
We’re here to help you navigate pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 855-895-5825.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coronavirus Vaccines and Pregnancy
Should pregnant women or kids get the vaccine?
There’s not yet enough data for a coronavirus vaccine to be approved for pregnant women or kids 15 and under. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is approved for use in individuals 16 years and older.
Scientists are continuing to test vaccine safety for these groups and others. As is the case for other vaccines, FDA approval for these groups usually takes longer because research takes more time to complete.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for pregnant women?
Clinical trials haven’t yet included pregnant or lactating individuals, so vaccine safety is unknown for these groups. The FDA, CDC and manufacturer are continuing to monitor safety in a few study participants who became pregnant shortly after receiving the vaccine.
What we do know is that COVID-19 can put both you and your baby at serious risk during pregnancy. Even if you don’t get seriously ill, the long-term effects of the virus on a fetus are still unknown. If all of the following apply to you, ask your doctor whether getting vaccinated is the right choice for you:
- You’re pregnant or lactating
- You live in an area where COVID-19 transmission is high
- Your work puts you at increased risk of infection
Is my baby safe if I receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
We do not know for sure whether a vaccine will cause harm to a fetus, but it appears unlikely.
The vaccine will very likely prevent you from getting sick from COVID-19, which could put both you and your fetus at serious risk. Even if you don’t have a severe form of the virus, we do not yet know the effects of the virus on pregnancies and fetuses as the pregnancy progresses after a COVID-19 infection.
Because vaccines don’t contain any live virus, we do not believe they will cause harm to infants who are receiving breast milk.
If all of the following apply to you, ask your doctor whether getting vaccinated is the right choice for you:
- You’re pregnant or lactating
- You live in an area where COVID-19 transmission is high
- Your work puts you at increased risk of infection
Prenatal Appointments, Labor and Delivery During COVID-19
Can I have my support person with me during labor?
Yes, one support person is allowed to stay with you during labor and delivery and afterward in the postpartum unit. For antepartum visitation, you may designate only one support person to visit from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Nobody but this designated support person may visit.
Is it still safe to come to the hospital or clinic?
All hospitals and clinics are open and ready to serve patients. We are encouraging video visits through MyChart when possible, and using strict safety measures during in-person appointments.
Prenatal appointments are very important to the health of both you and your baby. You should plan to attend all appointments unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
What are you doing to keep patients and families safe?
We’re using a number of strict safety measures to help keep everyone in our facilities safe. We’ve integrated the following guidelines from the CDC and San Bernardino County Department of Public Health:
- Temperature checks and screening questionnaires are being administered at the entry points into all of our facilities.
- Patients, caregivers and visitors are screened daily for symptoms.
- Visitor restrictions limit the number of people in our facilities and lower the chances of virus transmission.
- Separate units for COVID-19 patients and strict care plans help avoid spreading the virus.
- Masks are required for everyone within our facilities.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) is fully stocked and utilized by our staff according to national guidelines.
- Patients receive COVID-19 testing upon admission and prior to surgery.
- Appropriate cleaning procedures are used in every facility.
- Only essential staff are working at our facilities.