Delta poses 'severe' risk to mothers-to-be: Covid variant could be bigger danger for pregnant women, scientists warn

Laura Brunton, who is expecting her third child, said she was initially hesitant about getting the jab

The Delta variant may pose a greater risk to pregnant women, scientists have warned, as they called on expectant mothers to get vaccinated.

More than 99 per cent of pregnant women hospitalised with Covid are unvaccinated and one in ten end up in intensive care, a study found.

Researchers from Oxford University described their findings as ‘very concerning’.

Marian Knight, the study’s chief investigator, said: ‘It is extremely good news that so few vaccinated pregnant women have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19.

‘However, it is very concerning that admissions of pregnant women to hospital with Covid-19 are increasing and that pregnant women appear to be more severely affected by the Delta variant of the disease.’ 

She added: ‘I cannot emphasise more strongly how important it is for pregnant women to get vaccinated in order to protect both them and their baby.’

The study, which used data from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System , found that more than 3,300 pregnant women have been hospitalised with Covid symptoms since the start of the pandemic. Some 200 were admitted last week.

The disease’s severity also appears to have worsened over time, researchers found. 

Less than a quarter of pregnant women admitted during the first wave reported moderate or severe symptoms, compared with 45 per cent of those who contracted the Delta variant.

However, of the 742 women hospitalised since February 1, only four have received a single dose of the jab. None have received both shots.

The findings are likely to further encourage pregnant women to get the vaccine. 

Laura Brunton, who is expecting her third child, said she was initially hesitant about getting the jab.

But after conversations with doctors, the life management coach, from Witney in Oxfordshire, decided it would be safer to ‘protect us all’.

The life management coach, from Witney in Oxfordshire, decided it would be safer to ‘protect us all’