Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

COVID-19 and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

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.

Should Pregnant People Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

All pregnant individuals in Ontario are now eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Ontario has a three-phased vaccination plan, and as of April 23, pregnancy has been further prioritized to the "highest risk" category in phase two of the vaccine roll out.

Pregnant individuals can book their shot through the provincial call centre at 1-888-999-6488. If you live in an area that is not using the provincial vaccine booking system, you will be directed to your local public health unit to book an appointment.

Real world evidence shows that vaccines are safe during pregnancy. 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 on August 20, 2021, do not suggest an increased risk for concerns during pregnancy, or complications for the baby at birth.

In the latest statement (updated May 25, 2021), the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (Canada’s leading authority on sexual and reproductive health) states that "pregnant individuals should be offered vaccination at any point in pregnancy and during breastfeeding, if no contraindications exist". "The decision to be vaccinated is based on the individual’s personal values, as well as an understanding that the risk of infection and/or morbidity from COVID-19 outweighs the theorized and undescribed risk of being vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Individuals should not be precluded from vaccination based on pregnancy status or breastfeeding.

Deciding whether to have COVID-19 vaccination while you are pregnant can be challenging. Care providers in Ontario are sharing a message with pregnant individuals in English, French and other languages:

COVID-19: Risks for Pregnancy and Vaccine Safety

• Science Table - The Incidence, Severity, and Management of COVID-19 in Critically Ill Pregnant Individuals
• PCMCH - I am pregnant or breastfeeding. Should I get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
• Pandemic Pregnancy Guide -  created by University of Toronto Faculty members and trainees
• Provincial Council for Maternal And Child Health - I am pregnant or breastfeeding. Should i get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
• The Current with Matt Galloway - Pregnant Woman caught COVID-19 wants others to understand the risk
• CTV News - Q and A on Vaccines in Pregnancy
• Pregnancyinfo - COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy
• Queen's University - Why You Should Get the COVID-19 Vaccine if You are Pregnant
• PCMCH -  Let's Talk about COVID-19 and Pregnancy Webinar
• The MotHERS Podcast - COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (featuring Dr. Mark Walker)
• Canadian Surveillance of COVID-19 in Pregnancy: Epidemiology, Maternal and Infant Outcomes - Reproductive Infectious Diseases Program
• Canadian Surveillance of COVID-19 in Pregnancy: Preliminary report
• Women's Health Education Made Simple (WHEMS) - Debunking Myths about the COVID-19 vaccine
• Women's Health Education Made Simple (WHEMS) - Safety of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy and breastfeeding
• The University of British Columbia - Canadian COVID-19 Vaccine Registry for Pregnant and Lactating Individuals
• Government of Canada - National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Summary of updated vaccine statement of May 3, 2021
• Mommy Monitor - COVID-19, Vaccination and Pregnancy
• Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis - Podcast: Pregnant women, new moms and vaccines

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 May 28, 2021
• Women's Health Education Made Simple - Being Pregnant in a Pandemic
• Health Nexus - Having a Baby During COVID-19:

1. Having a baby during COVID-19 - Packing List
2. Having a baby during COVID-19 - Planning for Birth
3. Having a baby during COVID-19 - Infant Feeding - with possible COVID
4. Having a baby during COVID-19 - NICU - General Info

General Information on COVID-19

• Women’s Health Education Made Simple (WHEMS) – COVID-19 Mythbusters
• Women's Health Education Made Simple (WHEMS) - Anxiety and Depression during COVID-19
• Public Health Ontario - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Public Health Ontario - Multilingual COVID-19 Resources (over 20 languages)
• Public Health Ontario - When to Self-isolate for Household Members
• Public Health Ontario - How To Care For A Child Who Needs To Self-Isolate
• Public Health Ontario - What You Need to Know About Viral Vector Vaccines
• Public Health Ontario - What You Need to Know About mRNA Vaccines
• Public Health Ontario - COVID-19 Vaccines: Viral Vector-based Vaccines
• Black Ottawa Connect - Let's Talk: COVID-19 and Our Community
• Ministry of Health - COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario
• Ministry of Health - COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet
• Ministry of Health - COVID-19 Vaccines for Ontario | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario
• Centre for Effective Practice - COVID-19 Vaccines Patient Resources
• Thrombosis Canada - Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine statement April 26 2021
• Thrombosis Canada - TC Updated Statement on Astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots
• University of Toronto - Free course on Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19
• Black Scientists' Task Force on Vaccine Equity
• #ScienceUpFirst - Together against misinformation

 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:

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

Media Coverage of COVID-19 and Pregnancy

• Prenatal Screening Ontario - COVID-19: Information for Pregnancy