Coronavirus and Pregnancy

Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on December 30, 2022
Written by Sonya Collins
6 min read

When you're pregnant, you'd expect to have all kinds of questions and worries. But “What if I get coronavirus?” probably wasn't one of them.

Doctors and scientists are still learning how the virus affects everyone, including expectant mothers and their unborn babies. Here's what they know -- and don't know.

Does pregnancy make me more likely to have a severe case if I get COVID-19?

Yes. While in general, your overall risk of getting seriously ill is low, your chances of getting severely ill from COVID-19 are higher while you're pregnant. You are also at risk for about 42 days afterward giving birth. Pregnant people who have COVID-19 with symptoms are more likely than non-pregnant people who have COVID-19 to need treatment in an intensive care unit, need a ventilator to help with breathing, or to die from the disease.  

In addition, pregnant people with COVID-19 are also at increased risk for delivering the baby earlier than 37 weeks and might be at increased risk for other poor pregnancy outcomes. 

A few of the things that can raise your risk of getting severely ill are:

  • Certain health conditions, like obesity or gestational diabetes
  • Being older
  • Social, economic, and health inequalities

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19 or if I come into contact with someone who has the virus?

If you're exposed to the virus, call your doctor and let them know what happened. They'll probably tell you to watch for signs of illness such as a fever or a cough. If you get these symptoms, call your doctor to talk about where to go for testing.

How do I keep myself and my baby as safe as possible?

You can keep safe by getting vaccinated. Experts say the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of the vaccine during pregnancy. The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or may become pregnant in the future.

Currently, there isn’t any evidence that suggests the COVID-19 vaccine causes fertility issues in women or men.

It's possible to have mild side effects after you get vaccinated, especially after the second shot of a two-dose vaccine, like Pfizer and Moderna. But there haven't been reports of pregnant people getting different side effects after receiving those vaccines from those who aren't pregnant.

If you run a fever after getting vaccinated, take acetaminophen and call your doctor right away. A prolonged high fever is linked to worse pregnancy outcomes. Also, call the doctor if you think you're having an allergic reaction. Those are rare, and you can get treatment for them. Before you get vaccinated, let your doctor know if you've had allergic reactions to other vaccines or shots in the past.

If you're pregnant and you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, talk to your doctor. 

If you think you have symptoms, call your doctor. They may prescribe an antiviral medication, monoclonal antibodies, or they might recommend that you take acetaminophen to keep your fever down. It's important to rest and drink lots of fluids. You probably won't need to go to the hospital. Call your doctor right away if your symptoms get worse, especially if you have trouble breathing.

If I get the coronavirus before I deliver, can it hurt my baby?

There's no evidence that the virus itself can lead to birth defects, miscarriage, or any other problems. But a fever in early pregnancy, from COVID-19 or any other cause, can raise the chances of birth defects. And severe lung illnesses late in your pregnancy can make you more likely to deliver your baby prematurely. Some babies born to women who had coronavirus were born preterm. But it's not clear whether the virus was to blame.

If I have the coronavirus, can I pass it to my baby during pregnancy or delivery?

Some newborns have tested positive for COVID-19. But that doesn't necessarily mean they picked it up from their mothers in the womb. The most common way to get COVID-19 is through respiratory droplets that a sick person coughs or sneezes. Experts believe it's more likely that infected babies picked it up through droplets after birth from their mother or a caregiver.

If I have coronavirus, can I breastfeed my baby?

Evidence suggests that the coronavirus is not spread through breast milk. That doesn't mean you can't pass on the virus through coughing or sneezing while nursing. The safest option may be to pump and have someone who isn't infected feed your baby. If you really want to nurse your baby yourself, wash your hands before breastfeeding, and consider wearing a face mask. Take these same precautions while bottle-feeding your baby.

Should I take any extra steps to protect myself besides the ones the CDC and state and local government recommend for everyone?

There's no evidence that pregnancy makes you any more likely to get coronavirus. Still, it's a serious threat to everyone. You should take all the recommended steps to avoiding getting sick. Those include washing your hands often, not touching your face, staying at least 6 feet away from other people, and avoiding groups. Wear a high end face mask when you're in public places like stores and doctor's offices.

Should I travel?

Crowded places like airports might raise your chances of getting infected with the coronavirus. Many doctors recommend against traveling during the pandemic. Talk with your doctor about the risks, and check guidelines from local and federal health officials.

Should I reschedule my baby shower?

The CDC urges everyone to practice social distancing to slow the spread of the virus when case levels are high in your community. This means limiting your contact with other people in homes and in public places like parks or restaurants. It's safest to postpone your shower or hold an online get-together instead.

Should I have prenatal visits?

Talk to your medical team before your appointments. They might want you to come in less often or to have checkups on the phone or online. They may recommend that you keep track of your baby's movements and get a cuff to measure your blood pressure.

If I have the coronavirus, will my delivery still go as planned?

There's no evidence that women with COVID-19 shouldn't deliver vaginally. But delivery might be different from what you expected.

One group of experts suggests that if the mother has COVID-19, it might be helpful to leave the vernix -- a white, waxy coating on newborns' skin -- on for 24 hours after birth. The coating contains antimicrobial substances that could protect against infection.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that babies born to women who have the coronavirus be isolated and monitored for symptoms.

Whether or not you have coronavirus, the ongoing pandemic means many hospitals are limiting the number of visitors to one or none. At home, before and after your baby arrives, you should stick to your social distancing plan and avoid visitors as much as possible.

Will I get the care and attention I need during my delivery?

You should expect to get usual care during your delivery. It's unlikely that hospitals would call obstetricians away from their regular duties in labor and delivery in order to provide care somewhere else. If you have questions, ask your obstetrics team.