Women who have been identified as being at higher risk of developing a severe illness include:
- Pregnant individuals with significant heart disease (congenital or acquired) are classified as clinically extremely vulnerable and should therefore follow current Government Guidance found here
- Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds
- Those over the age of 35
- Those with BMI of 30 or more
- Those pre-existing medical problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
Your care will be individual to you, discussions will take place with your community midwife or maternity team and risk assessments will take place to propose the best antenatal and postnatal care plan for you.
If you develop coronavirus you are still most likely to have no symptoms or a mild illness from which you will make a full recovery.
If you are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds you are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell and being admitted to hospital so it’s important that if you feel your symptoms are worsening or if you are not getting better, you should seek medical help.
The NHS in England has written to all maternity units in the country calling on them to take action to minimise the additional risk of coronavirus on BAME women and their babies. Including:
- Increasing support for at-risk pregnant women, such as reviewing at risk women more regularly, offering more appointments and ensuring more regular communication
- Ensuring hospitals discuss vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy with all women. Women low in vitamin D may be more vulnerable to coronavirus so women with darker skin or those who always cover their skin when outside may be at particular risk of vitamin D insufficiency and should consider taking a daily supplement of vitamin D all year. Vitamin D supplements are available from most pharmacies and supermarkets, and for eligible families through the NHS Healthy Start scheme