Coronavirus Covid-19: Statement from ReproMed Group incorporating all of our clinics nationwide.

ReproMed Ireland is committed to the protection of all patients and staff from exposure to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

ReproMed shall continue to act on the best interest of our patients as is and has always been our sole purpose. We understand that we are possibly putting our health and our families’ health at risk by doing so and we would greatly appreciate your cooperation in following our instructions to assist us in minimizing the risks of contact with COVID-19.

Patient Information: COVID-19 and Pregnancy; Consent to Treatment

If you are pregnant your chance of getting COVID-19 is not higher than anyone else and it is very unlikely you will get seriously ill with it.

Pregnant women are in the moderate risk (clinically vulnerable) group as a precaution. This is because you can sometimes be more at-risk from viruses like flu if you are pregnant.

Although it is very rare for pregnant women to become seriously ill if they get COVID-19, it may be more likely later in pregnancy. If this happens, there is a small chance your baby may be born early or you may be advised to give birth early than your due date.

While the chances of having a stillbirth are low, there is some emerging evidence that the risk may be higher if you have COVID-19 at the time of birth.

It is important to follow advice to stop the spread of COVID-19 throughout your pregnancy. Especially when you are more than 28 weeks pregnant (in your 3rd trimester). You can also have the COVID-19 vaccine.

If you are from an ethnic minority group, evidence suggests you are more likely to be admitted to hospital if you get COVID-19. Maternity teams are taking extra steps to keep you safe if you are higher risk.

It may be possible for you to pass COVID-19 to your baby before they are born, but when this has happened, the babies have got better.

There is no evidence COVID-19 causes miscarriage or affects how your baby develops in pregnancy.

Protecting yourself and your baby:

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and your baby from COVID-19.

Being vaccinated will reduce the chance of you becoming very unwell from COVID-19 and reduce the chance of complications for your baby.

COVID-19 vaccines may actually help to protect your baby after birth as you may pass on antibiotics from the vaccine to your baby.

Get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are:

• Pregnant
• Trying for a baby or might get pregnant in the future
• Breastfeeding