Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Countermeasures
こう〜For Pregnant Women〜
Effects of Infection on Pregnancy
At this time, coronavirus infection during the third trimester appears
to have the same progression and severity as in non-pregnant women.
There have been reports of fetal transmission abroad, but no cases offetal abnormalities, stillbirth, or miscarriage. As a result, even in you
are pregnant, excessive concern is unnecessary.

Daily Preventive Measures

Generally, there is always as risk thatpneumonia in pregnant women canworsen. Please continue to avoid crowds,
wash your hands regularly, and take careof your general daily health.
Avoid places that break the “Three Cs”:
① closed spaces, ② crowded places,and ③ close-contact settings.

Working

For working women,
based on your physicalcondition, please
consult with yourcompany aboutmeasures likestaggering commuting
hours and teleworking.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is working
to assure the peace of mind and safety of pregnant
women.
More information for pregnant women regarding standard precautions, prenatal check-ups, and instructions in case offever is available on the back side. General coronavirus information, as well as more detailed information, is alsoavailable on the websites of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and related academic societies.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare <New Coronavirus Q&A>
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/dengue_fever_qa_00014.html
Japan Society for Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSIDOG) <Information For Pregnant/
Women Expecting to Become Pregnant Concerning the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Updated based on thesituation)> http://jsidog.kenkyuukai.jp/information/ (Only available in Japanese)※ Please note that this leaflet was constructed using information available based on the current situation. As
the situation changes, updates will be made available.

☞Continues on back

New criteria for testing and consultation
Pregnant women who have relatively mild cold symptoms (such as feveror cough) should immediately call a consultation center for people withpotential exposure to COVID-19.
When you visit a health facility, please ensure to wear a mask, wash yourhands and follow cough etiquette (cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or
your sleeve when you cough or sneeze)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000628620.pdf (Only available in Japanese)

Prefecture consultation centers for pregnant women
Consultation centers for pregnant women have been made accessible inevery prefecture, city, and respective subareas.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_11296.html (Only available in Japanese)※Further information regarding COVID19 with multilingual support isavailable on the website of SHARE.
https://share.or.jp/english/news/covid-19_information_for_foreigners_b#multi

Concerning Childbirth
Each prefecture is working to prepare an environment for calm and safe
childbirths for pregnant women affected by COVID-19. If you have been
infected, please contact your physician about your childbirth.

For pregnant or actively nursing women who are working
When a pregnant employee, with guidance from her medical doctor, expresses to her
employer concerns over COVID19 related psychological and health and safety issues
that may affect her and her unborn childʼs health, the employer shall take necessary
measures (such as change of working hours and adjustment of workload) to ensure
the welfare of the employee based on the health recommendations she received.

（Act on Securing, Etc., of Equal Opportunity and Treatment between Men and Women in Employment）※The measure shall be implemented from May 7, 2020, until January 31, 2021.

A pregnant or nursing employee has a right, even without thedirections of a medical doctor, to request not to have her work overtime nor
work on days off nor work at night.（Labour standard Act)------The leaflet for protecting the working pregnant woman is posted on thewebsite.------https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11909000/000628247.pdf (Onlyavailable in Japanese

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has submitted a request for cooperation
regarding the new coronavirus to various labour unions, such that pregnant workers
are properly respected, and to prepare a system where pregnant women can takeleave of absence with peace of mind.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_11067.html(Machine translation system for English, Chinese and Korean is available)

Video messages from experts
Video messages from medical experts are available to pregnant womenand those with young children.

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_10996.html (Machine translation system
is available on YouTube channel)
Translated by the joint project team of the Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate Schoolof Medicine, The University of Tokyo, and Services for the Health in Asian & African Regions (SHARE).

Last edited: May 14th, 2020