Frequently Asked Questions

At present there is no evidence that they are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population. However, due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, we know that pregnant women can be badly affected by some infections. It is therefore important that they take precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19, and report possible symptoms (including fever, cough or difficulty breathing) to their healthcare provider.

Pregnant women should take the same precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection as other people.
You can help protect yourself by:
a. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
b. Keeping space between yourselves and others and avoiding crowded spaces.
c. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
d. Practicing respiratory hygiene . This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

If you have fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Call before going to a health facility, and follow the directions of your local health authority. Pregnant women and women who have recently delivered – including those affected by COVID-19 should attend their routine care appointments.

Answered above. The answer may change if there is any change in the guidelines by ICMR.

There is no conclusive evidence to determine if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her foetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery or breastfeeding.

No. WHO advice is that caesarean sections should only be performed when medically justified. The mode of birth should be individualized and based on a woman’s preferences alongside obstetric indications.

Yes. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do. They should:
a. Practice respiratory hygiene during feeding, wearing a mask where available;
b. Wash hands before and after touching the baby;
c. Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces they have touched.

Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to thrive. You should be supported to:
a. Breastfeed safely, with good respiratory hygiene;
b. Hold your newborn skin-to-skin, and
c. Share a room with your baby

You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby, and keep all surfaces clean.

If you are too unwell to breastfeed your baby due to COVID-19 or other complications, you should be supported to safely provide your baby with breastmilk in a way possible, available, and acceptable to you. This could include: Expressing milk; Relactation; Donor human milk.

At present there is no evidence that they are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population. However, due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, we know that pregnant women can be badly affected by some infections. It is therefore important that they take precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19, and report possible symptoms (including fever, cough or difficulty breathing) to their healthcare provider.

Pregnant women should take the same precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection as other people.
You can help protect yourself by:
a. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
b. Keeping space between yourselves and others and avoiding crowded spaces.
c. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
d. Practicing respiratory hygiene . This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

If you have fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Call before going to a health facility, and follow the directions of your local health authority. Pregnant women and women who have recently delivered – including those affected by COVID-19 should attend their routine care appointments.

Answered above. The answer may change if there is any change in the guidelines by ICMR.

There is no conclusive evidence to determine if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her foetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery or breastfeeding.

No. WHO advice is that caesarean sections should only be performed when medically justified. The mode of birth should be individualized and based on a woman’s preferences alongside obstetric indications.

Yes. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do. They should:
a. Practice respiratory hygiene during feeding, wearing a mask where available;
b. Wash hands before and after touching the baby;
c. Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces they have touched.

Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to thrive. You should be supported to:
a. Breastfeed safely, with good respiratory hygiene;
b. Hold your newborn skin-to-skin, and
c. Share a room with your baby

You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby, and keep all surfaces clean.

If you are too unwell to breastfeed your baby due to COVID-19 or other complications, you should be supported to safely provide your baby with breastmilk in a way possible, available, and acceptable to you. This could include: Expressing milk; Relactation; Donor human milk.

At present there is no evidence that they are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population. However, due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, we know that pregnant women can be badly affected by some infections. It is therefore important that they take precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19, and report possible symptoms (including fever, cough or difficulty breathing) to their healthcare provider.

Pregnant women should take the same precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection as other people.
You can help protect yourself by:
a. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
b. Keeping space between yourselves and others and avoiding crowded spaces.
c. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
d. Practicing respiratory hygiene . This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

If you have fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Call before going to a health facility, and follow the directions of your local health authority. Pregnant women and women who have recently delivered – including those affected by COVID-19 should attend their routine care appointments.

Answered above. The answer may change if there is any change in the guidelines by ICMR.

There is no conclusive evidence to determine if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her foetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery or breastfeeding.

No. WHO advice is that caesarean sections should only be performed when medically justified. The mode of birth should be individualized and based on a woman’s preferences alongside obstetric indications.

Yes. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do. They should:
a. Practice respiratory hygiene during feeding, wearing a mask where available;
b. Wash hands before and after touching the baby;
c. Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces they have touched.

Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to thrive. You should be supported to:
a. Breastfeed safely, with good respiratory hygiene;
b. Hold your newborn skin-to-skin, and
c. Share a room with your baby

You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby, and keep all surfaces clean.

If you are too unwell to breastfeed your baby due to COVID-19 or other complications, you should be supported to safely provide your baby with breastmilk in a way possible, available, and acceptable to you. This could include: Expressing milk; Relactation; Donor human milk.

At present there is no evidence that they are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population. However, due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, we know that pregnant women can be badly affected by some infections. It is therefore important that they take precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19, and report possible symptoms (including fever, cough or difficulty breathing) to their healthcare provider.

Pregnant women should take the same precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection as other people.
You can help protect yourself by:
a. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
b. Keeping space between yourselves and others and avoiding crowded spaces.
c. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
d. Practicing respiratory hygiene . This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

If you have fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Call before going to a health facility, and follow the directions of your local health authority. Pregnant women and women who have recently delivered – including those affected by COVID-19 should attend their routine care appointments.

Answered above. The answer may change if there is any change in the guidelines by ICMR.

There is no conclusive evidence to determine if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her foetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery or breastfeeding.

No. WHO advice is that caesarean sections should only be performed when medically justified. The mode of birth should be individualized and based on a woman’s preferences alongside obstetric indications.

Yes. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do. They should:
a. Practice respiratory hygiene during feeding, wearing a mask where available;
b. Wash hands before and after touching the baby;
c. Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces they have touched.

Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to thrive. You should be supported to:
a. Breastfeed safely, with good respiratory hygiene;
b. Hold your newborn skin-to-skin, and
c. Share a room with your baby

You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby, and keep all surfaces clean.

If you are too unwell to breastfeed your baby due to COVID-19 or other complications, you should be supported to safely provide your baby with breastmilk in a way possible, available, and acceptable to you. This could include: Expressing milk; Relactation; Donor human milk.