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COVID-19 Advice

Whittington staff member wearing mask

I am pregnant and have tested positive for COVID-19, what should I do?

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are pregnant, please let us know by contacting your midwife or midwife team via their email.
 
Most people will only have mild symptoms and feel better within a few weeks.
 
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing worsening symptoms such as chest pain or continuous shortness of breath, please go to the Emergency Department.
 
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are worried about your baby’s movements, have any vaginal bleeding, unresolving pain or any other pregnancy concerns, please attend Maternity Triage . Please call us ahead of attending on 020 7288 5880 so a side room can be arranged.

How to treat COVID-19 symptoms at home

To ease any symptoms you may have we encourage you to:
 
  • Get lots of rest
  • Drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration – drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clear
  • Take paracetamol if you feel uncomfortable (as per instructions on packet)
  • To help ease a cough, try having a teaspoon of honey. If this does not help, you could contact your local pharmacist for advice about cough treatments

Upcoming antenatal/postnatal appointments

Once you have let us know you have tested positive for COVID-19, we will rearrange any upcoming appointments for you. Please do not attend the hospital for your appointments unless you have tested negative (unless you need to be seen in maternity triage with urgent concerns).

Visiting policy when testing positive for COVID-19

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and go into labour, you are still entitled to have 2 birthing partners accompanying you. Your visitors will be provided with the appropriate PPE and hand-washing instructions. As a general policy all patients and visitors are advised to avoid coming into the hospital if they have flu or respiratory symptoms or any other signs of an infection. Please seek advice over the phone by calling Maternity Triage , unless in an emergency.

COVID-19 testing

If you are symptomatic of COVID-19, we encourage all pregnant people and their chosen companions to consider taking rapid lateral flow tests. These are no longer available to order freely with NHS but you may be able to pick up free rapid lateral flow test kits at some pharmacies. Please click here for more information.

Are you pregnant or breastfeeding and considering whether to have the COVID-19 vaccination?

Are you pregnant or breastfeeding and considering whether to have the COVID-19 vaccination?
If you're pregnant, it's strongly recommended you get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect you and your baby. You’re at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you're pregnant.
 
We have an appointment only vaccination clinic at our hospital site offering flu, whooping cough and COVID-19 booster vaccinations. To book an appointment, please contact your midwife or call 02072883482.
Last updated22 Mar 2024