Pregnancy

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    If you are pregnant while admitted to the Virtual Ward, you may receive additional care from a midwife.

    If you think you are in labour, call ahead to the hospital, or your healthcare provider. If you need to call an ambulance, tell them you are COVID-19 positive.

    The risk of passing COVID-19 to your baby during pregnancy is low. When this has happened, babies have had good outcomes.  There is no evidence to suggest that baby’s development is affected from COVID-19 in pregnancy. If you become very unwell, your baby might need to be born early (prematurely) and may need extra care in a neonatal unit.

    Your baby will be tested for COVID-19 while you are in the hospital.

    Vaccination during pregnancy

    Vaccination is strongly recommended for pregnant women to protect you and your baby. It can be given at any stage of pregnancy.  If you haven’t had your first 2 vaccines and your booster dose, talk with your primary health care provider about getting it for yourself and your family. The sooner you do so, the better protected you will be against COVID-19 throughout your pregnancy. There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of miscarriage, pre-term birth or other complications in pregnancy. More information can be found at the ATAGI website.

    How COVID may affect your birth plan

    Your birth experience matters, even if you are COVID-19 positive. You should be supported to have a safe and positive birth experience, regardless of your COVID-19 diagnoses. Planning your birth experience will help you to feel prepared. We would encourage you to document your plans for your birth in whatever way you choose. Your maternity team will be led by this to ensure the care they provide meets your individual needs. Talk to your midwife or healthcare provider about any concerns you may have.

    Type of birth

    If you are well, having COVID-19 will not by itself change how your baby is born. However, if you are booked for an induction of labour or caesarean birth, tell your health care provider immediately.

    Monitoring during labour

    During labour, continuous monitoring of your baby is recommended. This is because some babies (whose mothers had COVID-19) have showed signs of distress during labour. Continually monitoring your baby can help detect problems early. This recommendation is the same as for other infections during labour.

    Pain relief

    You can still have most types of pain relief including an epidural or a spinal block.  We recommend you discuss pain relief options with your birthing support clinical team.

    Support people

    You will be supported to have a birth partner with you during your labour and birth, providing they do not have symptoms of coronavirus. We know that having a trusted birth partner during labour makes a big difference to the safety and wellbeing of women during labour and birth. The number of support people you can have with you during your birth may be reduced.

    Water birth

    Your maternity team will make sure you get the best care and respect your birth choices as closely as possible.  If your birth plan included having a water birth or water immersion, you should speak to your midwife or healthcare provider about the most current guidelines for birthing with COVID-19 and water birth.

    Contact with your baby

    Keeping a well mother and well baby together is usually best. If you are unwell, one option may be for your baby to go home with a well adult (e.g. well partner or relative).

    If your baby needs care in a neonatal unit, visiting may be limited.

    It is important to do everything you can to prevent your baby getting the virus. This is why it is very important that you:

    • wash your hands before and after touching your baby-use soap and water for 20 seconds or alcohol based hand sanitiser/gel
    • routinely clean and disinfect surfaces you have touched
    • have a healthy adult assist you to care for your baby where possible
    • wear a mask while in close contact including while breastfeeding

    A few babies may become unwell and some may require additional hospital care. If your baby becomes unwell following birth, contact your GP or the Virtual Ward.

    Breastfeeding

    Current evidence suggests that it is safe to breastfeed and continue to offer breastmilk if you have COVID-19, whatever the age of your baby or child. No evidence has been found for COVID-19 being passed through breastmilk. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks relating to breastfeeding when you have coronavirus

    If you think you have COVID-19, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before touching your baby. Try to avoid coughing or sneezing on them whilst they are feeding, and you are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering whilst in close contact with your baby.

    If you are feeling too unwell to breastfeed your baby, another option is to express regularly so that your baby keeps receiving your breastmilk and so is less likely to become unwell. Before expressing, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If using a breast pump, it is important to ensure proper cleaning is followed. If you are feeling unwell, make sure you do not fall asleep holding your baby.

    Some mothers when they are feeling unwell notice a drop in their breastmilk supply. If this happens to you, you can discuss it with your healthcare provider.

    If you have any concerns about breastfeeding talk to your midwife or primary health care provider.

    Support & information

    13HEALTH (13 432584)
    A phone line that provides health information, referral and services to the public.

    Queensland Health COVID-19
    General information about COVID-19.

    Partnering with the woman who declines recommended maternity care
    Guideline and associated resources for consumers and clinicians.

    MumSpace
    Digital resources supporting mental and emotional wellbeing during and beyond pregnancy.

    PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia)
    Supports women and their families who are suffering from perinatal anxiety or depression.

    Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Helpline
    1800 882 436 (free call) offers free, confidential, professional information and counselling for women, their partners and families relating to issues of conception, pregnancy, birthing and postnatal care.

    Lifeline 13 11 14
    Lifeline offers a telephone crisis support service to anyone.

    Child Health Service
    Provides newborn drop-in services, early feeding and support child health clinics. Refer to the website for your nearest service.

    Women’s Health Queensland Wide
    1800 017 676 (free call) offers health promotion, information and education service for women and health professionals throughout Queensland.

    Australian Breastfeeding Association
    1800 686268 (breastfeeding helpline). Community based self-help group offers information, counselling, and support services, on breastfeeding issues.

    Mob Link – connecting with mob during COVID

    1800 254 354 (free call) Mob Link is an initiative of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in SEQ by linking them with health and social services.