INDIANAPOLIS — Among the many things pregnancy does to the body, the immune system weakening is one of them.
This does mean that pregnant women might be more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Pregnant women also might be at risk for severe illness, morbidity, or mortality compared to the general population as observed in cases of other related coronavirus infections [including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)] and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza, during pregnancy," the CDC's website said.
There is still so much that is unknown when it comes to the coronavirus, including information on adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, miscarriages and stillbirths have happened in cases of infection with other related coronaviruses, not yet COVID-19.
The CDC advises that pregnant women should engage in the usually preventative actions to avoid infection, like washing hands often and avoiding people who are sick.
For more information, such as breastfeeding procedures for mothers with confirmed cases of COVID-19, should visit this page on the CDC's website.
