According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the impact of COVID-19 on reproduction, IVF treatment, and pregnancy is limited. There are reports of women who have tested positive for COVID-19, who have delivered babies who do not have the disease. Additionally, there is limited information from published scientific reports about the susceptibility of pregnant women to COVID-19.
IVF and Coronavirus: What We Know
In general, pregnant women experience immunologic and physiologic changes that make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including potentially COVID-19. It is reasonable to predict that pregnant women might be at greater risk for severe illness, morbidity, or mortality compared with the general population, as is observed with other related coronavirus infections.
Pregnant women who have severe chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk of preterm delivery and other pregnancy complication, which would require closer fetal monitoring.
It is unknown if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can transmit the virus that causes COVID-19 to her fetus or neonate by other routes of vertical transmission (before, during, or after delivery). However, in recently published case series of infants born to mothers with COVID-19, none of the infants tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Additionally, the virus was not detected in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk.
At this time, there are limited data available regarding the risks associated with COVID-19 infection in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. As data comes in, we will keep you informed. Check back often.
How Can Pregnant Women Protect Against COVID-19?
Pregnant women should do the same things as the general public to avoid infection:
- Cover your cough (using your elbow is a good technique)
- Avoid people who are sick
- Clean your hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer