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COVID-19 in Pregnancy Information North West Regional Hospital

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What can I do to reduce my risk of catching COVID-19? 

The most important things you can do are:

  • getting vaccinated (see below)
  • wearing a mask when needed
  • maintaining good hygiene - washing your hands often with soap and warm running water or alcohol-base hand rub, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, after visiting public places and before eating, drinking or touching your face
  • frequently and thoroughly clean surfaces at home and at work, using either detergent or disinfectant
  • maintaining social distancing - keeping 1.5 metres or two large steps from other people
  • staying healthy by exercising regularly, getting lots of sleep, and eating a healthy diet. This will not stop you from catching COVID-19, but taking these steps will help maintain your immune system, which may make any illness less severe. It is also important to stop smoking – talk to your doctor or midwife.

For more detailed advice, visit the Tasmanian Coronavirus website     

Vaccinations

All pregnant women are encouraged to have one of the two available mRNA coronavirus vaccines –Pfizer, Moderna[MS1]  or Novavax. Vaccination at any stage of pregnancy is safe and lowers the risk of the pregnant woman becoming very unwell with COVID-19 and the risk of complications for the baby (such as preterm birth). Having the vaccine while pregnant will also provide some protection for your baby.

Women can protect themselves and their babies by making sure that they have the recommended immunisations for seasonal influenza (“flu”) and pertussis (whooping cough).

Influenza immunisations should be arranged as soon as they become available, whatever stage of pregnancy you are at. Pertussis immunisations are recommended after 20 weeks gestation.

What effect does COVID-19 have on pregnant women? 

It appears pregnant women are no more likely to become infected by COVID-19 than anyone else. However, pregnant women have altered immunity and may become more unwell with infections than other people. It is expected the majority of pregnant women will experience only mild or moderate cold/flu like symptoms if they become infected with COVID-19. 

More severe symptoms such as pneumonia appear to be more common in older people, those with weakened immune systems, or long-term health conditions. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or an underlying heart or lung condition you may be more unwell with COVID-19.

Women in the last trimester of pregnancy are more likely than others to become unwell if they contract the virus. Women above 28 weeks’ gestation should be especially careful to practice COVID-safe behaviours.

We understand that pregnant women are anxious about their own health and that of their unborn baby. Helpful and up to date information can be found below:

Information about testing for COVID-19 and for positive cases is available on the Tasmanian coronavirus website

If you test positive to COVID-19, make sure you contact your obstetrician or GP to let them know.

Will there be any changes to my antenatal care? 

We will continue to run a high-quality obstetric service during the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time making changes to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection for patients and staff.

Some changes you might notice at the North West Regional Hospital include:

  • shortening the duration of antenatal visits
  • using telephone consultations where possible
  • avoiding face to face antenatal classes
  • restricting visitors: currently only one visitor may be permitted whilst on maternity ward within visiting hours if fully vaccinated. Your partner and an extra support person can be present during labour and at the birth of your baby if they are fully vaccinated. If they are not fully vaccinated, an exemption can be sought from the North West Private Hospital by phoning (03) 6432 6000
  • no other visitors to attend the antenatal clinic; if a support person/carer is required please call the antenatal clinic prior to visit on 1800 940 766 for Mersey Community Hospital and 1800 940 747 for North West Regional Hospital
  • earlier discharge from hospital than would otherwise be planned with increased support from extended midwifery service at home.

Throughout this time, your health, and the health of your baby remains our priority.

Can I still attend my antenatal appointments if I have COVID-19 and am isolating, or am in quarantine? 

You should contact the Maternity Unit on (03) 6432 6031 or Antenatal Clinic 1800 940 747 to inform them that you have tested positive to COVID-19 or are currently in quarantine, and ask for advice on attending routine antenatal appointments.

Routine face-to-face antenatal appointments will be delayed until your isolation or quarantine period ends. If your appointment cannot wait, special arrangements will be made for you to be seen. For example, you may be asked to attend at a different time, or in a different clinic.  

Will North West Maternity contact me if I have COVID 19?

You will need to contact the North West Maternity service to let us know you have tested positive to COVID-19. We will then contact you to:

  • Work out if you are at risk for moderate to severe COVID infection.
    • If you are high risk during your pregnancy, for example not being fully vaccinated or have medical conditions, you may have some medicines prescribed.
  • Check on pregnancy health by telehealth.
  • After this triage call, the number of COVID-19 monitoring calls will be individualised to your needs.

Low Risk Women

    • Most ‘low risk’ pregnant women will not need additional contact from us during their isolation period. You should monitor your COVID-19 symptoms and baby’s movements and contact us at any time if you are concerned

Higher Risk Women

    • If you are sicker or have risk factors for severe disease, you will receive calls regularly during your isolation period from a midwife, obstetrician or physician.

Calls usually stop when you have recovered. You are likely to have a discharge call . If you have had severe COVID, we will follow you through until day 10 or until you are recovered.

How will my care be managed after I have recovered from coronavirus? 

An ultrasound scan may be arranged a few weeks after your recovery to check that your baby is well.  

If you have recovered from COVID-19 and have a negative test result before you go into labour, where and how you give birth will not be affected by your previous illness.  

Will being in isolation for suspected or confirmed coronavirus affect where I give birth? 

If you are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 and go into labour, you should contact the Maternity Unit prior to presenting to hospital (03 6432 6031).

During labour, your baby’s heart rate will be continuously monitored to check how your baby is coping with labour. Your oxygen levels will also be monitored with a probe attached to your finger. As continuous foetal monitoring can currently only take place in a hospital maternity unit where doctors and midwives are present, it is not recommended that you give birth at home. 

What happens if I go into labour during quarantine or isolation? 

If you go into labour, you should call the Maternity Unit on (03) 6432 6031 for advice and tell them that you are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19.  

If you are well, you will be encouraged to remain at home in early labour as per standard practice.

When you and your maternity team decide you need to come to hospital:

  • you should come in by private transport (your own car) if possible.
  • you will be met at the hospital entrance and given a surgical face mask which will need to stay on until you are in a birthing room  
  • your birth partner will be able to stay with you throughout your labour if they are fully vaccinated or have an exemption from the North West Private Hospital.

Can a newborn baby catch coronavirus, or could I pass coronavirus to my baby?

There is a small chance that the baby can catch the virus from his/her mother during pregnancy. There are no known cases of birth defects due to COVID-19 infection. Babies can become infected with coronavirus from their parents, or other infected family members after birth.  Babies who have been infected with coronavirus seem to have mild symptoms and to recover quickly. Most babies born to mothers with coronavirus remain well, but a small proportion (about 10%) develop a flu-like illness at 2-3 weeks of life.

If your baby develops breathing difficulties (e.g. fast breathing, cough), poor feeding, is pale and/or has a fever then you should seek medical attention.

Will I be able to stay with my baby/give skin-to-skin if I have suspected or confirmed coronavirus? 

Yes, if that is your choice.  As long as your baby is well and doesn’t need care in the neonatal unit, you will be kept together after you give birth.  We will give you advice on how to feed and care for your baby safely.

A discussion about the risks and benefits of staying with the baby should take place between you and your family and the doctors caring for your baby (paediatricians).  If you are positive for coronavirus and your baby requires care in the Neonatal ICU or Special Care Nursery, you will not be able to visit baby until you have completed any prescribed quarantine and tested negative.

Will I be able to breastfeed my baby? 

Yes.  At the moment there is no evidence that the virus can be carried in breastmilk, so it’s felt that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of coronavirus through breastmilk.  The main risk of breastfeeding is the close contact between you and your baby, which might lead to the baby coming infected.

A discussion about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding should take place between you and your family and maternity team.  If you choose to breastfeed your baby, the following precautions are recommended: 

  • wash your hands before touching your baby, breast pump or bottles 
  • wear a face mask when within 1.5 m of baby and during breastfeeding
  • follow recommendations for pump cleaning after each use 
  • consider asking someone who is well to feed expressed milk to your baby.

If you choose to feed your baby with formula or expressed milk, it is recommended that you follow the sterilisation instructions carefully.  If you are expressing breast milk in hospital, a dedicated breast pump should be used.  

If you have any mental health or wellbeing concerns

Being stuck at home can lead to severe strain on family relationships and mental health, especially if there are other problems such as money worries. For help and advice on counselling services, contact the following services:

 
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