Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives

Q. Is Covid-19 more dangerous if you’re pregnant?

A. There is no evidence that healthy pregnant women are at higher risk of experiencing more than mild symptoms of coronavirus. However, for women in the third trimester (28 weeks pregnant and beyond) and those who have underlying health conditions, the virus may have a more severe impact. If you fall into either category, as a precaution you are advised to practice social distancing.

Q. If I contract it while pregnant, can I pass it to my baby?

A. There is no evidence that the virus can pass to your developing baby while you are pregnant (this is called vertical transmission). Two cases of possible vertical transmission have been reported. In both cases, it remains unclear whether transmission was prior to or soon after birth.

Q. Why are pregnant women classed as a “vulnerable” group? women are still no more likely to contract coronavirus than the general population. What we do know is that in a small proportion of pregnant women their bodies change how they handle severe viral infections.

Q. Should I attend routine antenatal appointments? A. Antenatal and postnatal care when you are pregnant and have a new baby is essential to ensure the wellbeing of pregnant women and their babies, and we would urge all pregnant women who are well to attend sessions as normal. If you are pregnant and have a possible coronavirus infection, you should call to defer routine visits until after the isolation period is over.

Q. Can I attend antenatal appointments if I’m in self-isolation?

A. Women should contact their maternity unit to find out which essential appointments they will have to attend as long as they have no signs or symptoms. Other nonessential visits may be done over the phone.