Your questions, answered "Any new advice for expectant mothers? With the new guidance, many people are dropping their masks, but should that include those who are pregnant? As a person who just learned I am expecting, I'm hesitant to ditch my mask (even though I'm vaccinated and boosted), and even more hesitant to be around others who are ditching their masks." — Jessica in Idaho This question is top-of-mind for many expectant parents. Pregnancy raises your risk of severe disease. Your immune system changes, your heart and lungs have to work harder. Even if you're young and in picture-perfect health, it's worth taking precautions to protect yourself and your baby. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the nation's leading OB-GYN group, says pregnant people should follow the CDC's recommendations on masking in their communities. This information is available on the CDC's website, where you can find out your county's current covid-19 community level. These levels change based on local caseloads and hospitalizations, so it's a good idea to check regularly. In areas where the community level is high, ACOG says it's "extremely important" for pregnant people to continue masking. Masking is also recommended for high-risk people in areas where the community level is medium, according to the CDC's guidelines. Even in places where the covid-19 community level is low, "pregnant individuals may wish to continue wearing masks and should be supported if they decide to do so," ACOG says. The group points out that masking poses no known risks to you or your baby. For many people, pregnancy means lots of doctor visits. ACOG says patients should wear masks at all times during health-care visits, wash their hands, and follow triage procedures. Pregnant people should also mask up while using public transportation, during travel, and while in airports and other travel hubs, according to ACOG . Make sure you use high-quality N95 or KN95 masks, which provide the best protection against the virus. Surgical masks are an acceptable option, too. Fabric masks are much less effective. Check out our FAQ on how to safely reuse high-quality masks. Masks are just one layer of protection. Vaccines are your best bet against avoiding severe disease. They're safe for pregnant people and fetuses, and research shows that mothers pass disease-fighting antibodies on to their infants if they're vaccinated during pregnancy. On a personal note, I live in an area where community transmission is low and officials have lifted mask requirements. My partner, who is boosted and pregnant with our first child, wears a mask in public and around others while indoors. So do I. Your risk tolerance may be different than ours, and that's okay! When in doubt, consult with your health-care providers — they'll help you make the right decision for you. |