COVID-19 and Pregnancy: 3 Steps to Stay Safe

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COVID-19 and Pregnancy: 3 Steps to Stay Safe (Text Version)

[Illustration of a pregnant woman wearing a mask over her nose and mouth]

1. Know the Facts
   • COVID-19 can spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
   • Some people with COVID-19 may have no symptoms.
   • Pregnant women with COVID-19 may be more likely than nonpregnant women to need care in an intensive care unit (ICU) or need a ventilator for breathing support. But the overall risk of these outcomes is low.
2. Slow the Spread
   • Wear a mask or cloth face covering over your nose and mouth while in public.
   • Clean hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
   • Stay home as much as possible while the virus is spreading.
   • Stay at least 6 feet away from other people if you need to go out.
3. Talk with Your Ob-Gyn
   • Prenatal and postpartum care: Your visit schedule may change, or you may have some visits over the phone or with a two-way video call on your computer. Before an in-person visit, tell your ob-gyn if you think you may have COVID-19 or contact with someone who has it.
   • Your birth plan: In most cases, the way you plan to give birth does not need to change. And the safest place for you to give birth is still a hospital or accredited birth center.
   • Visitor policies: You may not be able to have as many visitors at your checkups or during and after birth while COVID-19 is spreading.

Learn more: www.acog.org/COVID-Pregnancy

PFSI024: This information is designed as an educational aid to patients and sets forth current information and opinions related to women’s health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care, nor does it comprise all proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for a treating clinician’s independent professional judgment. For ACOG’s complete disclaimer, visit www.acog.org/WomensHealth-Disclaimer.

Copyright November 2020 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, posted on the internet, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

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