There’s a lot of information available about coronavirus (COVID-19), not all of it accurate, and not all of it looking at what should happen during pregnancy and in the early days after birth. We have put together some of the key, trustworthy information resources to help you.
General information
For information about what you should do if you or a member of your household has symptoms, and the guidance from the Government about staying at home, visit the NHS website.
Everyone should follow the advice given by the NHS on how to stop the virus spreading, including social distancing.
Information during pregnancy
Pregnant women are deemed to be at higher risk of coronavirus (COVID-19), and they should follow the specific advice given by the NHS on how to protect themselves from the virus.
Experts* have produced guidance for health professionals on coronavirus and pregnancy, based on a combination of the available evidence, good practice and expert advice. The guidance is being updated regularly, as new evidence comes to light. Click here for the latest guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and pregnancy
Information for expectant and new parents is available based on this guidance. Click here for the latest information for pregnant women and their families
*The Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists with expert input and review from The Royal College of Midwives; the Royal College of Anaesthetists; the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health; the Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association; Public Health England; Public Health Scotland; NHS England; Scottish Government; NHS Improvement Infection, Prevention and Control Team; Dr Benjamin Black, Professor Asma Khalil, Dr Maggie Blott, Dr Giles Berrisford (on behalf of RCPsych), Dr Christine Ekechi, Dr Jahnavi Daru, Dr Peter MacCallum, Dr Shohreh Beski, Dr Louise Bowles, Dr Lucy Mackillop, Professor Beverley Hunt and Professor Cathy Nelson-Piercy.
Group B Strep and coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus and so far we have seen no evidence that suggests women carrying group B Strep are at increased risk of developing COVID-19. Similarly, we have seen no evidence that suggests babies born to women who carry group B Strep or who have recovered from a group B Strep infection are at increased risk of developing COVID-19.
For more information about coronavirus and pregnancy, please visit the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website which is being updated regularly with the latest evidence and expert opinion.
Testing for group B Strep carriage and coronavirus (COVID-19)
We are increasingly being asked whether coronavirus is affecting the availability of private home-testing for group B Strep carriage during pregnancy.
We asked The Doctors Laboratory, the leading provider of private group B Strep tests, who advised us that the current coronavirus outbreak should have no impact on their sending out test packs, processing the samples and sending out the results by text and hard-copy. If you have any questions about their service or to order a home-testing pack, please contact them on 020 7307 7373 or by email at gbs@tdlpathology.com.
We are here for you
If you need information about group B Strep, please get in touch:
- By phone (staffed weekdays 9am to 5pm) – 0330 120 0796
- By email (emails are answered during office hours) – info@gbss.org.uk
- Or join us on social media – on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn
Can you help us?
We have restructured so we can deliver our services from home. Demand remains high – coronavirus seems to be bringing home to many people just how serious infections can be, and how testing and prevention are key.
If you are able to help towards our keeping our services open during this time, please consider making a donation to GBSS.
