Study Links COVID-19 in Pregnancy to Long-Term Health
A cohort study found that maternal age, hypertension, and socioeconomic factors are linked to ICU outcomes for pregnant individuals with COVID-19. The research, featured in Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology, also explored the long-term health consequences of infection during pregnancy.
- Pregnant individuals with COVID-19 have a 76% higher risk of developing preeclampsia compared to those without the virus. Even asymptomatic infections are associated with a significantly increased risk for preeclampsia. - Nearly one in ten people who contract COVID-19 during pregnancy experience long-term symptoms, with fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and post-exertional malaise being the most common. - Children exposed to COVID-19 in utero may have a 29% higher risk of being diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder by age 3, with the risk being most pronounced for male offspring and when the infection occurs in the third trimester. - In 2025, Virginia enacted legislation granting Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) independent practice authority after completing 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, removing the need for a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. - A new Virginia law, HB 1904, which took effect in July 2025, allows certified nurse-midwives to staff 24-hour on-call rosters for newborn nursery care, a measure intended to address staffing shortages in rural hospitals. - Another 2025 Virginia law, HB 1923, mandates 100% reimbursement parity from private insurers and Medicaid for all licensed midwives, ensuring equal pay for the same services provided by other practitioners. - The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant individuals, citing the increased risk of severe disease and adverse outcomes, a stance that diverges from recent changes in CDC recommendations. - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 35% growth for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners from 2024 to 2034, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations.
