It's important to tell your midwife or maternity team if you have symptoms of COVID-19. They can give you support and advice and you can speak to them about any concerns.
How to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19
It's important to follow advice about how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19 throughout your pregnancy.
You should go to all of your pregnancy (antenatal) scans and appointments unless you're told not to.
You can talk to your employer about how they can help reduce your risk at work. This might include working from home if you are able and wish to.
You may be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine if you have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment.
If you have COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19
If you have COVID-19 or get any symptoms of COVID-19, speak to your midwife or maternity team. They will advise you what to do and you can speak to them about any concerns.
You may need to rebook some of your pregnancy appointments or have them online, by phone or as a video consultation.
You can ease mild symptoms by resting and drinking plenty of fluids.
Before taking any medicine, including painkillers, check with your pharmacist, midwife or GP that it's suitable.
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If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
Important
If you're worried about your symptoms or not sure what to do, go to NHS 111 online or call 111.
Urgent advice: Call your midwife or maternity team immediately if:
- your baby is moving less than usual
- you cannot feel your baby moving
- there is a change to your baby's usual pattern of movements
- you have any bleeding from your vagina
- you're feeling very anxious or worried
- you have a headache that does not go away
- you get shortness of breath when resting or lying down
- you cannot cope with your COVID-19 symptoms at home
- your temperature is raised
- you have severe tiredness
- you feel unsafe at any time
Do not wait until the next day or your next appointment – call immediately, even if it's the middle of the night.
If you do not have a midwife or maternity team call a GP or go to NHS 111 online. Call 111 if you cannot get help online.
Immediate action required: Call 999 if:
- you feel very unwell or think there's something seriously wrong
- you have severe chest pain
- you cough up blood
- you feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin
- you collapse or faint
- you have a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you roll a glass over it
- you feel agitated, confused or very drowsy
- you've stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual
- you're so breathless that you're unable to say short sentences when resting
- your breathing has got suddenly worse
If you have COVID-19 and go into labour
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and go into labour, you'll be advised to give birth in a unit led by a doctor (obstetrician). This is so the team can look after you and your baby more closely.
You'll be cared for in an area within the maternity unit that's just for pregnant women and people with COVID-19.
Your maternity team will make sure you get the best care and respect your birth choices as closely as possible.
After your baby is born, you should be able to have skin-to-skin contact unless your baby is unwell and needs care in the neonatal unit.
You'll also be encouraged to breastfeed. There's no evidence COVID-19 can pass on to your baby in breast milk, so the benefits of breastfeeding and the protection it offers outweigh any risks.
If you have any questions or need help
If you have any questions or concerns at any time, speak to your midwife or maternity team.