What should I do if I test positive to COVID-19?

If you are pregnant and have tested positive to COVID-19, you should contact your maternity care providers, such as your doctor or midwife. They will be able to assess your condition and advise you on the best way to get your regular maternity care while you are isolating with COVID-19.

Am I at an increased risk of complications from COVID-19 if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, you are at an increased risk of severe symptoms that may require:

• admission to hospital for treatment
• admission to an intensive care unit (ICU)
• invasive ventilation (breathing life support)

You are also more likely to experience moderate or severe symptoms of COVID-19 if you:

• are over 35 years old
• living with overweight or obesity
• have high blood pressure (before you were pregnant)
• have type 1 or 2 diabetes (before you were pregnant)

Vaccination against COVID-19 is the best way to reduce your chance of complications for you and your baby.

Can COVID-19 affect my baby?

If you are unvaccinated and catch COVID-19 while pregnant, your baby will have an increased risk of:

• premature
• stillbirth
• needing treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth

It is very unlikely that you will pass COVID-19 on to your baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

How can I treat COVID-19 at home if I’m pregnant?

If you have been advised that you can safely recover from COVID-19 at home, there are several things you can do to relieve the symptoms:

• rest as much as possible
• drink plenty of fluids
• take paracetamol to ease your symptoms (avoid ibuprofen, as it is not safe to take during pregnancy)

You should also monitor your baby's movements and look out for any signs that your symptoms are getting worse.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Many people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms during pregnancy, such as:

• a sore throat
• cough
• loss of taste or smell
• occasional vomiting or diarrhoea
• tiredness
• mild headache
• fever and chills

If your symptoms get worse, contact your doctor.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

How do I know if my symptoms are getting worse?

These COVID-19 symptoms are considered moderate:

• feeling short of breath while you’re active, such as needing to breathe more heavily while walking around the house
• persistent fever above 38°C that doesn’t go down with treatment such as paracetamol
• persistent, worsening cough that produces mucus
• feeling dizzy or weak, making it hard to do your usual activities
• drinking less than normal, and passing less urine than usual, but more than half the normal amount
• vomiting or diarrhoea more than 4 times in 24 hours

These COVID-19 symptoms are considered severe:

• short of breath at rest or not being able to speak in sentences
• unconsciousness, fainting or drowsiness
• pale lips or skin; cold and clammy skin
• pain or pressure in the chest lasting more than 10 minutes
• confusion or severe headache
• passing much less urine than usual, or none at all
• coughing up blood

When should I contact my doctor?

If you have severe symptoms of COVID-19, get in touch with your doctor or midwife as soon as possible. Otherwise go to the nearest hospital department immediately.

You should also contact your doctor or midwife immediately if you experience:

• a change in your baby's movements
• vaginal bleeding
• constant, clear vaginal discharge
• abdominal pain
• contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy
• a sudden, severe headache
• sudden swelling of your hands or face

Tell your maternity care providers that you have COVID-19 so they can best advise you what to do.

Can I go to regular antenatal appointments if I have COVID-19?

Speak to your maternity care providers on how to best attend your regular antenatal appointments. Face-to-face consultations will be limited to essential appointments only, to prevent passing COVID-19 to your care providers or others in the waiting room.

You should be able to have essential appointments in person, if you follow face mask and hand hygiene guidelines. You may be able to have some appointments over the phone or by video call ('telehealth').

It’s important that you keep up with your antenatal appointments, even if you have COVID-19. Your doctor or midwife can advise you if you need to make any changes to your <>usual tests, scans and vaccinations.

What happens if I go into labour while I have COVID-19?

You’ll still be able to have your baby as planned in a hospital or birthing centre, although some choices such as water birth may not be available in some hospitals Check with your hospital or birthing centre about their guidelines for labour and birth with COVID-19.

You should still be able to have pain relief and will usually be able to give birth in whichever position works for you.

If you're planning a home birth, your healthcare providers may recommend that you have your baby in a hospital instead.

During labour, your health team will monitor both you and your baby to ensure that you stay well.

It’s not necessary to have a caesarean because of COVID-19, unless there are other complications with your labour. It’s unlikely that birthing your baby via a caesarean section reduces the chance of passing COVID-19 to the baby.

What if I am having a caesarean?

If you were planning to have a caesarean, you should still be able to have one, though it’s a good idea to confirm with your doctor.

If I have COVID-19, can I have my partner or birth support person with me when I give birth?

Most hospitals in Australia have guidelines on how many support people are allowed to be with you during labour and birth, which may change if you have COVID-19. It’s likely that at least one person (usually your partner or a nominated birth support partner) will be able to support you during labour and birth, but it’s important to seek advice from your doctor or midwife.

It’s a good idea to check with the hospital or birthing centre beforehand, as there may be other requirements. For example, your support person may need to be fully vaccinated and/or wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a mask, gloves and a gown during your baby’s birth. The rules may change based on your state department of health recommendations at the time you give birth.

Will I be able to hold my baby?

In most cases, COVID-19 will not affect contact with your baby after birth. Skin-to-skin contact is an important part of bonding with your baby after giving birth. However, it's important to follow safety measures recommended by your midwife, such as wearing a mask and practicing good hand hygiene.

The midwives will advise you on how to breastfeed and cuddle your baby in the safest way possible.

How do I protect my baby if I have COVID-19?

If you have COVID-19, you can still care for your baby, but you'll need to follow some guidelines to protect your newborn.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitiser, especially before touching your baby or any equipment used for feeding or care, such as bottles or a breast pump.
• Wear a surgical mask whenever you're near your baby. Don’t reuse masks and dispose of them immediately after use. Don’t touch the front of the mask when you are wearing it and wash your hands before putting the mask on and when you remove it.
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow and wash your hands immediately. If you happen to cough or sneeze on your breast, wash the area with soap and water before breastfeeding or expressing milk.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and feeding equipment regularly.
• Avoid having visitors to your home if you have COVID-19. Once you have finished isolating, limit the number of visitors to your home and ask that they wear a mask and are fully vaccinated.

If you are fully vaccinated, you will have passed on some antibodies to your baby before birth and while breastfeeding — this will give your baby some protection.

Will my baby be able to stay with me?

If you are well, your baby should be able to stay with you, if you follow mask and hygiene guidelines to protect your baby.

If you are unwell, you might be moved to a part of the hospital that is treating other people with COVID-19. If you aren’t able to look after your baby yourself, your baby will be looked after in the nursery, or at home with your partner or a suitable caregiver.

Should I still breastfeed if I have COVID-19?

Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to protect your baby from many different illnesses, including COVID-19.

If you catch COVID-19 while you are breastfeeding, you can reduce the chance of passing it on to your baby:

• Wear a surgical mask while you are breastfeeding your baby.
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow and wash your hands immediately.
• Practise good hand and cough hygiene.
• If you are too unwell to breastfeed, consider expressing your breastmilk and have someone who is not infected feed your baby.

Your doctor, midwife or child health nurse will be able to advise you of the best way to breastfeed your baby.

Australian Breastfeeding Association Helpline on 1800 686 268 if you need support with breastfeeding.

Resources and support

The best person to speak to is your maternity care provider, such as your doctor or midwife. They will be able to give you the information and advice you need.

Visit the Department of Health and Aged Care to learn more about pregnancy, breastfeeding and COVID-19 vaccines.

Australian Breastfeeding Association Helpline on 1800 686 268 if you need support with breastfeeding.

Read more on COVID-19, including testing, isolation, recovery and more.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Visit the Australian government page for information during pregnancy and for parents with babies during COVID-19.