This information is a combination of the national guidance and information about our local maternity service. We will update this regularly as the situation changes.
Visit the NHS coronavirus pages for the latest information on symptoms, testing and isolation.
Pregnancy and Coronavirus - British Sign Language (NHS on YouTube)
Click here to read specific information for pregnant women issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Please note that visiting is restricted to a single birthing partner only across antenatal, labour and post-natal areas in all of our maternity units.
Please let staff know if you test positive for Covid-19 before you come into hospital.
Information about the health of pregnant women who have a COVID infection and the effect for them and their babies has been collected since the start of the pandemic. There is growing evidence showing that women who are pregnant are at increased risk of serious consequences from coronavirus (COVID-19). The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have now placed all pregnant women in an “at risk” clinical risk group within the COVID-19 vaccination programme. These risks increase further if you have medical problems (like diabetes or high blood pressure) or are overweight, over 35 years old, from a Black or Asian background or are in the last trimester of pregnancy.
The vaccine may cause short-term mild side effects (such as a sore injection site or mild fever) but has been shown to be beneficial by:
- Reducing severe disease in pregnant women (over 96% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with severe symptoms of COVID since February 2021 were unvaccinated).
- Reduce risk of stillbirth and preterm birth for babies.
- Reduce risk of transmission to other vulnerable people in your household, family, workplace or staff caring for you in the maternity service.
Is it safe?
Several hundred thousand pregnant women across the world have already received a COVID-19 vaccine, and no safety concerns have been identified.
- There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines used in pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirths, congenital abnormalities or birth complications. Having a UK approved COVID-19 vaccine is safer than having COVID-19 itself.
- The COVID-19 vaccine is not “live” which means you cannot catch COVID from the vaccine, however, antibodies (the immunity that your body creates when you have the vaccine), can protect your baby by crossing through the placenta or breastmilk to your baby. Many other non-live vaccines have been safely given in pregnancy for many years (including flu and whooping cough vaccines).
- COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that are known to be harmful to pregnant women or to a developing baby.
When should I have the vaccine?
You can have the vaccine at any stage of pregnancy or after giving birth, there is no need to wait until after the first 12 weeks. The first and second doses of the vaccine should be given 8 weeks apart and the booster dose after a further 3 months. If you have already started the vaccination course you can continue in pregnancy and will be advised to have the same type of vaccine as a second dose, even if there has been a long delay since your first vaccine. If you have recently had a COVID infection you should wait for 28 days from your first symptoms, or from your positive PCR test if were asymptomatic, before booking a vaccination.
For more information about the COVID vaccine please click here. We have also prepared a video of health professionals from across Hampshire discussing vaccination in pregnancy and whilst breast feeding. It can be accessed by clicking this link.
To find our where you can get a COVID vaccination locally please call 119 or click here for more details.
Visiting guidance for our maternity departments can be found here on our 'Visiting' page.
updated 04.08.2023
Please see the attached information
If you are having a planned caesarean section, both yourself and your birthing partner will be asked to book COVID swabs at the hospital to be performed at the same time as your pre-assessment appointment. Following these swabs you should both isolate at home until your admission – usually 24-48 hours later.
An advice line is available for pregnant women, allowing them to speak to midwives and maternity support workers about their questions and concerns, both in terms of COVID-19 and generally.
Women should call 01962 824481 and the line will initially be open from from 0800-1600, seven days a week, with a view to extending these times in the near future.
Women should continue to call Labour Line if they are going into labour, or the Day Assessment Unit if they have immediate concerns about themselves or their babies.
Outside of the advice line hours, women should continue to call the relevant contact numbers on their maternity notes.
If your birth partner does not have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) they can still come into hospital with you.
In line with national advice, all partners of patients with symptoms will be given a mask to wear due to having close contact with another person who may have coronavirus, which will be given to them prior to entering the hospital building. Only one birth partner may accompany you and other visiting restrictions are in place across our hospitals, which can be found here.
If your birth partner does have symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19, they should self-isolate and not attend the unit with you. We understand that this may be stressful or upsetting, so please think about a potential alternative birth partner who may be able to accompany you.
Attending a maternity outpatient appointment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Coronavirus: Parent information for newborn babies (NHS leaflet)
Coronavirus: Planning your birth (NHS leaflet)
Coronavirus: Looking after yourself and your baby in pregnancy (NHS leaflet)
Coronavirus: Looking after yourself and your baby in pregnancy - translated versions (NHS website)