The coronavirus outbreak is disrupting pregnancy plans for individuals all around the world and adding uncertainty and anxiety to an already stressful time. Knowledge & understanding is a powerful tool in calming your anxieties, and we thought we would answer some of the most frequently asked Coronavirus questions.

How might Coronavirus affect my pregnancy?

The evidence to date from China and Italy suggests there is no harm to the mother or baby if the mother was to catch the virus. Getting any flu in pregnancy generally means that you will take longer to recover when compared with outside of pregnancy, but it doesn’t otherwise seem to be a problem.

Should we stop trying to conceive because of Coronavirus?

The short answer to this question is, NO! Given the apparent lack of negative effects on pregnancy, our opinion is that it is still safe to get pregnant. There is also no evidence of an increase in miscarriages. There could be personal reasons you decide not to try conceiving during this time, such as stress & anxiety – but that is a personal choice for you to make. Do whatever feels right for you!

Could I transmit Coronavirus to my baby during pregnancy?

From past cases, we can surmise that there is no transmission of the virus from mother to baby, during pregnancy. However, there have been a few cases of newborn babies catching the virus soon after delivery from their affected mothers – in good news, there have not been any serious repercussions of this so far.

Does being pregnant make me more susceptible to getting Coronavirus?

During pregnancy your immune system changes. Pregnant women or those trying to conceive; whilst not more likely to contract Coronavirus, should still exercise the appropriate caution and take all the necessary precautions to ensure their own personal health and safety.

What do I do if my Obstetrician gets Coronavirus?

The obstetrician will be quarantined for 14 days after which they will be disease free and be back looking after you, provided they are not in the high-risk group for example: older or with other medical conditions, and they suffered more severe chest complications. Young obstetricians, like myself should not be severely affected. I, and many other obstetricians have made backup plans to help each other if that particular problem arose.