Brazil is asking women to delay pregnancy because of a COVID-19 variant

• Officials in Brazil urged women to wait to get pregnant.
• A new COVID-19 variant in the country seems to be causing more complications in pregnant people.
• In the U.S., officials say that the choice to become pregnant is a personal decision.

The government in Brazil is asking women to consider delaying pregnancy until the country is out of the grips of a spike in COVID cases.

"If possible, postpone the pregnancy a bit to a better time so that [you] can have a more peaceful pregnancy," Secretary of Primary Health Care of the Brazilian health ministry Raphael Camara said in April, according to CNN.

Camara pointed out that women who are older might want to conceive while they can, since the chance of a healthy pregnancy drop with maternal age. However, young women should consider waiting to add to their families, he said.

Brazil has been hit hard by a more easily transmittable COVID-19 variant

Brazil has been hit hard by COVID-19. The vaccine rollout in the country has been slow, and the P.1 COVID-19 variant that has taken hold in the country is more easily transmittable, and possibly more dangerous for pregnant women.

"The clinical experience of specialists shows that this new variant acts more aggressively in pregnant women," Health Ministry official Raphael Parente said during a news conference, according to Reuters.

The hospital system in Brazil is largely overwhelmed, with 85% or more of ICU beds taken up. Officials hope that people delaying pregnancy will help alleviate the burden on the healthcare system, Reuters reported.

Should you delay pregnancy due to COVID-19?

In the United States, health officials never urged people to avoid pregnancy due to the pandemic. People should speak with their healthcare provider and make an individual decision about whether it's safe to become pregnant, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists.

Pregnant people are at a higher risk of complications and death if they do contract COVID-19. But in the United States, the rollout of vaccines, which are available for people at all stages of pregnancy, is helping to mitigate some concerns. Although there is only limited data about the safety of the vaccine during pregnancy, indications are that it is safe for pregnant people and their fetuses.