Does covid-19 affect pregnancies and do the vaccines reduce any risks?

Being pregnant at the height of the covid-19 pandemic was profoundly challenging. Many had to give birth without their partners present and new parents found themselves locked down with little or no outside support. On top of this, there was the fear of covid-19 itself. At the start of the pandemic, we had hardly any information about how the infection affected pregnancies or newborns. But, three years on, we have a much clearer picture – and it particularly supports vaccination.