Dr. Daniel Gottschall, a gynecology specialist at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, says the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine for expecting mothers far outweighs the risks.

His statement comes after days of conflicting announcements on the safety of the vaccine for expectant mothers.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination based on recommended priority groups.

But on Tuesday, the World Health Organization said while pregnancy does put women at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, the use of the Moderna vaccine in pregnant women is currently not recommended – unless they are at risk of high exposure.

Dr. Gotschall says if a pregnant woman were to get COVID-19, there is a higher risk of them getting sicker than women in the same health status who are not pregnant. He says the Moderna trial didn't have any pregnant women.

"I understand why their saying it – there isn't a lot of data,” he told News 12. “But the doctors that are practical, that are out there in the real world taking care of patients every day – we are recommending it to our patients."

Dr. Jean Tornatore, the medical director of labor and delivery at Bridgeport Hospital, says it's a personal decision.

Doctors say a pregnant woman who contracts COVID-19 is more likely to be more sick than a woman in the same health status.

Dr. Gotschall is hopeful that they will be able to collect more retrospective data for pregnant women in the coming year.