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A family being talked to by a doctor

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?

  • The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) strongly recommends masking in indoor public spaces and staying up-to-date with COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as eligible. Read their recent statement reaffirming the importance of layering protections as Ontario currently faces the triple threat of COVID-19, influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (November 15, 2022).
  • Check out this interview with Dr. Deborah Money, a professor in UBC’s department of obstetrics and gynaecology:  "Bivalent vaccines are here – what it means for people who are pregnant" (November 7, 2022)

  • Updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding has been published by National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) (September 9, 2022).

Should Pregnant People Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Real world evidence continues to show that vaccines are safe during pregnancy. There have been a number of large studies that looked at the safety and effectiveness of vaccines given to pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in Ontario.  In one study, there was no increased risk of complications during late pregnancy or the early newborn period for those who got the COVID-19 vaccine compared with those who were not vaccinated. In another study, there was no link found between COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and higher risk of preterm birth or stillbirth.  

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. 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. And below, care providers in Ontario are sharing a message with pregnant individuals in English, French and other languages: 

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English

Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass - Obstetrician and gynaecologist, and co-founder of WHEMS

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English

Dr. Tali Bogler - Family medicine obstetrics provider and co-founder of @PandemicPregnancyGuide

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English

Remi Ejiwunmi - Midwife

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English

Joanne Goddard - Public health nurse and lactation consultant

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English

Shezeen Suleman - Midwife

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Francais

Isabelle Drolet - Sage-femme

 

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Francais

Joanne Goddard - Infirmière en santé publique et consultante en allaitement

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Francais

Kim Cloutier - Sage-femme

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Arabic

Dr. Darine El-Chaar - Obstetrician and gynaecologist

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Cantonese

Dr. Innie Chen - Obstetrician and gynaecologist

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Farsi

Dr. Nika Alavi-Tabari - Obstetrician and gynaecologist

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Mandarin

Dr. Innie Chen - Obstetrician and gynaecologist

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Punjabi

Dr. Simrit Brar - Obstetrician and gynaecologist

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Spanish

Dr. Pamela Berger - Obstetrician and gynaecologist

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Tamil

Vishali Arumugam - Midwife

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Vietnamese

Dr. Tien Le - Obstetrician and gynaecologist

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Yoruba

Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass - Obstetrician and gynaecologist, and co-founder of WHEMS

COVID-19 Resources for Pregnant People in Ontario

Trusted sources of information and support 

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Pandemic Pregnancy Guide

Pandemic Pregnancy Guide

An exceptional guide created by University of Toronto faculty members and trainees, as a means to support and answer the questions of pregnant individuals about COVID-19 through Instagram 

Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health - I am pregnant or breastfeeding. Should I get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Having the COVID-19 vaccine is your choice. This Ontario resource summarizes basic information to support the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and while chestfeeding (revised January 25, 2022).

PregnancyInfo - COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy

PregnancyInfo.ca is an initiative of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), Canada’s leading authority on sexual and reproductive health. Get the up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.  "COVID-19 Vaccines Myths and Facts" leaflet was published in September 2021, to dispel common myths around the vaccine impact on pregnancy and fertility. 

 

COVID-19 Risks for Pregnancy and Vaccine Safety

BORN Ontario

Ontario birth data was recently used to explore outcomes for pregnant individuals (and newborns) following COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.  The study included found no increased risk for poor outcomes (for pregnant individuals or their babies) for those who received COVID-19 vaccination compared with those who were not vaccinated during pregnancy. 

Another recently published study included over 85,162 pregnant individuals in Ontario and found there was no evidence of increased risk of preterm birth (before 37 weeks), very preterm birth (before 32 weeks), small-for-gestational-age at birth (less than the 10th percentile), or stillbirth following COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. 

Report #2 (includes individuals who were pregnant at any point between December 14, 2020 to June 30, 2021): Data from this time period do not suggest an increased risk for concerns during pregnancy, or complications for the baby at birth.  

Report #3 (includes individuals who were pregnant at any point between December 14, 2020 and September 30, 2021): The latest report from Ontario highlights that vaccine coverage differs by age and income of the pregnant person. Individuals that are in younger age groups or in lower income brackets were shown to have lower vaccination rates. 

Hospital for Sick Children

SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service offers support to people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to conceive in partnership with Scarborough Health Network's (SHN) Vax Facts. Visit the Sick Kids website for more information and to schedule a phone appointment with a registered nurse. 

University of Toronto and Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP)

Department of Family and Community Medicine (University of Toronto) and OCFP 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). For other information, visit ConfusedAboutCovid.ca. 

British Society for Immunology

British Society for Immunology, in partnership with reproductive immunologist, Dr. Viki Male,  published an infographic and a detailed explainer to show latest evidence on the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. The materials are kept up-to-date and include data from pregnancies in Ontario.

Canadian Institute for Health Research - "Ask a Scientist: Will the COVID-19 vaccine affect my fertility?" 

In this video from CIHR IRSC, Dr. Deborah Money, Professor at the University of British Columbia, discusses some of the recent studies (March 16, 2022).

Government of Ontario - COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnancy 

Information for individuals who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breast/chestfeeding (updated May 5, 2022)

The University of British Columbia - Canadian COVID-19 Vaccine Registry for Pregnant and Lactating Individuals

Researchers in British Columbia have recently launched a COVID-19 vaccine registry called COVERED. Through a registry and survey, the goal is to understand the attitudes, effectiveness and safety of vaccines for those who are pregnant and lactating. Individuals from anywhere in Canada who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding are invited to register to take part in this vaccine study.

Participants do not have to have already received a COVID-19 vaccine, nor do they need to intend to receive the vaccine. 

What to Expect if You are Pregnant during the Pandemic

Government of Canada - COVID-19: Pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a newborn

Information on what to expect at the time of pregnancy and after childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

OMama

OMama is a website and app that connects you to trusted, evidence-informed pregnancy, birth, and early parenting information (focusing on resources in Ontario, Canada).

 

General Information on COVID-19

Public Health Ontario

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Multilingual COVID-19 Resources (over 20 languages)

Centre for Effective Practice

Well curated list of COVID-19 patient-facing resources, many available in multiple languages.

Ministry of Health 

COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario

COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet

CANVAS-COVID

The Canadian National Vaccine Safety (CANVAS) network is conducting a nation-wide study to examine the health events that occur after a COVID-19 vaccine (results as of May 2022).

Vaccine Answers from Doctors Manitoba

Manitoba's Doctors answer common questions about COVID-19 vaccines, addressing safety, effectiveness, and misinformation.

University of Toronto

Free online course offered by University of Toronto, meant to give you an understanding of the anxiety related to various aspects of current life during the pandemic, and provide coping strategies. 

#ScienceUpFirst

Engaging, sharable, and expert-vetted content related to COVID-19. Fight misinformation one post at a time!

Black Scientists' Task Force on Vaccine Equity

Project created to share information about COVID-19 to the Black Canadian community and address their concerns.

Alliance for Healthier Communities

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - a network of community-governed primary health care organizations sharing COVID-19 resources. Their vision is equitable health and wellbeing for everyone living in Ontario.

COVID-19 Indigenous Resources

 

Government of Canada

COVID-19 Vaccines and Indigenous Peoples

Awareness Resources and Videos (resources created for Indigenous communities in Indigenous languages about how to prevent the spread of coronavirus and protect yourself and your community from the coronavirus outbreak).

University Health Network - First Nations, Inuit, Metis Perspectives and Knowledge Sharing on COVID-19 Vaccines

A community-led initiative designed to provide culturally relevant information and resources about medical concepts related to COVID-19 vaccinations

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)


 

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