AHS: COVID-19 and Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum, and Breastfeeding
With increased restriction measures introduced by our government, worry about COVID-19 is rising. To ease your worries, here are some health facts about pregnancy during this pandemic.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that being pregnant increases your risk of getting the virus. Pregnant persons are considered to have the same risk as other adults.
Additionally, no evidence suggest that a pregnant person is at a greater risk for more serious complications related to COVID-19. However, as with any significant maternal illness, there is always an increased risk of preterm or stillbirth.
Evidence suggest that virus is not directly transmitted to the unborn child via your placenta.
There is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted to your baby through breastmilk.
Even if the pregnant individual has tested positive, AHS recommends they continue skin-to-skin breastfeeding. If the baby is being bottle-fed, it is recommended that the non-positive partner feed the baby, after proper sterilization.
Read more from Alberta Health Services here.