What effect might coronavirus have on pregnant women?

COVID-19 is a novel disease which we are still learning more about every day, including new information on the way it spreads, who it affects and how severely. Pregnant women have been placed in the vulnerable group during the pandemic and therefore may feel concerned about whether they will be sicker than other people if they do catch it and, most importantly, if it would transmit to their baby.

In this article, we look at the latest information available from the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) on coronavirus in relation to pregnancy and how an expectant mother can protect themselves and lower their risk of catching it.

Why are pregnant women categorised in the vulnerable group?

Pregnant women were placed in the vulnerable group by the Chief Medical Officer as midwives and obstetricians recognise that pregnancy, in a small proportion of women, can alter how the body handles severe viral infections.

Whilst this is the case for some viruses, there is no evidence that pregnant women who contract coronavirus are more at risk of serious complications than any other healthy individuals.
 

How does coronavirus affect pregnant women?

As this article is published in April 2020, there is still limited evidence on the direct correlation between pregnant women and coronavirus, however, generally, so far, pregnant women do not appear to be more seriously unwell than other healthy adults who develop COVID-19.

The RCOG says: ‘It is expected the large majority of pregnant women will experience only mild or moderate cold/flu-like symptoms.’

President of the RCOG, Dr Edward Morris says: ‘We would like to reassure pregnant women that, as things stand, no new evidence has come to light suggesting they are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell compared with other healthy individuals.’
 

If a pregnant woman has COVID-19, will it infect their baby?

Currently, as it stands, according to the RCOG, there is no evidence that the virus can pass to a baby during pregnancy. However, this will be constantly kept under regular review in case there any latest developments.

Initial reports from China showed no evidence of the virus passing from mother to baby. But new information was published on the 26th March, where, in one case from Wuhan, there was stronger evidence that the passing of virus between mother and baby may have occurred.

Some babies that were born to women with symptoms of coronavirus in China were born prematurely. There is no evidence whether COVID-19 caused the early labours or if it was recommended that the baby was born early in order to preserve the mother’s health.
 

What can pregnant women do to reduce the risk of catching coronavirus?

Pregnant women and their family can adhere to the following guidelines:

• Regularly wash your hands

• Avoid contact with someone displaying symptoms of coronavirus
• Avoid non-essential use of public transport where possible
• Work from home
• Avoid gatherings in public spaces
• Avoid gatherings with family and friends - stay in touch via the phone or internet Use telephone or online services to contact your GP

If you're worried that you are displaying symptoms of coronavirus, call the NHS 111 helpline for advice.