Being pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. If you are pregnant, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19. If you have questions about getting vaccinated, a conversation with your healthcare provider might help, but is not required for vaccination.

Learn more from the CDC on COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding. 

• Stay at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live with you.
• It’s best to wash your hands often with soap and water. You must wash for at least 20 seconds.
• It’s good to use hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.
• Don't touch your face. Mainly your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wipe down all surfaces that are touch the most in your home. Use a cleaner that kills viruses. You can use 5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water. Wipe down things like:
  • Countertops
  • Faucets
  • bathroom sinks
  • toilets
  • door knobs
  • light switches
  • phones
• Don't be around people who are sick.
• Wear a mask when you go outside of your home. Wearing a mask will remind you not to touch your face. It will also protect others in case you have the virus.

Symptoms can be different for different people. They can include: 

• Fever of 100.4° or higher
• Sore throat
• Congestion and runny nose
• Chills
• Cough
• Feeling very tired or worn out
• Body aches
• Headache
• Hard to breathe
• Loss of taste and smell
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loose stools

• Get tested for COVID-19. Find testing sites here.
• Call your provider that is caring for your pregnancy. This can be an OB, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, or Family Medicine doctor.
• Stay home! Stay away from other people in your household. Sleep and eat in your own room, use your own bathroom.
• Rest and drink plenty of water
• Pay attention to your symptoms carefully: check for a fever at least twice a day
• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for body aches or fever. Do NOT take ibuprofen. This is not safe to use in pregnancy and may cause COVID-19 to worsen.
• Seek care right away. Call 911 if you have:
  • Fever of 101° or higher
  • Have trouble breathing
  • Have pain or pressure in your chest
  • Have bluish lips or face
  • Are not feeling normal fetal movement
  • Are having more than 5 contractions per hour
  • Have leaking of fluid or blood from your vagina
• Wear a face mask if you must leave your home

• Get tested for COVID-19. Find testing sites here.
• Call their doctor for any special guidance.
• The sick person must stay away from everyone. They should sleep and eat in their own room and use their own bathroom.
• Have them wear a face mask when they are in the same space as others
• Right away, wipe off any surfaces that they touched
• Do not share any household items such as dishes, towels and sheets.
• Use gloves to handle any clothing, bedding and towels. Wash in hot water. If you touch these items, wash your hands for 20 seconds.
• Keep pets away from sick persons. This is to avoid the pet spreading the virus on its fur.
• Pay attention to their symptoms closely.
• Treat fever or body aches with acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Do NOT take ibuprofen. This may cause COVID-19 to worsen.
• Seek care right away. Call 911 if they have:
  • trouble breathing
  • pain or pressure in their chest
  • bluish lips or face
  • become confused or can’t wake them up