Impact on prenatal care Talk to your health care provider about precautions taken to protect you during appointments or
whether virtual prenatal care is an option for you. Ask if there are any tools you can carry with you
at home, such as a blood pressure monitor or a device to monitor your oxygen levels (pulse oximeter).
To get the most out of virtual visits, make a list of questions ahead of time and take detailed notes.
Online childbirth preparation classes may also be an option.
If you have certain risk factors during pregnancy, virtual visits may not be an option. Check with your
healthcare provider to see how this might affect your care.
Labor and delivery recommendations If you are healthy and nearing the end of pregnancy, some aspects of your labor and delivery may
proceed as usual. However, be prepared to be flexible.
If you are scheduled for induction of labor or cesarean section, you and your caregiver may be
screened for COVID -19 symptoms before you arrive at the hospital. You may be screened again
before you enter the delivery room. If you have symptoms of the virus that causes COVID -19, the
induction of labor or cesarean section may be postponed.
To protect you and your baby's health, some facilities may limit the number of people allowed in the
room during delivery. This may also affect visits after delivery. Also, you and the person you are with
may be checked daily for symptoms during your hospital stay. Talk to your health care provider about
any restrictions that may apply.
If you have COVID -19 or are waiting for test results due to symptoms during your postpartum
hospital stay, wear a well-fitting face mask and have clean hands when caring for your newborn. If
possible, keep an appropriate distance from your baby. If these measures are taken, the risk of a
newborn becoming infected with the virus COVID -19 is low.
However, if you are severely ill with COVID -19, you may need to be temporarily separated from
your newborn.