Should I get pregnant during the COVID era?

by | Babies and Pregnancy, Coronavirus - COVID-19

Dr Norman Swan, Physician and Journalist

There’s more and more evidence coming out about whether or not there are real risks in terms of becoming pregnant during COVID-19.

Are there risks to the baby?

There’s no convincing evidence that the virus passes from mother to fetus in the womb. There is some indication that there is a higher than average increase in preterm births. Some babies have caught COVID-19, it’s unclear whether they caught it from the mum in the womb, or the mum, or a relative afterwards, and that’s a risk.

Are there risks to the mother?

There doesn’t seem to be increased risk to pregnant women, although that’s a little bit uncertain at the moment. You’d think there was more evidence than there is about pregnancy, but such that it is, there is a higher risk, but it’s not hugely higher. It doesn’t mean that you should not get pregnant during the COVID-19 era, these are just things that you need to do for your own planning.

What precautions should you take when you do get pregnant?

But when you are pregnant in the COVID-19 era, you’ve gotta wear masks, you’ve gotta be super careful and not mix with large numbers of people unnecessarily. Just be prudent and follow your common sense.

Dr Norman Swan, Physician and Journalist