COVID-19 advice for pregnancy, birth & breastfeeding

How does COVID-19 affect pregnant women?

If pregnant women get COVID-19, the effects of the illness can vary.

Some women might not get any symptoms at all. Many women, especially vaccinated women, will have only mild or moderate symptoms.

But some pregnant women with COVID-19 might get complications, which creates certain risks for them and their babies. These risks include hospitalisation, premature birth and neonatal intensive care.

Ask your midwife, GP or obstetrician for the latest information about COVID-19 and pregnancy. You can also visit your state or territory health department website, or call Healthdirect (nurse-on-call) on 1800 022 222.

How to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 during pregnancy

If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, it’s very important to take protective measures against COVID-19.

The best way to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 and its possible complications during pregnancy is to get a COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination is safe at any stage of pregnancy.

Tips to protect yourself from COVID-19

Wash your hands carefully and often. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or you can use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Where possible, stay at least 1.5 m away from anyone who’s sneezing or coughing, and avoid close contact with anyone with COVID-19.
Wear a face mask in crowded places – for example, on public transport or in shopping centres. Also wear a mask if recommended or required by your state or territory health authorities. Surgical masks give better protection than cloth masks.
If your work puts you at high risk of exposure to COVID-19, consider asking to be reassigned to lower-risk duties or to work from home.
Use household detergent and water or disinfectant wipes to clean frequently touched surfaces in your home, like benchtops and door handles.
Improve airflow by keeping doors and windows open or using fans if you have visitors in your home.
Have gatherings outdoors where possible.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 include cold-like or flu-like symptoms:

runny nose
sneezing
sore throat
cough
headache
muscle or joint aches and pains.

Symptoms might also include:

fever
difficulty breathing
fatigue
irritability
nausea or loss of appetite
diarrhoea or vomiting
temporary loss or altered sense of smell or taste.

Symptoms might come on very quickly and last 2-7 days. Recovery from symptoms like tiredness might take several weeks.

When to get a COVID-19 test

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should get a COVID-19 test. There are 2 types of COVID-19 tests – PCR tests and RATs.

Check your state or territory health department website for more information about which type of test to get and where to get it.

If you’re using a RAT, check the RAT’s expiry date.

It’s natural to worry if you’re pregnant and diagnosed with COVID-19. If you need support, talk to your midwife, GP or obstetrician.

How to treat COVID-19 symptoms when you’re pregnant

There’s currently no specific treatment for COVID-19 that can make it go away more quickly.

If you’re pregnant and diagnosed with COVID-19, phone your midwife, GP or obstetrician to let them know. They’ll tell you how to manage the illness. This might include:

paracetamol for pain
plenty of fluids – for example, water or oral rehydration fluids
soothing drinks like honey and lemon teas or throat lozenges for a sore throat
saline nasal spray or steam for a blocked nose
plenty of rest plus gentle physical activity
food if you’re hungry, especially fresh fruit and vegetables.

Antibiotics don’t treat COVID-19.

Antiviral medicine isn’t currently recommended for pregnant women with COVID-19.

What to do if your COVID-19 symptoms get worse

Seek urgent medical attention by calling an ambulance on 000 if you:

have severe shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, or your breathing gets worse suddenly
are coughing up blood
go blue in the lips if you have lighter skin, or white or grey if you have darker skin
feel cold or clammy, or your skin looks pale or patchy
have chest pain
faint or feel faint
are confused, agitated or drowsy
have a severe headache.

Tell the ambulance service about your symptoms and diagnosis, and then follow their directions.

Go to a hospital emergency department if you:

have increasing shortness of breath
are vomiting and can’t keep fluids down
have a severe and constant headache
have a fever greater than 38.5°C, which doesn’t come down with pain relief and fluids
aren’t passing much urine.

How to avoid spreading COVID-19 to other people

Your state or territory health department website will tell you how to protect other people from infection. It will also tell you what other members of your household can do.

Tips to protect others from COVID-19

Stay at home with no visitors until you no longer have symptoms.
Wear a mask if you’re around others.
Keep doors and windows open or use fans to improve airflow.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
Put tissues into a bin after coughing or sneezing.

What happens if you give birth while you have COVID-19?

If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are due to give birth, you can continue with the plans you’ve made for your baby’s birth. For example, if you’ve planned a vaginal birth, you can continue with this plan.

Delayed cord clamping and skin-to-skin contact with your baby following birth are also still encouraged.

There’s a small chance that your baby will get COVID-19 from you after birth. Your health professionals will watch your baby closely after birth for any signs of infection.

Your health professionals will also advise you on how to reduce your baby’s risk of getting COVID-19. This will include careful hand-washing and personal hygiene when you’re handling your baby, as well as extra measures like limiting visitors and wearing a mask.

And if you’re worried about your baby’s health or you think that your baby might have COVID-19, talk with your health professionals.

Can you breastfeed when you have COVID-19?

You can breastfeed your baby when you have COVID-19. There’s currently no evidence that the virus is carried in breastmilk. In fact, your breastmilk contains antibodies against COVID-19. This is good for your baby because these antibodies might help to protect your baby against COVID-19.