Pregnancy during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pregnancy during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or overjoyed about your pregnancy (or even a bit of both), we’re here to support you every step of the way. From the latest guidance about how the coronavirus pandemic might affect your pregnancy to uncovering the fascinating science behind how your baby’s developing, we're here with information to help you enjoy a healthy pregnancy while setting your baby up for the best possible start.
Read our coronavirus and pregnancy FAQs and get the latest guidance about labour and birth during coronavirus.
Supporting you throughout your pregnancy during the coronavirus outbreak
The latest coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for pregnancy
Dr Sarah Jarvis talks through the latest medical guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) in pregnancy. She demystifies the risks the virus presents to women during pregnancy, and shares the evidence-based facts about the effects coronavirus is having on pregnancies.
She also explains the importance of regular antenatal check-ups, and how routine appointments like scans and midwife appointments may be affected, discusses the practicalities of everyday life when you’re pregnant during the pandemic and what you should do if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
If you’d like more information about any of the topics Dr Sarah Jarvis covers, please visit the Royal College of Midwives website or The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists website where you’ll find lots more advice and guidance.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, MBE
Dr Sarah Jarvis, is a qualified GP and an active medical writer and broadcaster, with a lifelong interest in women’s health.
As well as being the resident medical expert on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show, during the coronavirus pandemic, Dr Sarah Jarvis has been appearing regularly on BBC 1’s The One Show, ITV’s Coronavirus: Q&A and Channel 5 news giving expert advice about all aspects of the pandemic.
Coronavirus FAQs: Pregnancy, Baby and Breastfeeding
For all the latest information and FAQs
Laying the foundations for their future, stage by stage
Congratulations! You're pregnant
During this exciting and nerve-wracking period of your pregnancy, you can expect your baby to grow from 8mm in length to 6cm. And while their physical features and internal organs develop, the increase in pregnancy hormones may cause you to experience morning sickness. If you don't feel like eating too much, try to prioritise folate-rich foods like green, leafy vegetables and avocados, which are known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in early pregnancy.
Your pregnancy week by week
Fuelling their growth and development
Now it's safe to share your exciting news, you can enjoy your pregnancy. As morning sickness subsides you'll start to 'glow' – and grow, as your body prepares for birth. Over the next 13 weeks your baby will learn to kick, swallow and pull faces, while they grow from 8cm in length to 34cm. Now is a good time to include iron and Omega 3-rich foods in your diet to enhance your baby’s brain and visual development.
Your pregnancy week by week
Approaching the final countdown
As you both prepare for birth, your baby will spend the final 14 weeks of pregnancy gaining weight, strength and immunity. They'll also spend 80% of their time sleeping – unlike you, and will grow from 36cm in length to 51cm, gaining around 6lbs in weight. Nutrition remains important for you both. But while your baby is busy gaining fat, it's important to remember that you only need an extra 200 calories a day to support this.
Your pregnancy week by week
Pregnancy topics
Top reads on pregnancy
The first 1000 days of life are the most influential. Amazingly, you have the ability to shape their future health through the way you live and how you nourish and love your baby during pregnancy.
Questions about feeding and nutrition?
Our midwives, nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. So if you have a question, just get in touch.