If you get any symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste):
- Stay at home (self-isolate) – you and anyone you live with should not leave your home or have visitors. Anyone in your childcare or support bubble should also self-isolate if you've been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.
- Book a test – get a PCR test (test that is sent to a lab) to check if you have COVID-19 as soon as possible. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your childcare or support bubble, should also get a test if they have symptoms.
- Speak to your midwife or maternity team – they will advise you what to do. You may need to rebook some of your pregnancy appointments or have them online, by phone or as a video consultation (see link to the left of this page).
Please let staff know that you are self-isolating before you come to hospital or are seen by our team in the community. This is so that we can give you the best care to keep you, your baby and our teams safe.
Pregnant women who are exposed to COVID-19 are not thought to be at increased risk of miscarriage. If you are less than 14 weeks pregnant and have any pain or bleeding please contact EPAU for advice.
If you are due to see your midwife for a routine antenatal appointment please contact her in advance and let her know that you are self-isolating. Your midwife will talk to you and decide whether you need to be seen or if your appointment can be delayed. Your midwife will agree when and where you will have your next antenatal appointment.
If you are due to see your consultant obstetrician for a routine antenatal appointment you will be contacted by the consultant’s team. You may be able to have a telephone appointment with the consultant’s team if you don’t need to be examined. If you need a face to face appointment with the consultant before your self-isolation ends, special arrangements for you to attend your appointment will be made.
If you are under the care of a consultant and need to be seen for a specialist appointment e.g. with the diabetic team or fetal medicine, please contact our Antenatal Clinic Midwives directly for advice on: 0151 604 7024
If you have any concerns about your pregnancy such as pain or reduced movements please contact the Triage unit as usual on 0151 604 7111. The midwife will give you advice and agree when and where you should be seen.
Call the Maternity Triage unit immediately on 0151 604 7111 if:
- your baby is moving less than usual
- you cannot feel your baby moving
- there is a change to your baby's usual pattern of movements
- you have any bleeding from your vagina
- you're feeling very anxious or worried
- you have a headache that does not go away
- you get shortness of breath when resting or lying down
Do not wait until the next day – call immediately, even if it's the middle of the night.