To protect yourself from infection, it is important to do the following:

• Wash your hands often (at least 40-60 seconds, if you use soap and water, and at least 30-40 seconds if you use an alcohol-based sanitizer on dry skin)
• Keep a distance of at least 1 meter between yourself and others
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Maintain appropriate hygiene rules (e.g. in case of coughing or sneezing, use disposable tissues - if there are none, use the inside of your elbow)

On the basis of available data, although limited thus far, all mothers with symptoms associated with Covid-19 infection (fever, cough and joint pain) gave birth to healthy babies. The Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) does not cross the placenta and thus, if the mother is infected, she will not transmit the virus to the child, either during pregnancy or during birth. SARS-CoV-2 has never been detected in amniotic fluid.

To avoid contagion after birth, it is essential that you strictly follow the instructions provided by the staff at the birth center.

At the moment, there is no scientific evidence to suggest inducing early childbirth in women with Covid-19. 
The choice of an epidural will be agreed upon with the team that assists the future mother with childbirth based on her conditions and those of the fetus.

According to what is stated in the Ministerial Circular of March 31, 2020, given that to date the presence of Coronavirus in the blood of the umbilical cord, in the amniotic fluid and in breast milk has not been demonstrated, there is no elective indication for cesarean section for women affected by Covid-19.

All indications related to the course of pregnancy/birth and to the health of the fetus remain valid.

When the clinical condition of the new mother allows, and if she wishes, breastfeeding must be started and/or maintained by the staff at the birth center.

The good news is that, based on the scientific literature available so far, the novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has not been detected in breast milk.

Come si legge nella Circolare Ministeriale del 31 marzo 2020, “In caso di separazione tra madre e bambino, va evitato il ricorso automatico ai sostituti del latte  materno, implementando piuttosto la spremitura del latte materno o il ricorso all’uso di latte umano donato. L’utilizzo del latte materno spremuto da madre SARS-CoV-2 positiva, per il proprio neonato, all’interno di una Terapia Intensiva Neonatale segue protocolli specifici. Nei casi di infezione materna grave, la spremitura del latte materno potrà non essere effettuata in base alle condizioni generali della madre”.