What are the risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy?

It is known that with other viruses like influenza, pregnant women can get sicker than non-pregnant women. While we know that most pregnant persons will only experience mild symptoms, there is an increased risk of severe complications including hospitalization, admission to ICU, and premature delivery. 

At this time we are not aware of any evidence of vertical transmission (passing the COVID-19 infection to the baby through the placenta).  The majority of complications for babies are related to the need to deliver them prematurely in order to stabilize and care for mom.

How are we keeping you safe in our office?

  • note we will no longer be pre-screening every patient prior to your appointment

  • If you have respiratory symptoms and/or fever, please PUT ON A MASK, and we will do the same.

What are the current hospital visitor's policy?

  • There are no longer visitor restrictions at the hospital

How can you protect yourself and your family?

  • We strongly encourage getting your COVID-19 Vaccine and encourage your loved ones to do the same.   Did you know pregnant persons (at any point in their pregnancy) are now being priortized to receive their COVID-19 vaccine?  To register for your vaccine it is an easy 2 step process:

1)Register at gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated

2)then phone the Call Centre at 1-833-838-2323 to identify yourself as pregnant

Given the increased risk to pregnant women, it is strongly recommended by the BC Minister of Health, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) for women to get their COVID-19 at any point in the pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

We understand this is a big decision in considering what is best for you and your baby.  We support the current recommendation to vaccinate pregnant and breastfeeding persons based national and international data on the known increased risk if infected with COVID-19 vs the theoretical risk of side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. Your maternity physician is happy to discuss this further and answer your questions to the best of our ability.

Please download the handout (at the bottom of this screen) on steps you can take to protect your baby from COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Persons infected with COVID-19 may be completely asymptomatic or very unwell with severe respiratory symptoms requiring hospitalization and ICU support.  The most common symptoms are fever/chills, cough, difficulty breathing and loss of smell/taste.

For a complete list of symptoms click here

What do you do if you feel unwell?

If you have mild symptoms please self-isolate at home, do not go to the hospital, and review the links below for more guidance.  Please rest and hydrate, Tylenol can be used safely if needed, and if you are over 28 weeks pregnant you can perform daily fetal movement counting.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, consider not testing for at least 48 hours after the onset of symptoms to decrease the chance of having a false negative.  Testing is being performed at UFV. 

To book an appointment to get tested click book your COVID-19 test. 

If positive, please call our office to advise your maternity care provider.

You can call 811 at any time to speak to a nurse and get advice about how you are feeling.

Please avoid going to the Emergency Room or Maternity Triage for COVID-19 testing; Emergency services (including maternity triage) is to provide care is for patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19 or with acute pregnancy concerns.

Further information on COVID-19 & Pregnancy: