Mary Washington Healthcare cares about the health and safety of our pregnant
moms and their babies. The following information should help answer some
of your questions regarding COVID-19, vaccine safety, visitation in the
hospital, and more.
Note: COVID-19 tests are only administered to labor and delivery patients
who present with symptoms.
If you have additional questions about COVID-19 and pregnancy, we encourage
you to reach out to your OB, or call MWHC Health Link at
540.741.1000.
The changes to your body while pregnant make you more susceptible to respiratory
viruses, like COVID-19. Therefore, COVID-19 is more dangerous for pregnant
women, compared to non-pregnant women who are the same age.
Being pregnant increases your risk of being hospitalized, needing a ventilator,
or dying from the illness.
COVID-19 can lead to serious complications with your pregnancy, such as
preeclampsia.
Health conditions such as obesity and gestational diabetes further increase
your risk of severe illness.
There is an increased risk of preterm birth (less than 37 weeks of pregnancy)
and the baby needing additional care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
It is unlikely for a woman to transmit the virus to their baby while pregnant.
However, it may be possible to transmit after the baby is born via respiratory
particles; wearing a mask lowers this risk.
There are rare reports where the virus has been detected in samples of
the breastmilk, blood, placenta, and amniotic fluid of infected pregnant women.
The baby is unlikely to be exposed to the virus during pregnancy.
The virus is unlikely to cause problems with the baby’s development
and no long-term problems have been found so far.
Nevertheless, if you are pregnant, public health officials recommend you
take certain safety precautions.
Wash your hands frequently.
Stay away from public places.
Reduce social contact with others through social distancing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend you continue to breastfeed
your baby.
Current evidence suggests that the virus is not likely to be transmitted
to your baby through breastmilk.
The virus can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, and even breathing
- small droplets can spread the virus from person to person.
You should always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before
breastfeeding or expressing milk.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting test results,
follow these steps:
Wash your hands with soap and water before you touch your baby.
Wear a mask during feedings or whenever you are within 6 feet of your baby.
Your doctor may recommend using a breast pump and avoid feeding at the
breast directly until your symptoms resolve.
Wear a mask and wash your hands before touching breast pumps or any parts.
Vaccine safety when pregnant, breastfeeding or contemplating pregnancy
COVID-19 Vaccine For Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women And Individuals Contemplating Pregnancy
We understand being pregnant during a pandemic is very stressful and we
are here to answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. The U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized vaccines to fight COVID-19,
which are safe, effective, and proven to prevent severe illness from the virus.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends
that all eligible persons,
including pregnant and lactating individuals and those wanting to get pregnant, receive a COVID-19 vaccine and booster. Data suggest that the benefits
of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks
of vaccination.
To schedule a free COVID-19 vaccine, visit
vaccines.gov.
Vaccine Safety While Pregnant
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes
pregnant and recently pregnant women as a high-risk group for severe COVID-19 illness. The CDC, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG),
and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) recommend that all
pregnant women be vaccinated and receive a booster, as it is the safest
choice for you and your unborn child.
Data confirms that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy. The
benefits of receiving a vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks
of vaccination.
The vaccines do not contain the live virus and cannot cause infection-it
does not give you COVID-19.
It is proven that vaccines lower the risk of infection from COVID-19.
The antibodies your body produces from the vaccine may be passed to your
unborn child and help protect them from the virus.
It is recommended that all women who are breastfeeding be vaccinated and
continue to do so after receiving the vaccine.
The vaccines do not contain the live virus and cannot cause infection in
you or your baby. The vaccine does not give you COVID-19.
Reports show lactating women who receive the COVID-19 vaccine have antibodies
in their breastmilk. The antibodies passed through your breastmilk may
help protect your baby from the virus.
Breastmilk provides the best source of nutrition for your baby and their
immune system. For breastfeeding questions, contact Mary Washington Hospital
Lactation Services Department at
540.741.4465 or Stafford Hospital Lactation Services Department at
540.741.9236.
Vaccine Safety for Individuals Trying To Get Pregnant
It is recommended that all eligible men and women get a COVID-19 vaccine
and booster.
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility in women or men.
Studies show there is no difference in pregnancy success rates among vaccinated
and unvaccinated individuals.
How do the vaccines work?
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines. The
vaccine teaches your body to make a “spike protein”, a harmless
piece of what is on the surface of the COVID-19 virus.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is an adenovirus vaccine. It uses a harmless
cold virus to deliver the DNA for the “spike protein” that
is on the surface of the COVID-19 virus.*
The “spike protein” then triggers an immune response that then
produces antibodies. The antibodies protect your body, should you ever
get infected with the real virus.
These vaccines do not contain the live virus nor include ingredients that
are known to be harmful to pregnant women or to the unborn child. The
vaccine does not give you COVID-19.
Your body’s immune response to the vaccine is what causes the side
effect symptoms (like aches and fever). If you experience a fever, Tylenol
(acetaminophen) may be taken during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
The vaccines do not alter the DNA of the mother or baby.
The vaccines do not cause infertility in women and men.
* The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been linked to a
rare risk of blood clots for women younger than 50 years old. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are
options in which this risk has not been seen.
Following your COVID-19 vaccine, it is common to experience short-term
side effects. This is a result of your body’s immune response to
the vaccine. It is
not recommended to take pain relievers
before the vaccine to try to prevent side effects.
Possible side effects may include pain at the injection site, fatigue,
chills, headache, and fever.
If you experience side effects after receiving your vaccine, it is safe
to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) while pregnant or breastfeeding. Should
you have any concerns about your side effects, please consult your physician.
Understand as much as you can about COVID-19 and the available vaccines
through trusted resources.
Talk with your healthcare provider to evaluate your personal concerns and
medical history.
For questions, contact our MWHC Health Link nurse line from 7:00 a.m.-midnight.
You can reach them at
540.741.1000.
COVID-19 positive OB patients
What if I test positive for COVID-19 upon admission or prior to my c-section?
We are taking extra steps to make our facilities as safe as possible so
we can continue to provide quality care to our patients. If you test positive
for COVID-19, special protocols are put in place to keep you, our associates
and other patients safe. Except in rare occurrences where mom or baby
have severe symptoms and need special care, such as the ICU or NICU, you will
not be separated from your baby, even if you test positive for COVID-19.
Reducing the likelihood of exposure prior to delivery is the best way for
you to have the delivery experience you’ve anticipated. These include
wearing a mask outside of the home, quality handwashing, social distancing,
and avoiding crowds especially non-essential outings or gatherings.
For questions, contact your OB or call MWHC Health Link at
540.741.1000.
Visitation for Labor & Delivery
Obstetrics Patients Visitation Details and Exceptions
Obstetrics (laboring and postpartum) patients can have two designated caregivers
who remain with them in their treatment room for the entirety of their
stay. In addition, a certified doula may be in the room through labor
and delivery.
Patients with designated caregivers may also have four (4) visitors at
a time, with no age restriction, but only four (4) visitors/caregivers
may be in the facility at a time.
The designated caregivers may be instructed to leave the room during a
procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the
safety checkpoint entrance.
COVID-19 Obstetrics Patient Visitation Details and Exceptions
Obstetrics (laboring and postpartum) patients being tested or suspected
for COVID-19 or have a positive COVID-19 test result may have
two designated caregivers who remain with them in their treatment room.
Patients with designated caregivers may also have two (2) visitors over
the age of 18 at a time but only two (2) visitors/caregivers may be in
the facility at a time.
The designated caregivers can remain with the patient in their treatment
room for the entirety of their stay.
The designated caregivers may be instructed to leave the room during a
procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated caregivers and visitors must comply with the COVID-19 safety
guidelines for visitation:
Check in at the security desk upon arrival.
Use hand sanitizer before entering the patient’s room and wash your
hands or use hand sanitizer upon leaving the room.
Do not eat or drink while in patient rooms or in waiting areas.
Follow all other isolation precautions as indicated by MWHC staff.
Wear a MWHC-provided mask while in the patient’s room.
The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the
safety checkpoint entrance.
Visitation for NICU
NICU Visitation Details and Exceptions
Level II NICU patients at Stafford Hospital and Level III NICU patients
at Mary Washington Hospital can have up to two (2) parents or legal guardians
in their treatment room as space allows at the discretion of the clinical
team. General visitors are not allowed in the NICU.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend you continue to breastfeed
your baby.
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