Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, 44, announced on the show yesterday that she’s pregnant with her second child and is due in December. Savannah and her husband, Michael Feldman, also have daughter Vale, nearly two. Savannah’s pregnancy will mean that she won’t be joining her co-hosts at the Olympics in Rio this summer, due to the Zika virus and its potential to cause serious birth defects. That sounds very wise, in fact I’m concerned that the Olympics are still being held in Rio because the Zika virus not only poses a direct risk to pregnant women when transmitted by mosquitos, but can be transmitted sexually from men to women. It’s unknown if it can be transmitted from women to men or through bodily fluids like saliva. (It’s thought that past Zika infection will not affect future pregnancies once the virus is out of the system. Here’s an article on the measures which are being taken to protect athletes in Rio this year.)
Anyway back to Savannah, who shared her news with a little segment on Today and was congratulated by everyone on the show. Hoda said she went to dinner with Savannah and noticed that she wasn’t drinking her wine and Savannah admitted “I was fake drinking for some time.” You can see that below and here’s People’s report:
The Today co-host dropped the baby bomb on Tuesday’s episode of the NBC show after gathering the crew for a friendly game of Fishbowl — in which the anchors answer “burning questions.” Naturally, Guthrie was forced to answer a seemingly silly question: “Are you pregnant?”
“Yeah! I am pregnant,” the 44-year-old declared as her fellow co-hosts clapped and cheered
She announced that she and husband Michael Feldman are expecting another baby in December. The two are already parents to 22-month-old daughter Vale.
“It’s hard for words to contain all the excitement Mike and I have about expecting a new baby in December. When Vale was born, our happiness was complete,” Guthrie wrote in a statement on the Today show site.
“The thought of getting to add to our family now is beyond every hope, dream and prayer I have ever had. It is not simply double the joy — it is joy multiplied infinitely.”
Though Guthrie is excited about the news, it means she will be opting out of the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this year, given the widespread impact of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. The virus is known for being connected to severe birth defects, and its latest outbreak began in Brazil.
“I’m not going to be able to go to Rio. The doctors say that I shouldn’t, because of the CDC, because of the Zika virus,” Guthrie addressed her colleagues on the Today show. “You’re going to have to go to female beach volleyball without me, Matt. Try to carry on.”
But Guthrie will have plenty to keep her busy back home.
“You guys will have a great time, and I’ll hold down the fort,” she adds. “We’re going to be in the height of the campaign season, so I’ll be here.”
It sounds like this baby is very much wanted and that Savannah and her husband planned for it. I’m right around her age and I can’t imagine having another baby at this point, but to each their own.
Savannah also posted this video of her breaking the news to her little daughter Vale, who did not take it well. She’s two. She was probably upset about something else and will forget about this and need it explained several times. I do not miss that age at all but I do miss having a baby in general, just not all the other stuff that comes along with that. Congratulations to Savannah and Michael on their happy news!
Baby Vale's reaction to finding out she's going to be a big sister is priceless! cc: @savannahguthriehttps://t.co/MGudfUsF7M
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 7, 2016
Here’s Savannah’s announcement:
#CongratsSavannah! @SavannahGuthrie and Mike are expecting baby No. 2! https://t.co/l9b3ckBwU0 pic.twitter.com/TYkBcDIrqu
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 7, 2016
photos credit: WENN.com and Getty
All those doctors said that Zika might cause brain problems (symptoms similar to MS) in adults too. So…yeah. Go right ahead to this Games, everyone. (Seems ill-advised at this point.)
Anyway, congrats to her!
–TheRealPinnky
I wouldn’t go either, Pinky. These early stages of knowledge about a new disease are terrifying and first they say it won’t hurt you unless you’re pregnant, then it will…who knows? I’m a chicken, I guess.
Nope GNAT. You’re not a chicken. Just sensible. I’ve worked in public health for 30 years now and Zika virus has me very concerned.
Congress says not to worry! They refuse to consider the President and CDC’s request for funding to fight zika.
Amazing isn’t it? They will expend a ridiculous amount of time and resources trying to clamp down women’s reproductive rights but they won’t invest in preventive measures that could save the next generation from disaster.
I’ve read that athletes are slowly starting to drop out too. I kind of get it for the older athletes who feel it’s their last chance to do the Olympics… But younger ones? Uh wait four years and stay home!
The scientists are saying the only significant risk is to pregnancy plus fewer mosquitoes this time of year yada yada.
I feel bad for her but its a tragedy for all really. I mean Brazil won it, they’ve invested billions at this point, their economy would be devastated by a pull out especially now with their political crisis. I feel bad for those athletes who cant attend for fear of infecting their pregnant partners but if it comes down to a choice between the certain ruin of a nation or the unlikely possibility of infection, I know where I stand.
Scientists have no way of knowing what the risks are yet, and they shouldn’t pretend they do. think of the consequences if this spreads all over the world to women who want to have children. Maybe other nations could get together and try to help Brazil with the financial repercussions of a pull out. I’m not saying the Olympics should be called off. At this point it’s each person’s decision, I guess. But I wouldn’t go at my age, forget about it if I was in my childbearing years.
It’s really frightening, especially when you consider that there’s the potential to become infected at the games and then spread it all over the world (even mores so than it’s already being spread) since there’s such a wide range of people there from all over.
Very good point. Yikes, this is such a disaster. Athletes are so health conscious, too, I can’t imagine taking this risk, pregnant or not. I get that they have been training for this moment but the risks and uncertainties seem so great.
Yes – nevermind that the Olympic village is always rumored to be hook-up central for the athletes.
It does indeed sound scary, and when I first heard that WHO basically said “meh, don’t bother cancelling the Olympics”, I was horrified. But then I looked up some stats. Cancelling the Olympics would do nothing to prevent the spread of Zika across countries.
They are estimating that about 500,000 people will fly into Brazil due to the Olympics. Athletes, journalists, family members, audience, etc., etc. But in 2015, 240 MILLION people moved into and out of areas that have active Zika transmission.
Half a million is really just a drop in the bucket. Cancelling the Olympics would remove less than 1% of the travel to/from infected areas. Check out the map of countries with active Zika infections (http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/zika_virus_infection/zika-outbreak/Pages/Zika-countries-with-transmission.aspx). That’s waaay beyond the point of being controllable via travel-restrictions.
I understand your worries about the Olympics but I think that everyone has to also understand what it would mean for an athlete to pull out of the Olympics.
I am an athlete hoping hoping hoping to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Rio. Rio is a big deal to us athletes. It’s our motivation, the dream that keep us going, keeps us fighting every day and pushing past our limits. It’s the dream that we’re afraid to say out loud for fear that it might vanish up into open air. It’s the ultimate goal after 4 years of sacrifices, self doubt, roller coaster rides of emotions and using every penny you’ve got to get better at your sport. Zika virus is a potential and somewhat hypothetical risk – but the fight that you’ve been fighting the last 4 years is so real. It’s not easy to turn your back on that dream because of a virus that you know nothing about.
It would be incredibly sad to give up your dream and four years of hard work. It is sadder for a child to give up his or her entire lifetime.
I completely understand. If I was good enough to be competing at the olympics I would’ve done absolutely anything to get there. I also have friends that have trained their whole lives to make it and I don’t think anything would stop them from going.
Good luck… I hope your dream comes true. Im sure you’ve done everything you possibly can to be selected.
What sport are you competing in?
I love the Olympics / Paralympics and can’t wait to tune in from Australia!
I wish you much success in these Olympic Games….Oh, and Deet. I wish you Deet.
–TheRealPinky
GNAT the athletes would likely plan their families around testing and potential infection and it’s pretty smug to assume they haven’t thought of that. In their mind it’s worth the risk of waiting which – in the grand scheme of things – isn’t all that long. Especially if you’re an athlete at your peak who plans to continue competing for another several years anyway.
lwo I worked with our national Paralympics team for London – best of luck to you!
Child is probably just still ticked off that they named her Vale.
Hey! That’s my name!
I love the name! It’s the nickname of Valentino Rossi, one of my favorite athletes of all time.
Congratulations to both of them, and eventually, all three if little Vale comes around. She seemed…nonthrilled. But then, my two year old grandneice’s favorite word is “noooo.” Followed by a wail of despair. We call her Our Lady of Misfortune.
Anyway, I hope they don’t name this baby after another city.
Our Lady of Misfortune, love it! That’s a nickname that must persist through adulthood.
We hope not! I’m not sure we could take it!
This just sounds like the perfect shitstorm to spread Zika worldwide in to high gear. Let’s have representatives from the entire world go to Brazil! I’m due in October so this makes me incredibly nervous for any new cases and the babies and families they affect.
And to put it in perspective, I’m more worried about the cases of whooping cough that keep popping up in California but the possible potential of Zika could be devastating. I hope it’s a lot of hype or we grossly overestimated its potential impact and not something we look back on years from now saying well, hindsight about those 2016 Olympics!
Coco, I just wanted to let you (and everyone else) know that there is another virus that is more common and equally devastating– CMV (short for cytomegalovirus). CMV disables 1 in 750 babies in the U.S. -that’s one baby every hour. Unfortunately most doctors do not discuss this common virus with their patients and it hast had the amount of media coverage as Zika. Almost everyone will have the virus at some point in their life, but if you contract or have a reactivation during pregnancy it can affect the baby. I know from personal experience as my oldest child was born with CMV and disabled by it. I had never heard of it and I was an obsessive reader on all things fertility and pregnancy. I had no symptoms of being ill that I recall. It typically manifests as similar to cold symptoms. You can ask your doctor for a blood test. Several states now have legislation that CMV be discussed with pregnant women. You can find out more at http://www.nationalcmv.org .
I know. I’m worried that people will unknowingly bring live mosquitos or larvae back to their homes with them. Not sure the lifespan of a mosquito but surely they can survive a 5-10 hour flight. Maybe that’s a stretch, but I wish scientists would address the probability/improbability of that scenario. Has anyone read anything?
Scary. Health to the baby. She’s no spring chicken.
Smart ab the Zika putting her and baby first.
As a brazilian, I’m offended to read all those comments that make it seems we’re in the middle of an ebola situation and that everyone will get sick. The Olympics will be held during winter here and the epidemic has been slowing down for the past months.
And as incredible as it might seem to you all, for those who aren’t pregnant, it’s a very easy curable disease and yes, as many others, transmissible through sex, that’s why we can use something named condom.
FYI, the virus was brought to Brazil by athletes from the French Polynesian a few years ago and you don’t see us treating them like the entire world are treating us right now.
I don’t think it’s meant personally against Brazil or its people, but it is a disease with devasting consequences to women of childbearing age. Excuse us for not wanting it in our country. Sorry that offends you.
We didn’t wanted in our country either and it happened, so don’t come.
Of course you didn’t. No one said you did. And I’m truly sorry it happened. I don’t understand why you feel like you’re being blamed or treated unfairly. But that’s your choice.
I just retread the comments and no one is reacting as if this is Ebola or placing blame on Brazil. It’s a new and harmful disease that we don’t truly know the scope of impact yet. And yes, for those of us who are pregnant, it is damn scary. All of the unknowns during pregnancy make you anxious enough and here is something new that has affected many babies and families already. All one wants is a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby and it is heartbreaking seeing those affected in your country. Should they cancel the olympics? I have no idea as it seems the cost of doing so to your country and athletes from all over the world would be incredible. But, you cannot deny its effects and that we don’t really understand the full impact this disease could have. It seems like rotten timing for everyone that the Olympics are being held there when this is happening.
Look Mia – I get why you’re mad. But you’re projecting those feelings on people who haven’t actually said anything out of line. And I don’t think it’s fair to be mad that people don’t WANT to risk their health. Especially when you’re also saying “well we didn’t want it either but we have it”. Well, why would anyone else WANT it? You know what I mean? And there hasn’t been nearly the kind of freak out that ebola received. The scariest part of Zika really is how little we know. And since it’s something that can be transmitted sexually and by mosquito and affect pregnancies – I can’t blame athletes and other people wanting to drop out.
While it’s being held in the winter – guess when that initial outbreak started? Winter.
Very well stated, Erinn.
Mia V., I understand not wanting the negative attention focused on your country. But at the same time, people are just concerned about the health and safety of the athletes and what will happen after they leave Rio. With the amount of uncertainty around Zika (initially it was said to be milder than Chik-V and now we’re discovering that it’s far worse), I’m so worried about the athletes and everyone who will be traveling to Rio for the Olympics. With the Zika virus and infrastructural problems I’ve read about, I’m seriously concerned. I’m pretty sure our athletes won’t even consider pulling out (esp. Usain) so all we can do is watch, express our concern and continue to protect ourselves from bites.
I hear you Mia V. and I feel for the people of Brazil. This is your moment! I’m sad this situation is spoiling your event, and I truly hope you have a fabulous Olympics! Please try not to take it personally. I’m from Atlanta, where we hosted the summer Olympics once upon a time. It was horribly spoiled by a crazy bomber, and we were just horrified and ashamed about it.
Well I’m brazilian and I’m not offended at all, I definitely get it and in fact I’m very much worried about ourselves, brazilian women in general. We don’t have the right to decide to end a pregnancy here and once pregnant they don’t care if we have a structure to raise a baby with all the medical care and support it will need. It’s a christian country and it doesn’t matter if I’m an atheist, If I actually believe it’s the selfish and cruel thing to do to have a baby that will suffer so much. Some of those babies are born blind and deaf, nobody puts themselves in the position of the child, it’s so upsetting.
Im trying to understand how is it that in the middle of this/; the water problems/the presidential situation with the Petrobras thing and half on congress in the middle of probes and people dissapearing from favelas and the displacement of residents to beautify or whatever tf and the constant protests and infrastructure not being 100% done this whole Olympics thing is still a go, like honestly we could really cut down in Olympics altogether, the governing bodies are super corrupt, bribable, host nations barely break even, then the jingoistic crap, athletes doping… It’d be cute if they could just do them in Greece every 8 years and call it a night ( i’m also talking about FIFA and the entire Qatar disaster A-brewing)
I’m surprised more people aren’t boycotting the Olympics. But as usual the entertainment of the middle and upper classes is more important than stopping poor people from being victims of social cleansing.
Don’t forget about all of the corporate endorsements, the money NBC paid to host it – the money people paid to go there. It would be an epic financial mess that no one wants to deal with. They should for public safety, but they won’t. Money talks.
YES YOU GUYS! is a massive Sh*show and I don’t even understand why aren’t most countries just saying: Look Let’s not Is a waste of Money and a safety issue at this point the actual possible problems in the host country and posed to attendees and competitors far outweighs the feel good montages
I really hoped (when all this information came out) that the governing body would put the brakes on plans for August and really get things sorted out or just move the games (this would totally suck for Brazil, having invested a lot of money in preparations already). But at this point, that’s definitely not going to happen. At this point, all we can do is hope there are no disasters.
You said it QQ! The issues you raise were also issues (many of them) with the Beijing Olympics. Yeah, it was a great show, but at what cost? Terrible human rights violations in that situation and the upcoming WC in Qatar. These are real issues that need to be investigated and discussed.
Agree with everything you said.
I read in the news it can be spread thru even just oral sex. Who uses condoms with oral sex? Also, I hope that mosquitos don’t sting one of Savannah’s colleagues when they are back in USA and then sting Savannah. It’s devastating for an athlete to be training so hard for the Olympics and then not compete because of fears for spreading it to an unborn child. The baby will have little to NO brain. Severe retardation, coordination, visual problems.
Honestly, I never considered what most commenters here are worried about. Im living in a place with Zika and although it has impacted quite a bit we dont really worry about it unless its a pregnant woman.
I guess we find it just as annoying as dengue and chikungunya.
But isn’t there a possibility of paralysis for anyone that becomes infected? The pregnancy thing is horrible, but I would think even male athletes wouldn’t want to take a risk if their body is their instrument.
The CDC has not ruled out a link to Guillian Barre syndrome which is paralysis of the face, so yes this isn’t just something that pregnant women need to worry about.
The problem is that extreme deforestation has helped these mosquitos become exposed to human populations and because humans travel worldwide in a short period of time, especially during an event like the Olympics, the risk of a world wide pandemic is quite high.
But the IOC is corrupt as hell and doesn’t care.
GBS is not just paralysis of the face…