Frequently Asked Questions – COVID 19 & Pregnancy
Am I at a higher risk for COVID-19 infection during pregnancy?
Pregnant women are considered a high risk group for COVID-19.
Pregnant women are not at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. However, pregnant COVID-19 patients are three to five times more likely to get complications and to need advanced medical care including ICU admissions.
If I get COVID-19 during pregnancy, will it hurt my baby?
The chances of the baby getting the infection in-utero is low. However, preterm birth and other complications have been reported in babies born to mothers who were COVID-19 positive during pregnancy.
How can I protect myself from getting COVID-19 while pregnant and stay healthy?
If you’re pregnant, you should take all precautions to avoid getting infected, which include:
• Always stay at home. Should not leave home unless for an absolutely essential purpose.
• Get a COVID-19 vaccine
• Wear a mask covering your nose and mouth properly when you leave home. Should not touch or remove it leave till you return home.
• Limit contact with other people, unless it is absolutely essential.
• Practice physical distancing: keep a minimum gap of one meter.
• Avoid crowded or poorly ventilated enclosed places altogether.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth at outside places.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid contact with people who are infected.
• Go to a hospital without delay if you develop maternal danger signals.
• Keep in touch with your area Public Health Midwife and obtain antenatal and postnatal care services recommended by her.
• Contact your area Public Health Midwife or other health care professional if you have any questions or doubts about your health or COVID-19.
You may also call Suwaseriya 24 hour hotline at 1999.
Is it safe to visit my clinic, a hospital or other health care setting while COVID-19 is spreading?
All healthcare settings have been instructed to take maximum safety precautions. If you develop danger signals, any delay in seeking hospital care can cause harm. Also, it is important to continue getting the antenatal care and other health care to protect your health, even while COVID-19 is spreading. When visiting or at such places, it is essential to practice all safety measures.
How can I manage fear, uncertainty, stress and anxiety during the pandemic?
Some pregnant and postpartum women may be having fear, uncertainty, stress, or anxiety because of COVID-19. Doing household activities with family members, playing with children or helping them with their studies, gardening, engaged in activities of your interest, mindfulness, meditation etc. during this time may help.
Is it safe to receive a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy?
The vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness and death due to COVID-19.
Vaccination during pregnancy may help transfer protective antibodies to the baby through the placenta and breast milk. These antibodies may lower the chance of the baby getting the COVID-19 disease.
Can COVID-19 vaccine be harmful to my baby?
No serious safety concerns have been reported for vaccinated pregnant women or their babies due to the vaccine, amongst tens of thousands of pregnant mothers who have received the vaccine in Sri Lanka.
Can I get COVID-19 from the COVID vaccine?
You can’t get COVID-19 from the COVID-19 vaccines.
Should I follow safety precautions after COVID vaccination?
You are fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the second dose the vaccine. However, it is absolutely essential that you practice all safety precautions even after that, as no vaccine is 100% effective.
What are the requirements for COVID vaccine?
If you are more than 18 years of age, you can get your COVID-19 vaccine at anytime in your pregnancy irrespective of the trimester. Health staff will screen you for any contraindication for vaccination.
What are the vaccines I can receive?
You can receive Sinopharm, AstraZenica/Covishield, Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
You should receive 2 doses of vaccine keeping the recommended gap between two doses.
Once the first dose of a vaccine is received from one vaccine type, it is advisable to receive the second dose also from the same type.
Can I have COVID vaccines if I am due on my tetanus toxoid?
If you haven’t received both COVID-19 vaccine and tetanus toxoid yet, first complete your COVID vaccination. Health staff will advice you on receiving the tetanus toxoid thereafter.
If you have received tetanus toxoid when you have the opportunity to get COVID vaccination, you can have COVID vaccine without considering the time gap since the date of administration of tetanus toxoid.
What should I do if I am pregnant and feel that I may have COVID-19?
If you think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus and have a fever or cough or any other COVID-19 symptom, call your area Public Health Midwife or other healthcare professional for advice.
You may also call 1999 for further information
What should I do if I am pregnant and get infected with COVID-19?
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, follow the advice from the Medical Officer of Health/ Public Health Midwife or other health care professional. Be registered with the available hot line ( 1904).
Stay home except to get medical care. Avoid public transportation.
Inform your Public Health Midwife, Public Health Inspector or Medical Officer of Health over the phone.
Separate yourself from other people at your home.
Wear a face mask always, even if you are at home.
Go to hospital immediately if you feel getting worse or think it’s an emergency.
If I get COVID-19, can I have home-based care?
Consultant Obstetrician or Medical Officer of Health will decide considering your medical, obstetric or other conditions.
Can I breastfeed my baby if I get infected with COVID-19?
Yes, you can feed your baby with breastfeed and the baby will not get the disease through breast milk. But you should practice personal protection measures when handling the baby (wearing a mask, frequent hand washing etc).
Can I take the vaccine if I am breastfeeding?
Yes, you can get the vaccine and do not need to stop breastfeeding for any time duration. You can take any of the COVID vaccines available while breastfeeding.
