pregnant woman by window

COVID-19: What Pregnant Women Need To Know

Community Health Network is resolute in our dedication to the health of our expecting mothers and babies. A vital part of staying healthy is staying informed as communities wind down COVID-19 response and safety measures. We’ve put together this list of commonly asked questions to help keep you and your growing family informed.

Your Delivery Plan

Am I at higher risk for COVID-19 while I’m pregnant?

Pregnancy can cause changes to your immune system that can cause any viral illness to be more severe. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), pregnant women with COVID-19 are at an increased risk of more severe illness compared to women who are not pregnant, especially for pregnant women with comorbidities like obesity and diabetes.

If you are pregnant, you should take extra safety precautions such as:

  • Get vaccinated and a booster shot
  • Get tested if you feel ill, even with mild symptoms
  • If you test positive, isolate and quarantine according to CDC recommendations
  • Wash your hands often
  • Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone not a part of your household
  • Stay away from anyone who is sick
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces every day
  • Do not travel if it's not urgent

Is it safe to give birth at a hospital?

If you are planning to give birth in our hospitals, we advise that this is still the safest plan. All of our rooms are private, individual suites where you will have a safe and intimate experience for the duration of your stay. The risks of home birth vary with each woman and each pregnancy.

To ensure the safety of our patients and caregivers, we are taking extra safety precautions in all of our hospitals and sites of care.

  • All visitors are screened upon entry.
  • Delivery patients displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are checked into L&D rooms located away from other L&D rooms upon arrival.
  • Common areas of our sites of care are disinfected frequently and thoroughly.

Reach out to your provider if you have any questions about our safety precautions.

Are maternity education classes still available?

Yes, both in-person and virtual childbirth education classes are available. For descriptions of classes and more information about how to register, click here.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

The Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the CDC recommend COVID-19 vaccination for all eligible persons aged 6 months and older, including women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, currently trying to get pregnant, or may become pregnant.

It is safe to be vaccinated at any time during pregnancy and it is recommended to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. You do not have to delay or stop breastfeeding due to vaccination.

People who are pregnant may also receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot after they complete the primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor about the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters you’ve received for guidance on any next steps. ACOG recommends that everyone should receive a bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine booster dose after completing the primary COVID-19 vaccine dose or a monovalent booster.

The COVID-19 primary and booster vaccines are also safe to receive at the same time as other vaccines such as influenza and Tdap.

Pregnant women are a high-risk group for COVID-19, as infection poses an increased risk of preterm birth, severe disease requiring ICU admission, need for a ventilator or breathing assistance, and death, compared to non-pregnant women.

Growing evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy suggests that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy:

  • COVID-19 vaccines do not cause COVID-19 infection, including in people who are pregnant or their babies.
  • Vaccination during pregnancy builds antibodies that might protect the baby.
  • There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men. However, women who are considering or undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment should contact their fertility provider’s office for guidance.

If you have questions about the vaccine and pregnancy, please discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.

Sources: CDC, Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Visitation Guidelines/Restrictions

Masks are no longer required for entry to facilities and seasonal flu and RSV restrictions have been lifted. Visitors are asked to self screen for illness before visiting. Any visitor showing symptoms of respiratory illness, including flu or COVID-19, or who doesn’t pass the COVID-19 screening will be asked to leave the hospital.

Please review our current visitor guidelines for the latest visitation information for the maternity and NICU units.

How can I contact my friends and family during my stay?

All of our delivering hospitals have a tablet device in each room equipped with FaceTime and Skype. You can video chat with your loved ones who aren’t able to visit during your stay. Please note that you will need an Apple ID to use FaceTime or a Skype account to use Skype. If you don’t have an Apple ID or a Skype account, these apps will prompt you to create an account using your email address. Set up is easy and only takes a few minutes.

Are certified doula services still available?

Yes. If you’ve arranged for a professionally trained and/or certified doula, the doula can be in the room in addition to your permitted visitors.

Please note that your doula must be able to provide credentials before they may enter the hospital. If you intended to use an unlicensed family member as a birth coach, unfortunately at this time they will not be allowed entry unless that individual is one of your permitted visitors.

After Your Baby Is Born

We understand that you’ll probably have just as many questions after delivery as you did before. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

Is my newborn at risk for COVID-19?

Babies are high-risk for infectious diseases of all kinds, not just COVID-19. Rest assured that your newborn will receive the same exceptional care at Community as always to keep them healthy — in addition to the extra precautions in place during this situation.

Since COVID-19 is a novel disease, there isn’t a lot of research on how it may affect pregnancies. That being said, there’s currently no evidence to suggest that an infected mother would give birth to an infected child.

Is it safe to breastfeed?

Yes. There’s currently no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can be transmitted through breast milk.

If you suspect that you’re developing symptoms of COVID-19, isolate yourself and call your provider. You can pump and have a healthy family member feed your baby until you’re sure of your condition.

Can friends and family come visit my newborn at home?

Even people who don’t show symptoms of COVID-19 may carry the disease, and can pass it along to you and your family. To keep your newborn as safe as possible, it’s in your best interest to hold a virtual visitation. That way your loved ones can meet your newest addition without exposing them to risk.

Should I have skin-to-skin contact with my baby after delivery if I have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been experiencing symptoms?

The safety and health of our moms, babies, and families remain our highest priority during this time. A symptomatic or COVID-19-positive mother may have skin-to-skin contact with her newborn and should wear a mask and practice hand hygiene before each feeding or other close contact with her newborn.

As an added layer of protection for the newborn, the mother’s support person should also wear a mask and practice hand hygiene when providing hands-on care.

When not providing hands-on care, the mother should maintain a reasonable distance from her newborn within the room when possible.

How should I protect my baby at home if I am positive for COVID-19 or have been experiencing symptoms? What if someone in my household is sick?

Once the baby is home, any sick members of the family should remain separate from the baby and follow home isolation precautions. If the mother is feeling unwell, another healthy adult in the household should care for the baby, including feeding the baby expressed breastmilk. Home isolation and separation precautions should continue until the unwell individual has been symptom-free for 7-10 days and/or without fever for 72 hours without taking medication to reduce fever. If the mother is feeling unwell and another caretaker is not available, the mother should cover her nose and mouth with a face mask, homemade mask, or a scarf and practice hand hygiene before each interaction.

How can I get support if I’m experiencing postpartum depression?

Having a baby is a joyous occasion, but it doesn’t always feel like it. You’ve probably heard the term “postpartum depression” — more accurately called perinatal depression and anxiety — but you might not realize how common it is. At least one in seven new moms will experience the condition, and 60% of the time it starts before or during pregnancy.

A great way to get support is to talk to people just like you. Our Virtual Perinatal Support Groups meet twice a week for about 45 minutes each and offer you a chance to meet other new moms who are also struggling with mood changes or the transition to parenthood.

Sessions are free to attend, even if you aren’t a Community patient. You don’t even have to worry about registering — just email us at bhintegration@eCommunity.com for details on how to join:

Tuesdays at 11 a.m., hosted by Amber Smith, LCSW

  • Pregnant and postpartum women welcome
  • For more information: 317-621-7998

You don’t have to face it alone. No matter where you live or where you get care, we hope you’ll join us!

 

If you have questions about your upcoming delivery, please call your provider’s office. For more information about COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, see this page.