Older pregnant women with COVID-19 face more risks

ATLANTA, Ga. (NewsNation Now) —  A new CDC report shows that older, pregnant women who have COVID-19 are at greater risk for hospitalizations and being admitted to the ICU than women who are not pregnant.

Deepa Subramanian is pregnant and luckily she tested negative for coronavirus.

“This is my first pregnancy so it has been an adventure in itself and during a pandemic is really unique,” said Subramanian.

The CDC says nearly 20,000 woman contracted COVID-19, with one out of four needing to be hospitalized.

“I think this provides more compelling data to offer the vaccine to pregnant women since pregnant women,” said Dr. Denise Jamieson.

Another study from the CDC shows most women test positive for coronavirus during the third trimester and have a higher risk for a pre-term birth.

“It is possible to transmit the baby during the pregnancy or during childbirth but this is relatively rare,” said Jamieson. “Most babies who are born to positive mothers are COVID-19 negative.”

Subramanian said she is not worried and that her biggest challenge is finding a name before her December due date.

NewsNation affiliate WJBF and Atlanta Bureau Chief Archith Seshadri contributed to this report.