Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition marked by high blood pressure that can be minor, but can also be deadly. If women know what symptoms to look for, they can secure a safer pregnancy for both themselves and their babies.

A large new study found the rates of advanced cervical cancers are spiking, with unusual increases in white women, and experts are trying to find out why.

A San Antonio woman who contracted COVID-19 while she was pregnant was diagnosed with preeclampsia days after she delivered her baby.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pushing even harder for unvaccinated pregnant women to get their COVID-19 shot due to the severe health risks the delta variant may impose on them and their unborn children.

The COVID-19 delta variant is causing a heartbreaking trend in San Antonio hospitals for some pregnant women who are not vaccinated and are hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

At least three of San Antonio’s major hospital systems report pregnant women are included in the surge of COVID-19 cases brought on by the highly contagious Delta variant.

As the U.S. prepares for children to likely start getting vaccinated against the virus this week, parents naturally have a lot of questions and concerns.

Labor and delivery looks a whole lot different during the coronavirus pandemic, and KSAT viewers have sent in a lot of questions about protocols and recommendations that seem to be ever-changing.

SAN ANTONIO – For a couple of weeks, KSAT has asked viewers for their questions about being pregnant during this pandemic. Abigail Vega Keller is 16 weeks pregnant with her first child and feels grateful for many things, including the first trimester without morning sickness. Many KSAT viewers have those same questions about hospital protocols for visitors during delivery. Ramsey said the major San Antonio hospital systems stay in touch and have mainly the same protocols. If you have any questions for our panel of experts, you can still submit them now below:

SAN ANTONIO – NOTE: A video of the town hall is available on demand in the video player above. KSAT anchor and reporter Courtney Friedman, who recently announced her pregnancy, spoke with a panel of four experts about COVID-19 during pregnancy, the vaccine, delivery protocols, breastfeeding, infertility, and mental health. Dr. Patrick Ramsey is the medical director for inpatient OB services at University Health and the Director of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program at UT Health San Antonio. He is also the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Erin Mankus is an OB-GYN at University Health and an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Health San Antonio.

Dr. Patrick Ramsey, Medical Director for Inpatient OB services at University Health answered commonly asked questions for women that are pregnant and want to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The WHO recently reversed their recommendation that pregnant women not get the Moderna vaccine, and took a similar position on the Pfizer vaccine. “We have no evidence that the vaccine causes any problems for women to be able to get pregnant,” said Dr. Ramsey. Read the University Health FAQ page on topics about appointments, preparing for your vaccination and how to receive notifications about vaccine availability. AdKSAT Community operates in partnership with University Health, Energy Transfer and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union.

Many of the questions had to do with getting the vaccine while pregnant. Some in particular asked whether on not immunity can be passed to your baby if you get the vaccine while pregnant. He, like most doctors and researchers around the world, is strongly recommending pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. And we do know COVID-19 carries significant risks to mom and if mom doesn’t do well, baby. AdComparing the options: COVID-19 vaccine safe for pregnant womenSo, can the vaccine offer the added benefit of protecting the baby against COVID-19 as well?

On Wednesday, we focused on the topic viewers asked about the most -- getting the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. One viewer, in particular, asked for a comparison of the safety of the available vaccines, including newer ones, like Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine. Over 10,000 women have received it, and we have not seen any significant pregnancy complications related to the vaccines,” Ramsey said. Pregnant KSAT viewers wanted to know more about the newer Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which was recently authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We all believe it’s going to be a safe vaccine,” Ramsey said.

The World Health Organization recently reversed its recommendation that pregnant women not get the Moderna vaccine -- and took a similar position on the Pfizer vaccine. That means pregnant women are now being told the vaccine is safe. The WHO recently reversed their recommendation that pregnant women not get the Moderna vaccine, and took a similar position on the Pfizer vaccine. “The position was based on the fact that pregnant women were not enrolled in the studies, so there isn’t data on them. So far, luckily, we haven’t see seriously increased health risks in infants.”Can COVID-positive mothers breastfeed?

SAN ANTONIO – The average percentage of pregnant women in South Texas with gestational diabetes is almost three times the national average. Around the country, 7% of pregnant women are typically diagnosed with gestational diabetes. “I’ve certainly seen the reports of gestational diabetes are going up. RELATED: How to manage diabetes during the pandemicAdGestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. “We do know that women who have gestational diabetes may be at increased risk for hospitalization,” he said.

SAN ANTONIO – Recommendations for pregnant women on the COVID-19 vaccine have been confusing, but Dr. Patrick Ramsey, medical director for inpatient OB services at University Health, explains the science behind it, how the vaccine is made, and why pregnant women should get the shot. Basically, we just don’t have a lot of information about the safety, specifically, for pregnant women. We are planning a study here at University Hospital and UT Health to look at the Pfizer vaccine, so we’re excited to see what those results show. Q: Should pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine anyway? A: We are recommending that pregnant women do receive the COVID-19 vaccine, either Moderna or the Pfizer vaccine, or the other vaccines that are potentially coming out.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Tuesday that it would not recommend the Moderna vaccine to pregnant women unless they are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19, but that doesn’t necessarily mean pregnant women should steer clear. KSAT asked him the following:Why did the World Health Organization announce it would not recommend the Moderna vaccine to pregnant women? RELATED: Doctors address false claim that COVID-19 vaccine causes infertility, sterilizationRamsey says the WHO had a similar stance with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Pregnant women were not part of the vaccine’s initial studies, but it was given to many health care workers, some of whom are pregnant. So when the baby is born, it’s going to have some protection against COVID-19.”Ramsey says the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain the live virus.

SAN ANTONIO Dr. Patrick Ramsey, chief of maternal-fetal medicine at UT Health San Antonio, says expectant mothers and women who just gave birth need to take additional precautions to avoid infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 15 to 20% of OBGYN patients are COVID-19 positive, and about 85% of positive cases are asymptomatic. At 38 weeks, she tested positive for COVID-19. Every newborn is tested for COVID-19 at birth and 48 hours after birth, Ramsey said. And from the breastfeeding standpoint, breastfeeding is still strongly recommended.San Antonio reported 211 positive COVID-19 cases involving children under the age of one as of July 17.

SAN ANTONIO More pregnant women are testing positive for COVID-19 and it turns out they usually arent aware they have the virus to begin with, health officials said. Sarah Page-Ramsey, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UHS, said patients who test positive are generally surprised. Officials said breastfeeding is still possible after a mother has given birth and is encouraged by nurses. KSAT reached out to UHS to ask what risks are associated with pregnant women who have tested positive for COVID-19. UT Health doctors share findings regarding COVID-19, pregnancy in webinarCoronavirus puts halt on San Antonio couples plans to start a familyVirus disrupts pregnancy plans, raises anxiety and questions