Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

COVID-19 and Pregnancy: Information at your Fingertips

If you are currently pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the COVID-19 pandemic may be adding a layer of concern. You may have questions or understandable worries about the implications of a possible COVID-19 infection for you and your baby, the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and the type of care that you will receive over the course of the pregnancy.

Making sense of information from various sources can be difficult. We have curated up-to-date Canadian-based resources to support you through your pregnancy journey, and help you make decisions that will keep you and your baby healthy. We are updating the site as new and relevant information becomes available, so be sure to check back frequently.

What is New?

Department of Family and Community Medicine (University of Toronto) and Ontario College of Family Physicians published a resource to help the pregnant individuals make sense of COVID-19 and Omicron guidance: "I'm pregnant. How can I keep safe? What should I do if I get COVID?" (last updated on January 31, 2022)
The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) updated a resource which summarizes basic information to support the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and while chestfeeding (revised January 25, 2022 to reflect the current situation with the Omicron variant).
Symptomatic pregnant people in Ontario are now eligible and prioritized for PCR or rapid molecular testing for COVID-19.
Pregnant people are now eligible to receive booster (third dose) vaccine three months after their last dose. Vaccine clinics have been asked by the Chief Medical of Health to prioritize appointments for pregnant individuals.
Misinformation about stillbirths has been debunked! Based on available Ontario birth data, there is no indication that getting the COVID-19 vaccine increases the rates of stillbirths. The rates of stillbirths between January and October 2021 are similar in unvaccinated individuals compared to those who received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (before or during pregnancy).
British Society for Immunology, in partnership with reproductive immunologist, Dr. Viki Male, published an infographic to explain the latest evidence on the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. The infographic includes data from pregnancies in Ontario (last update was January 2022).

Should Pregnant People Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Real world evidence continues to show that vaccines are safe during pregnancy. To-date, there have been no pregnancy-related safety concerns identified. There are two large Canadian studies that are now further looking at the safety and effectiveness of vaccines given to pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in the country. The latest preliminary data from Ontario, published in August 2021, do not suggest an increased risk for concerns during pregnancy, or complications for the baby at birth.

All the major obstetrical organizations in Canada, the US, the UK and many other countries have recommended the vaccine for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals to protect them from COVID-19, which is now considered a vaccine-preventable disease. Specifically, The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (Canada's leading authority on sexual and reproductive health) "recommends that all individuals who are pregnant or those trying to become pregnant should receive all COVID-19 vaccination doses, including the booster dose, when eligible. Pregnant individuals who are unvaccinated are at risk for severe COVID-19 complications."

Nevertheless, deciding whether to have COVID-19 vaccination while you are pregnant can be challenging. The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) has published a resource to help you make an informed choice (last revised on October 25, 2021). Below, care providers in Ontario are sharing a message with pregnant individuals in English, French and other languages:

COVID-19 Resources for Pregnant People in Ontario

What to Expect if You Are Pregnant during the Pandemic

Prenatal Screening Ontario - COVID-19 and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Government of Canada - Summary of National Advisory Committee on Immunization statement of October 22, 2021
Women's Health Education Made Simple - Being Pregnant in a Pandemic
Health Nexus - Having a Baby During COVID-19:

General Information on COVID-19

COVID-19 Indigenous Resources

Government of Canada - COVID-19 Vaccines and Indigenous Peoples
Government of Canada - Awareness Resources and Videos
University Health Network - First Nations, Inuit, Metis Perspectives and Knowledge Sharing on COVID-19 Vaccines
Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority - COVID-19 Information:

SLFNHA Presents: How the COVID-19 Vaccines Work (video)
SLFNHA Presents: Information about the Moderna Vaccine (video)

Media Coverage of COVID-19 and Pregnancy

Prenatal Screening Ontario - COVID-19: Information for Pregnancy