Pregnant women may have suffered complications because of Covid — even if they did not catch the virus, a study suggests.
Researchers analysed the placentas from 115 mothers who gave birth during the pandemic.
They found more physical abnormalities than they would have expected to see in a pre-2020 pregnancy.
Rates of placental problems tripled among mothers with Covid, but doubled even among those who never caught the virus.
Experts suggested this may be down to pandemic-related stress, which can trigger inflammation and structural changes to the vital organ. Charities say more research is needed to understand whether this puts mothers and babies at risk.
Pregnant women may have had complications during Covid even when they did not catch the virus (stock image)
The above picture shows calcification of the placenta in pregnant women in the UK. This is normal shortly before birth, but can cause problems if it happens earlier
The above picture shows signals in the placenta indicating there is too much of the blood clotting protein fibrin in the placenta — which can restrict babies growth
Study co-author Professor Alexander Heazell, of Manchester University, said: 'The increase of placental problems we’ve seen during the pandemic is concerning.
'But we need more long-term research to understand the full effects of Covid and related stresses on pregnancy.
'Both clearly affect the placenta but we still can’t tell exactly what that means for the health of mothers and babies.
'In the meantime, there must be appropriate psychological care and support available throughout pregnancy, to help reduce the pandemic’s impact on maternal wellbeing.'
