Healthy Communities

COVID-19 and Pregnancy

Reports and research show that pregnant and recently pregnant women have a higher risk of more severe illness from COVID-19 than nonpregnant women.

 

The best way to protect yourself and your baby against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated.

 

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an illness that affects the lungs and breathing. It is caused by a new coronavirus. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, and trouble breathing. COVID-19 may also cause stomach problems, such as nausea and diarrhea, and a loss of your sense of smell or taste. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after you are exposed to the virus. Some people with COVID-19 may have no symptoms or only mild symptoms.

How does COVID-19 affect pregnant and recently pregnant women?

Reports and research show that pregnant and recently pregnant women have a higher risk of more severe illness from COVID-19 than nonpregnant women. Reports note that:

Reports also note the following for pregnant women with COVID-19:

How can COVID-19 affect a fetus or newborn?     

Reports of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy have shown the following:

After birth, reports have shown the following:

Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) strongly recommends vaccination if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant. Read COVID-19 Vaccines: Answers From Ob-Gyns to learn more, and talk with your obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) if you have questions.

Key points to remember:

Resources for the Community

Resources for Providers

Project W at the Arkansas Department of Health

The Arkansas Department of Health is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help protect mothers and babies from the consequences of public health emergencies.

Our health department, in collaboration with CDC, is monitoring pregnant women who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 through the end of their pregnancy and monitoring their infants through at least 6 months of age. We report cases of COVID-19 to CDC as part of CDC’s Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network (SET-NET) (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/aboutus/pregnancy/emerging-threats.html). Data collected as part of these efforts can help direct public health action and inform clinical guidance for the care of affected pregnant women and their infants. You can find the latest data on CDC’s webpage on Birth and Infant Outcomes.

Please contact us at 501-280-4830 or email ADH.ProjectW@arkansas.gov with any questions.

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Arkansas Department of Health
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