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Are you pregnant and unsure about whether or not to take the COVID-19 vaccine? A team of experts created a decision aid to help individuals who are pregnant, lactating, or planning on becoming pregnant decide whether or not to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (in conjunction with their healthcare providers). View the decision-making tool (available in ten languages) here: COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy Decision Aids
Pregnant or Breastfeeding? What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
VIRTUAL Perinatal Adjustment Group
Wednesdays from 2:00-3:00pm on Zoom
The Perinatal Adjustment Group provides basic interpersonal and cognitive skills to women that can help ease the transition to new motherhood roles during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Coping with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly changing situation that is creating stress and fear for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their families. Being fearful or anxious in such a stressful time can at times feel overwhelming and hard to manage. Below are some suggestions about how you might take care of yourself so that you can take care of your family:
At times, seemingly "little things" can help us through very stressful moments, get us grounded again, and help us to cope. Breathing is essential and also a good way to help calm your mind. Try the 4 Square Breathing technique when you are super stressed:
Four Square Breathing: A Basic Exercise in Mindfulness
Four Square Breathing is a calming exercise that can be done anywhere. It can be built upon if and when you’d like. Children can also do this. Take a deep breath slowly to the count of 4, then hold that breath to the count of 4, then exhale that breath to the count of 4, and again pause to the count of 4. Repeat for as long as you can or want. Adding to 4 Square Breathing – you can practice square breathing while imagining a comforting place or listening to calming music. Try to focus relaxing attention on your neck and shoulders, back, arms, then legs.
Connecting with Others While Keeping a Safe Physical Distance
Experts are recommending that we keep space between people – at least 6 feet. This is called social distancing and is an important way to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. However, keeping physical space between people does not have to mean being lonely. In fact, staying connected to friends and family will reduce your stress. Call a loved one or check in with your neighbor while maintaining at least 6-feet of space between you and them. It can be calming to simply think about the people you care about and draw on the strength of those connections. So stay back, but keep your heart close.
These are unprecedented times. But these times also create tremendous opportunities for us to practice our values- to care for others, connect with those we love, to find community and purpose wherever we can. This reminds us all of how connected we are to one another—and ultimately, we get through this together.
Although there is a lot to learn about this new virus, the majority of available information at this time suggests that healthy pregnant woman who get coronavirus will have a mild to moderate illness and will not need to be hospitalized. For most women and infants, breastfeeding is safe. Ask your care team and check in with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (cdc.gov/coronavirus) for the most up-to-date information.
COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy protects newborns
While babies can’t receive the COVID vaccine themselves, they may still benefit from vaccine antibodies that pass through the placenta or breastmilk.
Resources
Resources for perinatal women to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Michigan Medicine - COVID19 Vaccine FAQ
- Michigan Medicine - COVID Vaccine During Pregnancy Protects Newborns
- Michigan Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology - Prenatal Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prenatal Patient Resources
- WHO - Q&A on COVID-19, pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding
- CDC - COVID-19 and Pregnancy
- March of Dimes - COVID-19: What You Need to Know About its Impact on Moms and Babies
- MC3 - Support for Providers and Families during a Pandemic
- Zero to Thrive - Tips to Support Sleep During a Pandemic
- Amwell - Diagnosing and Treating Postpartum Depression Online
Additional COVID-19 information and resources: