What does the coronavirus mean for your pregnancy? All available evidence suggests that pregnant women are at no greater risk of becoming seriously unwell than other healthy adults if they develop coronavirus. The large majority of pregnant women experience only mild or moderate cold/flu-like symptoms. Cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache and loss or change to your sense of smell or taste are other relevant symptoms. EFFECT OF CORONA VIRUS IN A POSITIVE PREGNANT WOMAN As this is a very new virus, we are just beginning to learn about it. There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk of miscarriage. Emerging evidence suggests that transmission from a woman to her baby during pregnancy or birth (vertical transmission) is probable. It is important to emphasise that in all reported cases of newborn babies developing coronavirus very soon after birth, the babies were well. Given current evidence, it is considered unlikely that if you have the virus it would cause problems with your baby’s development, and none have been observed currently. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU DEVELOP FEVER AND COUGH 1) Call your doctor first. 2) Do not simply go to the doctors clinic. It is important to limit the spread of the virus. 3) Your doctor will determine if you need to come to the clinic or have a test first. While pregnant women are at no greater risk of becoming seriously unwell than other healthy adults, a small proportion of pregnant women with coronavirus may required admission to hospital for treatment. Pregnant women over the age of 35, those who were overweight or obese, and those who had pre-existing medical problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, are also at higher risk of developing severe illness. EFFECT OF CORONA VIRUS ON THE FETUS As this is a very new virus, we are just beginning to learn about it. There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk of miscarriage. Emerging evidence suggests that transmission from a woman to her baby during pregnancy or birth (vertical transmission) is probable. Given current evidence, it is considered unlikely that if you have the virus it would cause problems with your baby’s development, and none have been observed currently. To be continued....... dr nandini shete