Are pregnant women at risk?

Advice and guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)

What effect does coronavirus have on pregnant women?

Pregnant women are at no greater risk of becoming seriously unwell than other healthy adults if they develop coronavirus.

What effect will coronavirus have on my baby if I am diagnosed with the infection?

It is considered unlikely that if you have the virus it would cause problems with your baby’s development. There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk of miscarriage.

What research is being done to monitor the impact of coronavirus on pregnant women?

The UK is conducting near-real-time surveillance (observation) of women who are hospitalised and test positive for coronavirus during pregnancy, through well-established systems already used by all maternity units – this is the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS).

Why are pregnant women in a vulnerable group?

The decision to place pregnant women in the vulnerable category has been driven by caution. Pregnancy in a small proportion of women can alter how the body handles severe viral infections.

I am pregnant – what should I do?

You should follow government social distancing advice, stay away from public places and avoid anyone who has coronavirus symptoms. It is still considered necessary for pregnant women to go out for essentials, such as food shopping, exercise and to attend antenatal appointments. Most pregnant women who have become seriously ill with coronavirus were in their third trimester - emphasising the importance of social distancing from 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have significant heart disease, you should follow ‘shielding’ measures to keep yourself safe.

What is the advice if I am in my first trimester/less than 12 weeks?

Even during the pandemic, it’s important that if you have any concerns, you contact your GP, midwife or local early pregnancy unit straight away to discuss them. Some symptoms, such as pelvic pain, cramping and/or bleeding during early pregnancy, are linked to ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage so you should seek urgent medical advice.

How can I protect my mental wellbeing during the pandemic?

You should be asked about your mental health at every contact with a health professional. By acknowledging these difficulties, healthcare professionals can help to contain some of these anxieties. If you require support, you should be signposted to resources which can be remotely provided, where possible.

What is the travel advice if I am pregnant?

If you are in the UK, you should follow the advice given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. All individuals, including pregnant women, should ensure they have adequate insurance arrangements prior to travel. You should also check that your travel insurance will provide cover for birth and care of your newborn baby if you give birth while abroad.

Should I plan a pregnancy during the coronavirus pandemic?

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) recommend that when considering a pregnancy, women and their partners consider the risks of coronavirus transmission associated with routine contacts with healthcare professionals during pregnancy, particularly if pregnancy complications may necessitate frequent hospital attendance.

How will the pandemic affect my routine antenatal and postnatal appointments?

The NHS is working to ensure that you, your baby and your family are supported and cared for during these uncertain times. This means that there may be some changes to how, when and where you attend essential routine appointments and how safe care and support are given to you. Your local maternity team may reduce routine appointments, provide more home visits or deliver some care and support over the phone or by video to reduce the number of times you need to travel and attend hospital/clinics. You will be informed of any changes to your care in advance.

How many antenatal appointments will I have?

You will have at least six face-to-face antenatal appointments in total. Where possible, essential scans/tests and routine antenatal care will be offered within a single appointment. This is to prevent multiple journeys and visits to clinics/hospital, and will involve contact with as few staff as possible to prevent the spread of coronavirus to you, your family and other patients. SOURCE: WWW.RCOG.ORG.UK / DESIGN: MARK HALL