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If you're pregnant, you may be unsure how coronavirus (COVID-19) could affect you, your baby and your pregnancy care.
It's important to tell your midwife or maternity team if you have symptoms of coronavirus. You should also ask them for help with any other concerns as you usually would.
Pregnancy and your risk
There's no evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus.
But pregnant women have been included in the list of people at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable) as a precaution.
This is because pregnant women can sometimes be more at risk from viruses like flu.
It's not clear if this happens with coronavirus. But because it's a new virus, it's safer to include pregnant women in the moderate-risk group.
It may be possible for you to pass coronavirus to your baby before they are born. But when this has happened, the babies have got better.
There's no evidence coronavirus causes miscarriage or affects how your baby develops in pregnancy.
What to do if you're pregnant
If you're pregnant, it's important you:
- wash your hands regularly
- stay at home as much as possible and follow the advice on social distancing, such as staying at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from other people
- stay away from anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus
You still need to go to all of your pregnancy (antenatal) scans and appointments unless you're told not to.
Appointments and scans
You'll still have regular appointments and scans while you're pregnant. But there may be some changes.
You may find that:
- some midwife appointments are online, by phone or by video call
- you may be asked to wear a mask or gown when you're in a hospital or clinic
- some appointments may be cancelled or rescheduled – if an appointment is cancelled, it will be rescheduled, or you'll be able to rebook it
This is to help keep everyone safe and stop the spread of coronavirus.
If you're unsure if you can bring your partner to your appointment, ask your midwife or maternity team.
Important
If you're well, it's really important you go to all your appointments and scans for the health of you and your baby.
Hospitals and clinics are making sure it's safe for pregnant women to go to appointments.
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