New Coronavirus Advice For Pregnant Women Has Been Issued

Pregnant women are being advised to minimise social contact for up to 12 weeks as of this weekend, according to new government guidance. They join other at-risk groups including those with underlying health conditions and over-70s in being asked to stay at home.

Issued yesterday, the new advice states that pregnant women should stay away from others ‘as much as they can’ and join other vulnerable groups in doing the following:

‘Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough.

‘Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible.

‘Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information.

‘Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs.

‘Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.

‘Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.’

According to the UK government's chief medical advisor, Professor Chris Whitty, limited evidence suggests there are currently no known coronavirus-related complications in pregnancy but we are still ‘very early in what we know about this’.

‘Infections and pregnancy are not a good combination in general and that is why we have taken the very precautionary measure while we try and find out more,’ he said yesterday.

Questions have been raised about how pregnant women can attend doctor’s appointments or do the school run if they have other children, with no government advice as of yet. All that’s been advised is to follow the new guidelines as ‘stringently’ as possible and to remain 2m (6ft) away from other people if contact is essential.

The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) will be updating its advice to reflect the new government guidelines.

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