COVID-19 advice for pregnant women and new parents

Simple steps to protect yourself

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Speak to your doctor before you get sick

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Understand what test to do when you feel unwell

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Check if you're eligible for appropriate treatments if you test positive

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Stay up to date with your recommended vaccinations

Staying safe

There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 if you are pregnant, planning a family or are a new parent:

• stay up to date with your recommended COVID-19 vaccinations
• stay home if you are sick and wear a mask if you need to leave home
• avoid crowded spaces
• consider doing a rapid antigen test (RAT) before visiting people at higher risk of severe illness
• practice good hand hygiene, including regular handwashing
• continue to attend any medical appointments you may have
• talk to your doctor or midwife now so you understand your options if you test positive to COVID-19, including what test you should get if you get sick and if you need a pathology form for the test.
• get together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows

Antiviral medicines are generally not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and test positive to COVID-19, however there may be other treatments available. For more information, speak to your doctor or midwife.

COVID-19 vaccinations for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy

If you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, you are recommended to get vaccinated if you are:

• pregnant
• breastfeeding, or
• planning pregnancy.

If you have been vaccinated against COVID-19, you may be recommended to receive an additional dose. Speak to your doctor or midwife about COVID-19 vaccination and what is right for you.

For more information:

• read the advice provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Australian Immunisation Handbook
• read the COVID-19 vaccination - Shared decision making guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy
• read recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)

Book your appointment online

A free Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 131 450 is also available.

For free health advice, call the Healthdirect 24 Hour Health Advice Line on 1800 022 222

Get answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS). NCIRS is the leading research organisation in Australia on vaccine preventable diseases and immunisation.

Getting tested for COVID-19

Pregnant women may be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (more likely to get very sick and may be at risk of needing hospital care) than women who are not pregnant.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough or fever), contact your doctor for testing advice. 

If you can't contact your doctor, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or use the online service finder to find a GP near you.

If your doctor recommends a COVID-19 PCR test, they will give you a pathology referral form for a free COVID-19 PCR test. 

The referral form will have a private pathology provider location on it which you will need to visit so you can get tested.

For more information, visit What COVID-19 test should I do?

For more information if you test positive to COVID-19, visit Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home.

If you test positive to COVID-19

Most pregnant women will be able to safely stay at home while they have COVID-19. During this time it is important to do the following:

• You can take paracetamol if you feel unwell, to help with symptoms. Ibuprofen is not recommended while you are pregnant
• Stay hydrated
• Mobilise regularly to reduce your risk of developing blood clots. If you have a history of blood clots or are obese, please contact your doctor or maternity care provider to discuss your care options
• Keep a close eye on your baby’s movements. Call your maternity care provider immediately if your baby’s movements change, if you are in labour or experience:
  o    vaginal bleeding
  o    abdominal pain
  o    constant clear watery vaginal discharge
  o    contractions any time before 37 weeks
  o    persistent fever
  o    headaches
  o    sudden swelling of your face and hands
  o    have any serious concerns about your pregnancy
• Call Triple Zero (000) if you have difficulty breathing, develop chest pressure or pain, have severe headaches or dizziness. Tell ambulance staff that you have COVID-19 and are pregnant.
• Continue your regular antenatal care after recovering from COVID-19.    

If you have tested positive to COVID-19 in the week before a planned caesarean or induction of labour, or you have recently tested positive and are in labour, call your midwife or doctor.

For more information, see the testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home fact sheet.

If you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19

If you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, you are at increased risk of getting COVID-19. There are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk to others:

• Monitor for symptoms. If you get symptoms, contact your doctor for testing advice and stay home until your symptoms are gone. Wear a mask to protect others if you have symptoms and need to leave home.
• Maintain physical distancing where possible and get together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows.
• Practice good hand hygiene, including regular handwashing.
• Unless it is for medical care, avoid visiting hospitals or other healthcare settings for at least 7 days. If you have to visit do a rapid antigen test and wear a mask. If your due date, planned caesarean or induction of labour is during this time, call your midwife or doctor.
• Avoid visiting other high-risk settings such as aged or disability care facilities, or visiting anyone at higher risk of severe illness for at least 7 days.
• Regular rapid antigen testing (RAT) may help identify the infection early – this is particularly important if you are in contact with people at high risk of severe illness.

See the advice for people exposed to COVID-19 fact sheet for more information.

Breastfeeding and COVID-19

You can keep breastfeeding if you have COVID-19. Breastfeeding is safe and the best way to feed your baby. For more information about breastfeeding with COVID-19, visit breastfeeding with COVID-19 or flu.

Information for parents and carers

Most children who test positive to COVID-19 can be safely cared for at home..

See the testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 at home fact sheet for more information.

Contact your doctor or the 24-hour healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 if you are concerned about any symptoms your child has.