pregnancy

• Being pregnant does not increase the risk of consequences from COVID-19
• If you do contract the virus during pregnancy it will not be passed on to your baby
• There is no evidence to suggest that there is an increased risk of miscarriage
• There is no evidence to suggest that your baby’s development will be affected

If you are pregnant and have symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently returned from an area of the world with an increased risk of coronavirus transmission, you should phone NHS 111 or if in Scotland, NHS 24 on 111 or call your GP surgery.

If you are pregnant and have been advised to self-isolate, the guidance currently recommends:

• Stay indoors and avoid contact with others for 14 days
• Delay routine appointments such as growth scans or tests
• Do not go to school, work, NHS settings or public areas
• Do not use public transport
• Stay at home and do not allow any visitors
• Ventilate the rooms by opening a window
• Separate yourself from other members of the household as far as possible and use separate towels, crockery, utensils and eat at different times
• Ask friends and family to get supplies and run errands, ensuring they leave any deliveries outside for you

birth

If you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19:

• The current advice is to have your delivery at an Obstetric unit to ensure your baby can have continuous monitoring from medical professionals
• Medical professionals will follow your birth preferences as closely as possible
• There is currently no evidence to suggest that having a C-Section is safer
• A planned induction may be delayed if it is considered as a safer option 

post birth

If the mother has been tested positive for COVID-19:

• There is no evidence to suggest that the virus can be passed to your baby through your breastmilk
• The benefits of breastfeeding still outweigh the potential risks of passing on the virus so you should continue breastfeeding your baby (if you have chosen to breastfeed)
• Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before touching a baby
• Wear a facemask to minimise the chance of transmitting the virus to your baby - this is because the virus is spread through droplets in the air (caused by coughing and sneezing)
• Ensure you thoroughly sterilise breast pumps and bottles if you are feeding your baby with expressed or formula milk