Coronavirus: Pregnant women not at greater risk, experts say
Written by News on 12/03/2020
Pregnant women do not appear to be more susceptible to coronavirus than the general population and there is no evidence the virus can pass to a baby during pregnancy, experts say.
As a precautionary measure, pregnant women going into labour with suspected or confirmed coronavirus are being advised to attend an obstetric unit for birth.
The new guidelines were issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
It states that while data is limited, there are no reported deaths in pregnant women from COVID-19.
Women are at higher risk of complications from flu during pregnancy because they have a weaker immune system, making them less able to fight infections.
One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis – a chest infection that can develop into pneumonia.
The guidance covers the most up-to-date advice on how coronavirus affects pregnant women and their unborn babies.
It noted one reported case of a 30-weeks pregnant woman in China with coronavirus who required mechanical ventilation, followed by an emergency caesarean section. She has since made a good recovery.
There is no current evidence that the virus can be carried in breast milk and it is understood that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission.
RCOG President, Dr Edward Morris, said the guidance was written to ensure maternity units across the country “are providing consistent and safe care to pregnant women” with suspected or confirmed coronavirus.
He added: “As this is a very new virus we are just beginning to learn about it, so the guidance will be kept under regular review as new evidence emerges.
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“Over the coming weeks and months it is likely pregnant women in the UK will test positive for coronavirus. While the data is currently limited it is reassuring that there is no evidence that the virus can pass to a baby during pregnancy.”
At time of writing, the number of people with the coronavirus in the UK has risen to 456 after a further 83 tested positive for the disease in the last 24 hours.
The NHS in England is set to “ramp up” facilities nationwide so 10,000 tests can be done each day.
The chancellor has told British people fearful of the coronavirus that “we will get through this together”.
Rishi Sunak used his budget to unveil a £30bn stimulus for the UK as it prepares to be hit by the worldwide impact of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Pregnant women not at greater risk, experts say
