Key points about COVID-19 and pregnancy
- recent evidence shows that pregnancy may increase the risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19, which can lead to complications with pregnancy
- the evidence also shows that COVID-19 immunisation during pregnancy is very effective at preventing severe symptoms
- it is rare for pregnant women to end up in hospital with severe COVID-19 symptoms if they've had COVID-19 vaccine doses and booster/s
- immunisation safely and effectively reduces the risk of serious illness or harm to pregnant women from COVID-19 infection
Book your COVID-19 immunisation now
If you are pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, it is important to make sure you are up to date with your course of COVID-19 vaccines.
Recent evidence shows that pregnancy may increase the risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19, which can lead to complications with pregnancy. Studies have shown that having the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy is safe and significantly reduces the risk of serious illness or harm to pregnant women.
If you're pregnant, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy. You can book your immunisation now. If you've had a positive COVID-19 test or recent COVID-19 immunisation, you need to wait at least 6 months before having a booster.
To book a COVID-19 vaccine you can:
- - book your vaccine online at Book My Vaccine
- - talk to your midwife or health professional
Data from the large number of pregnant people worldwide who have already had their COVID-19 immunisation shows that there are no extra safety concerns with giving COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy.
Immunising during pregnancy may also help protect your baby. There is evidence that infants can get antibodies to the virus through cord blood and breastmilk.
If you have any questions or concerns, talk about them with your healthcare professional.
Remember to have other important vaccines during pregnancy
As well as having the COVID-19 vaccine, remember to also have the flu vaccine and whooping cough vaccine.
You can have the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.
The whooping cough vaccine is most effective when given from 16 to 26 weeks of pregnancy, but it's available and free from 13 weeks of every pregnancy.
You can have the vaccines at the same time or separately.
See the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora website for more information on immunisation and pregnancy.
How to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 when pregnant
As well as immunisation against COVID-19, there are other ways to protect yourself.
How To Protect Yourself & Others Against COVID-19
If I'm pregnant and have COVID-19, can I pass it on to my baby during pregnancy or birth?
The evidence shows that it is rare for pregnant women to pass on COVID-19 to their baby during pregnancy or birth (called 'vertical transmission').
How having COVID-19 while pregnant might affect your baby
For pregnant women with COVID-19, the evidence so far indicates:
- there is no increased risk of miscarriage
For some variants of COVID-19, complications for newborn pēpi (babies) may include:
- a slightly increased risk of being born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
- an increased risk of stillbirth
COVID-19 immunisation during pregnancy reduces these risks by reducing the chance of infection in the baby's mother and reducing the severity of infection if the mother does get COVID-19.
You can check out more information about COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy at the NZ College of Midwives website.
A video on what to look out for and how to get medical care and support while caring for a newborn when you have COVID-19.
Source: Health Navigator Charitable Trust
What to do if you develop symptoms of COVID-19
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, take a RAT test or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 and follow their advice. Contact your midwife (or GP or obstetrician) if you are unwell.
Healthline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 611 116. Call Healthline if you need advice about a child of any age who is unwell, hurt, or has any symptoms of sickness. It's free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone.
What to do if you're pregnant and have COVID-19
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you will receive the support you need. Your health and wellbeing are very important, and clinical support will remain available to you.
Tell your midwife or midwifery practice.
What if I am pregnant and a household contact of someone with COVID?
If you are due to see your midwife, tell your midwife or midwifery practice before the appointment, especially if it is a home visit.
If you or someone in your household have tested positive for COVID-19, see the information on the Health New Zealand website.
COVID-19 Positive & Caring For A Newborn
Should my baby have their first immunisation at 6 weeks?
Yes. Immunising your baby on time is important to protect them from infections such as whooping cough and measles.
Immunising Children During COVID-19
More information and support
For up-to-date advice on what to do if you or someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, visit the Health New Zealand website.
You can find out about Paid Parental Leave from the Employment New Zealand website.
The content on this page is supported by Te Kāreti o ngā Kaiwhakawhānau ki Aotearoa | The New Zealand College of Midwives.
