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| Coronavirus: New advice issued for pregnant mothers | Coronavirus: New advice issued for pregnant mothers |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Pregnant women are being urged to stay away from others due to the coronavirus, according to new advice. | Pregnant women are being urged to stay away from others due to the coronavirus, according to new advice. |
| They are being advised to minimise social contact for up to 12 weeks from this weekend. | They are being advised to minimise social contact for up to 12 weeks from this weekend. |
| The UK government's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, said limited evidence suggested there were currently no known coronavirus-related complications in pregnancy. | The UK government's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, said limited evidence suggested there were currently no known coronavirus-related complications in pregnancy. |
| But he added the UK was still "very early in what we know about this". | But he added the UK was still "very early in what we know about this". |
| Pregnant women join other at-risk groups including the over-70s and younger people with underlying conditions - roughly equivalent to those offered the annual flu jab by their GP - in being asked to stay at home. | Pregnant women join other at-risk groups including the over-70s and younger people with underlying conditions - roughly equivalent to those offered the annual flu jab by their GP - in being asked to stay at home. |
| He said that, for many infectious diseases, "there is a small but appreciable additional risk" and as this was a new virus there was still not enough evidence for people in early stages of pregnancy. | He said that, for many infectious diseases, "there is a small but appreciable additional risk" and as this was a new virus there was still not enough evidence for people in early stages of pregnancy. |
| "Infections and pregnancy are not a good combination in general and that is why we have taken the very precautionary measure while we try and find out more," he explained. | "Infections and pregnancy are not a good combination in general and that is why we have taken the very precautionary measure while we try and find out more," he explained. |
| Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced sweeping new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus in the UK on Monday - but stopped short of forcing schools to close. | Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced sweeping new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus in the UK on Monday - but stopped short of forcing schools to close. |
| It has led some pregnant mothers to question how they can keep a distance from others. | It has led some pregnant mothers to question how they can keep a distance from others. |
| What is the advice for pregnant women? | What is the advice for pregnant women? |
| The government has issued five points that people in at-risk groups such as the over-70s, those with underlying conditions, and pregnant women should follow "as much as you can": | The government has issued five points that people in at-risk groups such as the over-70s, those with underlying conditions, and pregnant women should follow "as much as you can": |
| Dr Punam Krishan, a GP from Glasgow, told BBC Breakfast she did not understand how it would be possible for a pregnant mother like her to stay away from her six-year-old son and do the school run. | Dr Punam Krishan, a GP from Glasgow, told BBC Breakfast she did not understand how it would be possible for a pregnant mother like her to stay away from her six-year-old son and do the school run. |
| She said: "Many pregnant women across the globe have got other children. | She said: "Many pregnant women across the globe have got other children. |
| "So at the moment, whilst I get the logic of why schools are not closed - my husband also works in the NHS - at the same time, how do I socially distance myself while I have to drop off my son at school. | "So at the moment, whilst I get the logic of why schools are not closed - my husband also works in the NHS - at the same time, how do I socially distance myself while I have to drop off my son at school. |
| "My elderly parents are no longer my support system - it's really scary." | "My elderly parents are no longer my support system - it's really scary." |
| In newly released guidance, the government advises pregnant women "to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible". | In newly released guidance, the government advises pregnant women "to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible". |
| The government has stopped short of ordering pregnant women to follow its new guidelines, and is for the moment strongly encouraging them to follow it as "stringently" as they can. | |
| If contact with other people is essential, then they should remain 2m (6ft) apart. | |
| The BBC has asked the Department of Health how pregnant mothers can keep their hospital appointments for things like antenatal scans and the school run under the new guidelines. | The BBC has asked the Department of Health how pregnant mothers can keep their hospital appointments for things like antenatal scans and the school run under the new guidelines. |
| The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said their joint guidance for pregnant women would be updated to reflect the government's announcement. | The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said their joint guidance for pregnant women would be updated to reflect the government's announcement. |