COVID While Pregnant: Understanding Risks, Safety, and Protection

Pregnancy is a time filled with joy and anticipation, but also questions and concerns about keeping both you and your baby safe. If you’re worried about getting COVID while pregnant, you’re not alone. Many expectant mothers have questions about how coronavirus affects pregnancy, what risks it poses, and how to protect themselves and their developing baby.

Understanding the facts about COVID-19 during pregnancy can help you make informed decisions about your health care, take appropriate precautions, and know when to seek medical attention. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about COVID while pregnant, from risks and prevention to delivery and breastfeeding.

Understanding COVID-19 Risks During Pregnancy

Research shows that pregnant women can contract COVID-19 at similar rates as non-pregnant individuals. However, pregnancy itself increases the risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19. This elevated risk extends for at least one month after delivery, making it crucial to remain vigilant even in the postpartum period.

The primary concern with COVID while pregnant is that severe illness can affect how well your lungs function, potentially reducing oxygen supply to both you and your baby. Pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to require hospitalization, intensive care, and mechanical ventilation compared to non-pregnant women of the same age.

Factors That Increase Risk

Certain pre-existing conditions can further elevate the risk of severe COVID-19 during pregnancy:

• Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher)
• Pre-existing diabetes or gestational diabetes
• High blood pressure or hypertensive disorders
• Chronic lung conditions including asthma
• Heart disease
• Weakened immune system
• Advanced maternal age (35 years or older)

If you have any of these risk factors, it’s especially important to discuss COVID-19 prevention strategies with your healthcare provider.

How COVID-19 Can Affect Your Pregnancy

While most pregnant women with COVID-19 recover without serious complications, the infection can increase certain pregnancy-related risks:

Complications for Mother

Severe COVID-19 during pregnancy has been associated with:

• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure and organ damage)
• Blood clotting disorders
• Heart complications
• Kidney damage
• HELLP syndrome (a severe form of preeclampsia)
• Increased risk of maternal mortality

Complications for Baby

COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may lead to:

• Preterm birth (delivery before 37 weeks)
• Low birth weight
• Stillbirth (though rare)
• Admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

The good news is that transmission of the virus from mother to baby during pregnancy appears to be rare. Most babies born to mothers with COVID-19 do not test positive for the virus.

Recognizing COVID-19 Symptoms While Pregnant

COVID-19 symptoms in pregnant women are similar to those in the general population. Common symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough (usually dry)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue or unusual tiredness
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

It’s important to note that some pregnancy symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and body aches can overlap with COVID-19 symptoms. If you’re unsure, contact your healthcare provider or get tested.

Prevention Strategies: Protecting Yourself and Your Baby

Taking proactive steps to prevent COVID-19 is the best way to protect yourself and your developing baby.

Get Vaccinated

COVID-19 vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness during pregnancy. Multiple studies have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women. Vaccination during pregnancy also provides antibodies to your baby, offering protection during the first months of life.

Talk to your healthcare provider about:

• Which COVID-19 vaccine is right for you
• The best timing for vaccination during pregnancy
• Staying up to date with boosters
• Any concerns you may have about vaccine safety

Practice Good Hygiene

Simple hygiene measures remain effective in reducing your risk:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap isn’t available
• Avoid touching your face, especially eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly

Maintain Social Distance

While life has largely returned to normal, pregnant women may benefit from extra caution:

• Maintain distance from people who are sick
• Consider wearing a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor spaces, especially during high transmission periods
• Ensure good ventilation in indoor spaces
• Limit exposure to large gatherings when community transmission is high
• Ask household members to follow prevention measures

Test When Appropriate

Know when to test for COVID-19:

• If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms
• After known exposure to someone with COVID-19 (test 3-5 days after exposure)
• Before visiting vulnerable individuals
• Before attending large gatherings

Home test kits are widely available and can provide results quickly. Keep several tests on hand for when you need them.

Prenatal Care Considerations with COVID-19

Maintaining regular prenatal care is crucial throughout your pregnancy, even during a pandemic.

If You Test Positive

If you test positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy:

• Contact your healthcare provider immediately to report your positive test
• Your provider will assess your risk level and symptoms
• You may have virtual appointments to monitor your condition
• Your provider may recommend a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen levels at home
• Treatment options may be discussed based on your symptoms and risk factors
• Additional ultrasounds may be scheduled to monitor fetal growth

Most pregnant women with mild COVID-19 can safely recover at home with supportive care. However, your healthcare team will monitor you closely to ensure both you and your baby remain healthy.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath that’s getting worse
• Persistent chest pain or pressure
• Severe or persistent dizziness or confusion
• Inability to stay awake or difficulty waking
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds
• Decreased fetal movement
• Vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage
• Severe abdominal pain
• Signs of preeclampsia (severe headache, vision changes, upper abdominal pain)

Treatment Options for COVID-19 During Pregnancy

If you develop COVID-19 while pregnant, treatment options are available. The specific approach depends on your symptoms, risk factors, and stage of pregnancy.

For mild cases, supportive care at home may include:

• Rest and adequate hydration
• Monitoring temperature and symptoms
• Safe fever reducers (consult your provider about appropriate medications)
• Monitoring oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter

For moderate to severe cases or high-risk pregnancies, your healthcare provider may recommend medical interventions. However, all treatment decisions should be made in consultation with your healthcare team, who can assess your individual situation and recommend the safest options for you and your baby.

Never start any medication without first consulting your healthcare provider, as some treatments may not be appropriate during pregnancy.

Labor, Delivery, and COVID-19

Testing positive for COVID-19 near your due date understandably causes concern, but many women with COVID-19 have safe deliveries.

Delivery Planning

If you have COVID-19 when labor begins:

• Contact your healthcare provider and birth facility immediately
• Your birth plan may not need to change significantly
• You may be asked to wear a mask during certain parts of labor
• Support persons may need to follow specific safety protocols
• The medical team will wear appropriate personal protective equipment
• You can still have skin-to-skin contact with your baby in most cases

Delivery Method Considerations

COVID-19 infection alone is typically not a reason to change your planned delivery method. However, your healthcare provider may recommend adjustments if:

• You develop severe COVID-19 symptoms affecting oxygen levels
• You have pregnancy complications related to COVID-19, such as preeclampsia
• Fetal monitoring shows concerning patterns

These decisions will be made based on your specific medical situation to ensure the safety of both you and your baby.

Postpartum Care and Breastfeeding with COVID-19

Rooming-In with Your Newborn

Current evidence supports keeping mother and baby together after birth, even if you have COVID-19. The benefits of bonding, breastfeeding, and maternal care typically outweigh the risk of transmission, which remains low.

To minimize transmission risk while caring for your newborn:

• Wear a well-fitting mask when holding or feeding your baby
• Wash hands thoroughly before touching your baby
• Keep your baby’s sleeping area at least 6 feet from your bed when possible
• Ensure good air circulation in your room
• Have someone who is not sick help with baby care when possible

Breastfeeding Safety

The CDC and major medical organizations support breastfeeding for mothers with COVID-19. Research shows that:

• COVID-19 virus has not been detected in breast milk
• Breast milk contains antibodies that may protect your baby
• The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh potential transmission risks

If you choose to breastfeed while you have COVID-19:

• Wash your hands before touching your baby or pump parts
• Wear a mask during feeding
• If pumping, clean all pump parts thoroughly after each use
• Consider having a healthy caregiver give expressed milk to your baby if you’re very ill

If you’re too sick to breastfeed directly, pumping breast milk can help maintain your milk supply and provide nutrition for your baby.

Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

Dealing with COVID-19 during pregnancy can be emotionally challenging. It’s normal to feel anxious, overwhelmed, or worried about your baby’s health.

Managing Anxiety

Consider these strategies to support your mental health:

• Stay informed but limit excessive news consumption
• Connect with other pregnant women or new mothers for support
• Practice stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing or meditation
• Maintain regular communication with your healthcare provider
• Seek professional mental health support if anxiety becomes overwhelming
• Focus on aspects you can control, like prevention measures

Remember that seeking help for mental health concerns is just as important as addressing physical health issues during pregnancy.

Long COVID and Pregnancy

Some people experience lingering symptoms after COVID-19 infection, known as long COVID or post-COVID conditions. Symptoms may include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Joint or muscle pain
• Sleep problems
• Ongoing loss of taste or smell

If you continue experiencing symptoms weeks after your initial COVID-19 infection, discuss this with your healthcare provider. They can help distinguish between normal pregnancy symptoms and long COVID effects, and provide appropriate support.

Protecting Your Household

Your family’s health practices affect your risk of exposure:

• Encourage household members to get vaccinated and stay up to date with boosters
• Establish household rules about masking when sick
• Implement good ventilation practices in your home
• Keep COVID-19 tests available for quick use
• Create a plan for isolating if someone becomes sick
• Educate family members about prevention measures

Open communication with household members about COVID-19 precautions helps create a safer environment for you and your pregnancy.

Planning Ahead: Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

Proactive communication with your healthcare team helps you feel prepared. Consider asking:

• What specific precautions should I take given my risk factors?
• When should I get vaccinated or receive a booster?
• What should I do immediately if I test positive?
• How will COVID-19 affect my prenatal appointment schedule?
• What symptoms should prompt me to seek emergency care?
• What is the hospital’s policy for COVID-positive patients during delivery?
• Can my support person still be present if I have COVID-19?
• How long after infection should I wait before scheduling appointments?
• What additional monitoring might be needed if I contract COVID-19?

Having these conversations early helps reduce anxiety and ensures you know exactly what to do if you do contract COVID-19.

Looking Forward: COVID-19 and Future Pregnancies

If you had COVID-19 during a previous pregnancy or before conceiving, you may wonder how it affects future pregnancies.

Current evidence suggests that:

• Having COVID-19 doesn’t appear to affect future fertility
• Previous COVID-19 infection doesn’t necessarily increase risks in subsequent pregnancies
• Each pregnancy should be evaluated individually
• Vaccination remains important for protecting future pregnancies

Discuss your COVID-19 history with your healthcare provider when planning future pregnancies so they can provide personalized guidance.

Key Takeaways

Understanding COVID-19 during pregnancy empowers you to make informed decisions about your health:

• Pregnancy increases the risk of severe COVID-19, making prevention crucial
• COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective during pregnancy
• Most pregnant women with COVID-19 recover without serious complications
• Maintaining prenatal care remains essential, even if you test positive
• Transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy is rare
• Breastfeeding is safe and recommended for mothers with COVID-19
• Mental health support is an important part of managing COVID-19 during pregnancy
• Open communication with your healthcare provider helps you navigate any challenges

While COVID-19 adds another layer of concern to pregnancy, remember that millions of women have safely navigated pregnancy during the pandemic. With appropriate precautions, medical care, and support, you can protect your health and give your baby the best start in life.

If you have concerns about COVID while pregnant, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. They are your best resource for personalized guidance based on your unique situation and medical history.

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – COVID-19 and Pregnancy
• World Health Organization – COVID-19 and Pregnancy
• Mayo Clinic – Pregnancy and COVID-19
• March of Dimes – Coronavirus and Pregnancy