COVID-19 and Pregnancy

YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY

Healthy pregnant women do not appear more likely than other healthy adults to become infected with the COVID-19 infection. Pregnancy itself alters the body’s protective immune system and response to viral infections, and some pregnant women infected with Coronavirus can, very occasionally, develop more severe symptoms. However, the majority of pregnant women will only experience mild to moderate symptoms. Some evidence now also suggests that transmission of infection from a woman to her baby inside the womb or during birth may be likely, although the number of pregnancies affected and the significance to the baby has yet to be determined. Pregnant woman have therefore been placed in the ‘vulnerable group’ by the UK Government. This means that they should reduce social contact with others and maintain social distancing.

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

If you are concerned for your wellbeing or your baby’s wellbeing please get in touch with your 24 hour maternity services:

Barnsley Hospital: 01226 432249

Barnsley Facebook (Non urgent enquiries only Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm)

Doncaster & Basseltlaw Hospitals: 01302 642711 or 01302 642712

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Maternity Services Facebook (Non urgent enquiries only Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm)

Rotherham Hospital: 01709 427700

The Jessop Wing, Sheffield Teaching Hospital: 0114 2668091

Pregnant women should continue to follow the latest government guidance on HANDS- FACE- SPACE (social distancing) and avoid anyone who is isolating due to coronavirus. During your third trimester (more than 28 weeks’ pregnant) you should be particularly attentive to social distancing.

Key ways to care for yourself and baby include:

Keeping mobile and hydrated
Staying active with regular exercise, a healthy balanced diet and take a daily folic acid and vitamin D supplement
It is important to still attend for all your routine appointments unless you are advised not to
Get in contact with your maternity team if you have concerns about your wellbeing or the wellbeing of your baby

Taking care of yourself and your baby

Caring for your baby:

Face masks should NOT be used for babies and children under 3 years of age

Wearing a face mask in this age group can put babies and children at serious risk of harm or death:

1. Babies and young children have smaller airways so breathing through a mask is harder for them

2. Masks could increase the risk of suffocation because they are harder to breathe through

3. Babies are unable to remove the mask should they have trouble breathing

4. Infants could be at risk of becoming tangled, especially if they try to remove a mask, potentially causing serious injury

5. Older infants or young toddlers are not likely to keep the mask on and will touch their face more to try and remove it

Some more useful links:

Coronavirus symptoms in children

Coronavirus: parent information for newborn babies

Coronavirus: advice for parents

Information on Safer Sleeping is available from The Lullaby Trust

The government has produced a document which includes useful information for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, around the Covid-19 vaccination. They are available on the Gov.uk website to download in different languages:

The document is also available in different versions, including:

An easy-read version of this leaflet is available for people with a learning disability and their carers.
British Sign Language videos are available to view and download.
A Braille version of this leaflet is available to order.
An audio version is available to download.
A quick links poster with QR codes to the COVID-19 vaccination: a guide on pregnancy and breastfeeding and the Pregnancy: how to help protect you and your baby leaflets is available to download.