Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED because you have symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") and you are pregnant. Pregnant people are not at higher risk of getting COVID-19, but they are more likely to get very sick from the infection than people who are not pregnant.
The virus that causes COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person. This usually happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks near other people. A person can be infected, and spread the virus to others, even without having any symptoms.
You might be waiting on test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take all your medicines as instructed, if the doctor gave you any.
●Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated.
●If needed, you can take acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) to treat fever or pain. If this does not help enough with symptoms, talk to your doctor about other possible options.
●It might help to use a cool mist humidifier if the air in your home is dry.
●Use 2 to 3 pillows to prop yourself up when you lie down to make it easier to breathe and sleep.
●Do not smoke or be in smoke-filled places.
●Do not drink alcohol.
●Lower your chance of passing COVID-19 to others:
•Stay home while you are feeling sick or have a fever.
•At home, try to limit close contact with other people. You can wear a face mask to help protect others.
•Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
•Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, and eyes. Avoid these same areas on your baby.
•Do not go to work or school until your symptoms are improving and your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without taking medicine such as acetaminophen.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You have severe belly pain.
•You have a strong urge to push your baby out.
•You are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time.
•You need to sit upright to breathe, or cannot lie down.
•You are very confused, or cannot stay awake.
•Your lips or skin turn blue.
•You think you might be having a medical emergency. Some examples are:
-Severe chest pain
-Being unable to speak or move normally
●Return to the ED if you:
•Have trouble breathing when talking
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●You become weak or dizzy.
●You have very dark urine, or do not urinate for longer than 8 hours.
●You have contractions every 10 minutes or more often.
●You have low, dull back pain that does not go away.
●You have pressure in your pelvis that feels like your baby is pushing down.
●You have watery or bloody fluid leaking from your vagina.
●You have cramps in your lower belly that come and go, or are constant.
●Your baby moves less than usual or stops moving.
●You have a headache that is very bad or doesn't go away, changes in vision, or pain in your upper belly.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: COVID-19 and pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: COVID-19 tests (The Basics)
Patient education: COVID-19 overview (The Basics)
