Alberta Obstetricians Concerned About Babies Born To Unvaccinated Unconscious Mothers | The Canadian News

Delivery should not occur in the intensive care unit. Ultrasounds to listen to a baby’s heartbeat are not supposed to occur with an unconscious expectant mother.

But Calgary obstetrician Dr. Stephanie Cooper said that’s happening inside Alberta hospitals, as a growing number of unvaccinated pregnant women are hospitalized with severe COVID-19 symptoms.

“This is unprecedented, alarming and terrifying, especially for the single mother without the support of family members.”

“We need to make it happen so they think a lot about the vaccine, even if they doubt,” Cooper said.

With Alberta Health Services online information Regarding vaccines and pregnancy, Cooper has launched his own education campaign, creating awareness stickers and buttons for his pregnant patients.

She said heartbreaking conversations with her patients forced her to do something.

“I have had conversations with my patients and I tell them, ‘You are getting sicker, if you go to the ICU and put on a ventilator, you will be asleep and while you sleep, we may have to deliver the baby and we will take videos and photos and We do everything we can, but when you wake up you can’t see your baby, ”Cooper said.

“Having that conversation with a woman while she is panting is horrible and they are terrified.”

According to OB / GYN Dr. Colin Birch, there have been 16 pregnant women since August 2021 admitted to the hospital with symptoms of COVID-19.

“All the patients admitted to the ICU in Calgary and pregnant were not vaccinated,” Birch said.

“The first wave we saw no one in the ICU, the second wave we saw four, the third we saw 12 and the fourth we saw 16. You can see the increase.”

Last August, five babies were born prematurely.

“There are agonizing decisions. The decision we make to deliver the baby prematurely for the mother’s well-being is an agonizing decision, ”said Birch.

“We do a lot of soul searching. I wonder, ‘Did I make the right decision to deliver a baby prematurely?’ Recognizing the complications that can occur but realizing that I gave birth because the ICU management has reached the end of its possible management and this is the last resort.

“I don’t want to sound dramatic, but it’s a huge decision.”

New mom Tatyana Rideout was admitted to the hospital with complications from COVID-19 after giving birth to her son Bobby.

“It was tough and I thought I had made it so long, I thought I would make it,” Rideout said.

“The plan was to get vaccinated afterwards. I wish I was vaccinated. “