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Respiratory Virus Information for Patients

Frequently asked questions for BC Women’s patients about respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.

Appointments


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If you are waiting for a surgery, you will be contacted to reschedule your surgery or procedure.


 

Please call the clinic you have the appointment with and share information about your symptoms (including any new fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, painful swallowing, stuffy or runny nose, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue or loss of appetite). A physician or nurse will assess the urgency of the appointment and provide guidance. If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, remind each health care provider that is taking care of you.

 

Yes, it is still safe to seek care. 

Prenatal concerns

How does COVID-19 affect pregnant women?

 

Though most disease in pregnant women is mild, Canadian data has shown pregnant women with COVID-19 are at an increased risk of being hospitalized and being admitted to intensive care units. COVID-19 is also associated with an increase in preterm births (before the 37th week of pregnancy) in Canada. Some babies born to women with COVID-19 are admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. Transmission of the virus from mother to infant is believed to be rare.


For more information on COVID-19 and pregnancy, please visit the BCCDC website.

 

If you have flu symptoms you should be evaluated by your health-care provider. Influenza during pregnancy can cause complications and the virus that causes influenza is still circulating in B.C. 


This information should be passed on to the hospital or facility where you expect to deliver. Please call your health-care provider to obtain guidance.

 

I am pregnant and not sure if I have COVID-19 . When should I seek urgent care?

 

‎Seek urgent care if you experience one of the following changes in your health:   

  • If it becomes harder to breathe
  • If you can’t drink anything 
  • If you feel very unwell
  • If you show signs of going into labour

Labour & birth

 
Yes, there are currently no restrictions in place for visitors to B.C. hospitals. 

If I have suspected or confirmed COVID-19, how will that affect giving birth at BC Women’s?

 

Care will be based on your symptoms at the time. You can expect continuous electronic fetal monitoring during labour to assess your baby’s wellbeing. After birth, we will keep you and baby together if at all possible. We consider skin to skin contact, delayed cord clamping and breast feeding safe at this time. If you need to go to the operating room, we may take more steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will encourage you to practice good hand hygiene when caring for your baby. We will also advise you to wear a mask if you breastfeed. Your baby will be tested for COVID-19. Ask your primary care provider for more information.

 

 

Yes, siblings of a patient may accompany parents or legal guardians. 

 

Newborn care

 

Click to enlarge - Breastfeeding + COVID-19Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact is recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Human milk has antibodies and immune factors that protect the health of your baby.  Wash your hands before and after providing care,  holding or feeding your baby, and wear a mask if you are sick. 


If temporary separation from your baby is required,  you are encouraged to express your milk. You may reuse your breast pump kit as long as you wash your breast pump, parts, and feeding equipment carefully each time. 


For more info on expressing milk and cleaning your breast pump visit: Expressing breast milk


BCCDC COVID-19 Guidelines for breastfeeding

COVID-19 vaccine

 

The Canadian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SOGC), the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and public health experts in B.C. all advise that pregnant and breastfeeding women should be offered the vaccine when eligible..


If you have questions and you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, speak to your health-care provider about COVID-19 vaccines.

Register for vaccination here.

More on vaccine safety.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, see Vaccine Considerations from the BCCDC and COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.


 

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) has developed a dedicated web page about COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and understanding the risks of COVID-19 while pregnant:
SOURCE: Respiratory Virus Information for Patients ( )
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