What expectant mothers should know during the COVID-19 pandemic
We’ve heard many questions from our patients about how to take care of themselves and their babies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our OB-GYNs and midwives are here for you, ready to answer your questions and make sure you’re getting the care you need.
Get in touch with our pregnancy experts
We know you never thought you’d be
Protect yourself and your baby from COVID-19
If you’re feeling sick, treat yourself with rest and lots of fluids. Consult with your OB-GYN or midwife on the best options for managing symptoms – like fever or muscle aches – during pregnancy. We also suggest
If your symptoms are severe or you have increasing shortness of breath, call your primary care clinic, OB-GYN or midwife.
COVID-19 vaccines are recommended
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all people who are pregnant or breastfeeding get vaccinated against COVID-19. This recommendation is based on an analysis of nearly 2,500 pregnant people who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series before 20 weeks of pregnancy. In particular, the rate of miscarriages among pregnant women who received a COVID-19 vaccine was similar to the expected rate of miscarriage among all women. This suggests there isn’t any evidence for an increased risk of miscarriage due to vaccination.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as well as the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, also recommend pregnant or nursing mothers get vaccinated against COVID-19. To help you make an informed decision, discuss COVID-19 vaccination with your doctor or midwife.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
We’re here to provide care for you and your baby in the safest way possible. You can get prenatal and postpartum care with a video visit, phone visit or an in-person visit. Our doctors and midwives are working hard to make sure you get the same personalized, expert care with whatever visit type you schedule.
During in-person appointments, we’re making sure it’s safe to visit our clinics, birth centers and hospitals. We’ve have
To schedule a visit, you can
No, you don’t need to make any changes to your birth plan right now. Our
We’re limiting the number of visitors to our hospitals and birth centers to lower the spread of COVID-19.
You’ll also have the support and expertise of our team of nurses, doctors, midwives, and other labor and delivery specialists to care for you every step of the way.
No, a hospital-based birth center is still the safest place to deliver your baby. Unexpected complications can arise during labor and delivery. At a birth center, doctors and nurses are there to help with any difficulties.
Our hospital-based birth centers are dedicated to caring for mothers and babies. We’re taking
We recommend following
Transmission of COVID-19 to your baby during pregnancy isn’t likely. The virus hasn’t been detected in amniotic fluid or breastmilk.
After birth, it is possible for babies to catch COVID-19 from person-to-person spread (also called community spread). If you have concerns or questions about you or your baby’s risk, talk to your OB-GYN or midwife.
Breastfeeding is a safe way to feed your baby – the virus hasn’t been found in breastmilk.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before feeding your baby.
- If you use a breast pump, make sure to properly
clean your breast pump after each use. - If you think you’re sick, wear a mask or face covering while directly breastfeeding your baby.
If you have COVID-19, the CDC recommends pumping breastmilk and having a healthy family member or friend feed your baby.
In any pregnancy, there is a slight risk of miscarrying. We don’t yet have studies about miscarriage and COVID-19, but we do know that similar conditions like
Taking precautions like washing your hands regularly, wearing a mask, social distancing and considering the