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 should protect themselves using the guidelines for general infection prevention and control. Find more information on these measures on the COVID-19 Stop the Spread page.
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.
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 is emergency preparedness. It provides infants and young children with strong protection against infectious disease and death, and it offers secure access to food. 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: “Breastfeeding should be initiated within 1 hour of birth. Exclusive breastfeeding should continue for 6 months with timely introduction of adequate, safe and properly fed complementary foods at age 6 months, while continuing breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond. Because there is a dose-response effect, in that earlier initiation of breastfeeding results in greater benefits, mothers who are not able to initiate breastfeeding during the first hour after delivery should still be supported to breastfeed as soon as they are able.”
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.
Because breastfeeding protects the child’s immune system and provides food security, it is especially important that families continue breastfeeding and delay weaning during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about where to get help with breastfeeding, please see the "Where To Get Help" section below.
Mothers and babies should remain together. Mothers who are suspected or confirmed cases of 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 (WHO):
Hand Washing: follow proper hand washing practices 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.
If mothers who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 are at home and are pumping and feeding baby their expressed breast milk, they should follow the above recommendations from the WHO and also:
Clean and disinfect all pump parts that come into contact with human milk and disinfect the entire pump surface after each session.
Clean and disinfect all infant feeding devices after use.
Mothers should also follow general infection prevention and control measures, while keeping in mind that mothers and babies are considered a pair. Thus mother and baby can stay close together, however, the two of them should keep 2 metres apart from others to ensure physical distancing.
Please visit our Breastfeeding page for more information about how to get breastfeeding off to a good start and signs that breastfeeding is going well.
If there are concerns about breast milk supply or if formula feeding is being considered because of breastfeeding difficulties, it is important to have all the information needed to make an informed decision. For more information on formula feeding check out the Best Start resource on Infant Formula: What you Need to Know. Most breastfeeding challenges can be resolved with help. Parents can talk to their health care provider and or visit our Breastfeeding page.
Because breastfeeding protects the child’s immune system and provides food security, it is especially important that families continue breastfeeding and delay weaning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Breastmilk offers complete nutrition for babies. It also has many live cells that protect the infant from illness. It is not possible for formula to duplicate these unique qualities of breastmilk.
Families who have a medical need or who have chosen to formula feed need support and information on the type of formula to use, how to prepare, store and feed formula. For more information on how to safely choose, prepare, feed and store infant formula, visit the Kids and Food page.
Please also visit SafelyFed Canada for more information about safe formula feeding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please know that most breastfeeding challenges can be resolved with help.
TBDHU Supports
To prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, the TBDHU is not presently offering in-person Breastfeeding Clinic appointments. However, if you have questions or concerns related to breastfeeding and/or infant feeding, please call (807) 625-8827 to speak to a TBDHU Public Health Nurse with specialized breastfeeding training.
Community Supports
Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000 or TTY 1-866-797-0007, 24 hour telephone breastfeeding support is available.
Bilingual Online Ontario Breastfeeding Services: This website can help you find breastfeeding support services in your community. Just search for your city and see the programs and services that can give you the help and support you need.
Newborns
How to Protect and Support Mom and Baby
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 limit visitors to help protect their baby and themselves.
New grandparents, family members or close friends may want to visit with the new baby, and sometimes can provide the much needed support that new parents require during the first years of the baby’s life.
If there are any visitors, they should:
Limit the number and length of visits.
Wash their hands on arrival and frequently throughout the visit.
Physical distance 2 metres from parent and baby.
Self-monitor for 2 weeks before the visit if they work in an area of increased COVID-19 contact/exposure.
Avoid visiting if they are not feeling well, or suspect they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
People providing regular support to help the parents with the new baby or young child should follow How to Build your Social Circle to ensure that it is done in a safe manner.
It is important to remember that the final decision to have visitors or help from others is up to the new parent(s) on how they would like coordinate the support they need with the baby.
Events, such as baby showers, help to celebrate the new baby either before or after the baby is born. At this time, you may want to postpone such social gatherings, or ensure that the number of guests are limited to follow the social gathering guidelines. All guests should be asked to wash their hands upon arrival and throughout the visit, and should be asked to avoid visiting the baby if they are not feeling well, have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days or suspect they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19. Mom and baby together, should physically distance themselves 2 metres from the guests at all times.
Creative ways using social media and other cyber connections, such as FaceTime and Skype, can also be used to share the joys of your new arrival.
For any questions or concerns related to newborn or infant care, please feel free to contact the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program at (807) 625-8814.
