Covid-19 during pregnancy

[GarryDrold]

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a respiratory illness that can be serious. It is caused by a newly identified virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

• Based on available information, the risk of getting COVID-19 and/or its causing severe symptoms seems to be the same for pregnant women as for other adults.
• The risk of problems during pregnancy (such as preterm labor, birth of a premature newborn, and preeclampsia) may be increased if symptoms are moderate or severe.
• Doctors suspect COVID-19 based on symptoms and the likelihood of exposure, but tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.

The risk of a pregnant woman transmitting COVID-19 to the fetus appears to be very low. But once the baby is born, person-to-person spread is possible.