep the pandemic under control. Methods Women who gave birth at Ankara City Hospital between February 11, 2021 and March 21, 2021 were included. Data were collected through a face-to-face questionnaire. Results We asked 412 postpartum women were surveyed about their acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine; 137 (33.3%) of them wanted to be vaccinated, while 275 (66.7%) of them did not want to be vaccinated. Reasons for vaccination rejection; 209 (76%) of them stated that there was not enough information about the safety of the vaccine for the postpartum period, and 89 (32.4%) of them thought that the vaccine would not be effective for the disease. Three of the answers in the survey were found significantly different in high-risk pregnancy (HRP) group compared to low-risk pregnancy (LRP) group; 1) Having their babies to be vaccinated, 2) To be vaccinated if it will be recommended to the puerperal women, and 3) Feeling anxious about being infected by SARS-CoV-2 (p < .05). Conclusions Health authorities recommend the COVID-19 vaccine to breastfeeding mothers. However, a relatively low vaccination acceptance rate was observed in the present study. For newly developed vaccines, concern over vaccine safety is the biggest obstacle to vaccine administration. Therefore, the reasons that influence acceptance or refusal of vaccines are important for developing targeted communication strategies and healthcare policies

Experience of a tertiary pandemic centre on the labour and delivery of 337 pregnant women with COVID-19: a prospective cohort study from Turkey

The aim of the present study is to share the experience of a tertiary reference pandemic centre on the labour and delivery of pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with COVID-19 (n = 337). Patients were divided into two groups based on their severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity (n = 103 positive and n = 234 negative) during the delivery. Thereafter, clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups. Moreover, delivery characteristics and clinical features were compared between primary caesarean section (n = 117) and normal spontaneous vaginal delivery cases (n = 100). Labour induction was performed in 16% of cases with a failure rate of 35%. Caesarean rate was 70% and the most common indication was worsening in maternal condition. Significant, positive and moderate correlations were observed between COVID-19 severity at admission (r = 0.422, p<.001), radiologic findings consistent with COVID-19 (r = 0.400, p<.001), the necessity for oxygen support during the delivery (r = 0.406, p<.001) and postpartum worsening in maternal condition. A significant, positive weak correlation was found between caesarean delivery and postpartum worsening in maternal condition (r = 0.176, p<.001). COVID-19 seems to be associated with increased rates of obstetric complications and caesarean delivery.Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Increased rates of foetal distress and caesarean section were reported in pregnant women with COVID-19. Appropriate management of labour and delivery in infected pregnant women is crucial to obtain favourable perinatal outcomes. What do the results of this study add? COVID-19 seems to be associated with increased rates of obstetric complications and caesarean delivery. PCR positive group had significantly higher primary and prelabor caesarean delivery rates. Severe/critic COVID-19 infection rate was significantly higher in the primary caesarean group. Significant, positive and moderate correlations were observed between COVID-19 severity at admission, radiologic findings consistent with COVID-19, the necessity for oxygen support during the delivery and postpartum worsening in maternal condition. A significant, positive weak correlation was found between caesarean delivery and postpartum worsening in maternal condition. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Management and delivery of pregnant women with COVID-19 should be individualised. The findings of the present study may lead to the establishment of future obstetric protocols in this special population