Pregnant People | CDC

Although the overall risk of serious illness is small, pregnant people are at increased risk of developing serious illness due to COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people.

What you need to know

• Although the overall risk of serious illness is small, pregnant people are at increased risk of developing serious illness due to COVID-19 1 compared to non-pregnant people.
• Certain underlying medical conditions and other factors, such as age or occupation, can further increase a pregnant person's risk of developing a serious illness.
• Pregnant women with COVID-19 may also be at increased risk of other poor outcomes, such as premature birth (giving birth to the baby before 37 weeks).
• Pregnant women and people who live with or visit them must take steps to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19.

Increased risk of serious illness

Major illness means a person with COVID-19 may need:

• Hospitalization,
• Intensive care unit,
• a ventilator or special equipment that makes it easier for them to breathe

People with COVID-19 who get seriously ill can even die.

Certain factors can increase your risk

Other factors may further increase a pregnant person's risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19, such as: B. certain underlying diseases or the age over a certain age of 2 years. Individuals with an underlying condition should continue to follow the treatment plan they have prescribed health insurance.

Conditions in places where pregnant people live, study, work, play and worship also affect health risks and outcomes, such as: B. COVID-19 or the development of a serious illness. For example, for pregnant people who work in places where they cannot stay away from people who may be sick, such as in the office, B. Healthcare providers, an increased risk of getting sick from COVID-19 and developing serious illnesses. Longstanding systemic health and social inequalities have put pregnant people from some racial and ethnic minorities at increased risk of developing COVID-19.

Understanding additional factors that can put pregnant people at increased risk can help them make decisions about what precautions to take to protect themselves from infection.

Impact on pregnancy outcomes

Pregnant women with COVID-19 may be at increased risk of other poor pregnancy-related outcomes, such as premature birth (giving birth to the baby before 37 weeks) 3.

Wear a mask when going out or interacting with others outside of your immediate household.

Reduce the risk of developing COVID-19

It is especially important for pregnant people and those who live with or visit them to take steps to protect themselves from COVID-19.

There is no way not to be at risk of infection. So it is important to know how to be as safe as possible. Consider your personal situation and the risk to you, your family, and your community when deciding whether to go out or to interact with people who do not live with you. Make sure that you and the people who live with you are taking steps to protect themselves.

The best ways to protect yourself and reduce the spread of COVID-19 are:

• Limit as much as possible personal interactions with people who may have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19, including people in your household.
• Take measures to prevent you from getting COVID-19 when interacting with others.
  • Wear a mask. Avoid others who don't wear masks, or ask others around you to wear a mask that completely covers your nose and mouth and fits your face well.
  • Keep space between yourself and others (stay at least 6 feet away, which is roughly 2 arm lengths).
  • Avoid the crowds.

• Avoid poorly ventilated rooms.
• Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Then wash your hands.
• Use soap or detergent to clean surfaces and objects that you touch frequently.
• Have prescription and non-prescription medicines available for at least 30 days. Talk to a healthcare provider, insurer, or pharmacist about additional supply (e.g. more than 30 days) of prescription medication, if possible, to shorten your trips to the pharmacy.
• Consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine if it is available to you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy

If you are pregnant and part of a group it is recommended that you receive that Covid-19 vaccinationYou can choose to have a vaccination. Talk to a health care provider. This will help you make an informed decision about whether to opt for vaccination.

Even if you received the COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to continue the steps outlined above to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Stay healthy during your pregnancy

• Keep all of your health appointments during and after pregnancy. Contact your doctor for all recommended appointments. If you have concerns about going to your appointments due to COVID-19, ask your doctor what steps they are taking to separate healthy patients from sick patients, or ask about telemedicine options. For help finding a healthcare provider, contact the nearest hospital clinic, the Community Health Center external symbolor health department.
  • Talk to your doctor about ways to stay healthy and take care of yourself and your baby.
  • Ask questions about the best place to give birth to your baby. Delivering your baby is always safest with trained healthcare professionals.
  • You should also speak to your doctor if you think you might have depression during or after pregnancy.
• Get Recommended Vaccines During Pregnancy. These vaccines can protect you and your baby.
  • Get a flu vaccine every year. Others in your household should also get vaccinated to protect you and yourself.
  • Get Whooping Cough Vaccine (Tdap) During Pregnancy to protect your baby from whooping cough, which can have symptoms similar to COVID-19. CDC recommends that all women receive a Tdap vaccine during any pregnancy.
• Call your doctor if you have any concerns about your pregnancy or if you get sick or think you may have COVID-19.
• Don't hesitate to get emergency care because of COVID-19. Emergency rooms have taken steps to protect you from COVID-19 when you need care. If you need emergency assistance, call 911 immediately.

• Tell them you are pregnant and have an emergency. If someone else drives to the emergency room, give them a call while you're out and about. If you need to drive, call before you go.

See a doctor right away if you have any urgent maternal warning signs and symptoms. These symptoms could indicate a potentially life-threatening complication.

If you are sick or think you may be exposed to COVID-19

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, learn how to care for newborns if the mother has COVID-19.

Read information about breastfeeding and newborn care.