As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, some of TBDHU’s programs and services will continue while others have been suspended or altered. Note there may also be some delays in the services provided.
Visitors to the Health Unit offices must be by appointment only.…
Pregnant people do not appear to be more susceptible to the consequences of COVID-19 than the general population. In general, a person who is pregnant may be more vulnerable to getting infections than a person of their age who is not pregnant. It is for this reason that pregnant people protect themselves using the guidelines for general infection prevention and control.
Pregnant people do not appear to be more severely unwell if they develop COVID-19 than the general population. As this is a new virus, how it may affect a pregnant person is not yet clear. It is expected the large majority of pregnant people will experience only mild or moderate cold/flu like symptoms.
More severe symptoms, such as pneumonia, appear to be more common in older people, those with weakened immune systems, or those with long-term health conditions. There are no reported deaths of pregnant people from COVID-19 at the moment.
If a pregnant person has an underlying condition, such as asthma or diabetes, they may be more unwell if they have COVID-19.
There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk of miscarriage. There is also no evidence that the virus can pass to the developing baby while a person is pregnant or when delivering their baby (this is called vertical transmission). It is therefore considered unlikely that if a pregnant person has the virus it will cause abnormalities in the baby.
Some babies born to women with symptoms of COVID-19 in China have been born prematurely. It is unclear whether COVID-19 caused this or if the doctors made the decision for the baby to be born early because the woman was unwell. As we learn about the risk of pre-term birth and COVID-19, we will update this information.
As pregnant people in general are more susceptible to infections, it is always important for them to protect themselves from illnesses using the same guidelines for infection protection and control as the general population. Find more information on these measures on the COVID-19 Infection Protection and Control Measures page.
Although events, such as baby showers, help to celebrate the new baby either before or after the baby is born, it is recommended to cancel social gatherings at this time.
After the baby is born, everyone will be excited to meet the new addition to the family. However, at this time the new parents should avoid visitors to help protect their baby and the parents. If there are any visitors, they should be asked to wash their hands, or to avoid visiting the baby if they are not feeling well, have travelled outside of Northwestern Ontario or suspect they have been in close contact with someone with COVID 19.
Creative ways using social media and other cyber connections, such as FaceTime and Skype, can be used to share the joys of your new arrival.
If you need to see your Health Care Provider (i.e.: Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, Midwife, etc.) for regular prenatal or health care appointments, call ahead as with all health care appointments at this time.
If you are Self-Isolating:
Call your health care provider before your appointment to inform them that you are currently in self-isolation and request advice on attending routine prenatal appointments.
If it is an emergency and you need to attend the Emergency Department, call ahead (if possible) to let them know you have been self-isolating for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 so they can prepare for your arrival.
If you are NOT Self-Isolating:
Call your health care provider first before attending your appointment to see how they will continue with the appointments.
If you are unable to access your Health Care Provider for your appointments and you need medical attention, you can try Cover.Health which is an online (virtual health) walk in clinic.
Any questions specific to your pregnancy or delivery should be directed to your health care provider.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can and should continue during the COVID-19 pandemic, while taking the appropriate precautions for infection prevention and control.
Breastfeeding provides infants and young children with strong protection against infectious disease and death. There are rare exceptions when breastfeeding or feeding expressed breast milk is not recommended.
Information about COVID-19 transmission is emerging daily. For up to date information for parents and caregivers, visit the SafelyFed Canada COVID-19 resources.
The World Health Organization currently recommends “mothers worldwide to exclusively breastfeed infants for the child's first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, they should be given nutritious complementary foods and continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond.”
At this time, COVID-19 does not appear to be transmitted in breast milk. There are currently limited studies, but so far the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in breast milk. However, we do not know whether mothers with COVID-19 can transmit the virus via breast milk.
Breast milk has many benefits and does not play a significant role in the transmission of other respiratory viruses.
When a person who is lactating becomes ill with a virus, their body makes antibodies to fight the illness. The child then receives those antibodies through the breast milk, helping to protect the child from illnesses to which the parent has been exposed.
If someone becomes ill while breastfeeding, it is important to continue direct breastfeeding so that the child receives immune protection. Interrupting breastfeeding may actually increase the child’s risk of becoming ill.
Mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 can safely hold their baby skin-to-skin, share a room with their baby, and breastfeed their baby while following these specific recommendations from the World Health Organization:
Personal Hygiene: practice proper hand washing before and after contact with the child.
Cough Etiquette: practice proper cough etiquette during feeding and well as use of a medical mask when near a child if the mother has respiratory symptoms.
Environmental Cleaning: clean and disinfect surfaces the symptomatic mother has been in contact with regularly.
