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Information for Pregnant Patients
Kelsey Seybold Clinic is actively and carefully monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been declared a national emergency. We’re continually reviewing the latest information nationally through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine.
Though this novel coronavirus is a high risk for older individuals (65 years and older), it can be a problem for women who are pregnant, near delivery, or who recently delivered.
- Pregnant women experience changes in their bodies that may increase their risk of some infections, including COVID-19. With viruses from the same family as COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza, women have had a higher risk of developing sever illness. Therefore, it is always important for pregnant women to protect themselves from illnesses.
- At this time, It is unknown what if any risk there is to infants of a pregnant women who has COVID-19. Any woman who is pregnant is urged to following recommendations for preventing infection.
- COVID-19 infection in women who are pregnant may result in premature birth and in severe cases may cause pneumonia.
- After you deliver, if you are well, we’ll make every effort to get you and you baby home safely. Mothers who have COVID-19 may need to be separated from their babies after delivery to prevent infecting their newborn. Each case will be determined on an individual basis with unique recommendations made according to the circumstances.
- So far, there’s no evidence the virus has been found in the breast milk or amniotic fluid of women infected with COVID-19.
- It is not yet known whether COVID-19 can be spread from mother to infant through breast milk. Whether an infected mother should start or continue breastfeeding will be determined by the mother and her physician. Infected and non-infected mothers who are breastfeeding should always wash their hands thoroughly before touching their babies, a manual or electric breast pump, or bottle parts.
Prevention Is Key
Prevention of infection is the best defense for pregnant women. Avoid travel, crowds, and contact with those who may have the infection. The importance of careful handwashing can’t be stressed enough. COVID-19 is passed to others by infected respiratory droplets spread by coughing and/or sneezing. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly inhaled into the lungs. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching her own mouth, nose, or eyes., bringing COVID-19 into the body resulting in an infection.
The most successful strategies to slow and prevent the spread of the infection are to put distance (at least 6 feet) between yourself and other, whether you’re healthy or infected, and isolate yourself from others if you have COVID-19 by staying home and in a separate room from others. It is best to follow local and national initiatives to limit contact with others in the community.
Continue Your OB Appointments
During pregnancy, you’ll still need visits with your Kelsey Seybold doctors. We’re making every effort to create the safest environment for you and the care you need in our clinics and affiliated hospitals will continue uninterrupted. Call the office if you have any questions or concerns. News reports concerning COVID-19 can be alarming but let me reassure you that you and your growing family will be cared for by Kelsey-Seybold with caring, understanding, and dedication.
Jesus Samaniego Jr., M.D.
Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Kelsey Seybold Clinic
