Management of pregnant women with known or suspected COVID-19

16 March 2020

The above guidance was commissioned from the Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association (OAA) by the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, the Intensive Care Society, the Association of Anaesthetists and the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It reflects the expert opinion of senior clinicians and is based in part on published information from the current and previous coronavirus outbreaks. It is correct at the time of publication but please be aware that it is subject to change as new information becomes available. We would welcome input from people as they gain experience of managing these patients.

Our intention is to provide principles upon which to base the management of pregnant women with known or suspected COVID-19, but each unit will need to prepare their own detailed guidance appropriate to their setting. They will also need to liaise with services including, but not limited to, the emergency department, intensive care and other parts of the anaesthetic department to ensure that all policies are consistent with each other, and that elements such as transfer policies include provision for obstetric patients. The latter is particularly important as obstetric units are often remote from the main hospital or even on a separate site.

The Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association has additional resources available from the following link.