As if Pregnant women didn't have enough to worry about, many are now facing into added stress and uncertainity due to the coronavirus.

Since the first outbreak in China, the information available to pregnant women on how the virus affects unborn babies or whether mams-to-be are more susceptible to catching it in the first place, has been extremely limited.

So what do you need to know? The health experts are still unclear as to how exactly COVID-19 affects pregnant women and their babies.

One of the biggest risks of the virus according to the HSE is a High temperature, they explain: "One of the symptoms of coronavirus is fever (high temperature). This can increase the risk of complications during the first trimester (week 0 to 13)."

They urge pregnant women if you have a high temperature and you are pregnant, phone your GP or midwife.

When you are pregnant, your body naturally weakens your immune system. This is to help your pregnancy continue successfully. It means that when you are pregnant you may pick up infections more easily.

All pregnant women should get the flu vaccine. This will protect you and your baby from the flu, not from coronavirus.

The HSE advise that if you have coronavirus, there are extra precautions they will need to take before, during and after your baby's birth. Your obstetrician or midwife should talk to you about the safest way and time for your baby to be born.

Other expert doctors may also be involved in your care. These might include a doctor who specialises in infectious diseases and a neonatologist. This is a doctor who specialises in the care of newborn babies.

You may be in an isolation room with en-suite facilities during labour. You may need to stay in this room throughout your hospital stay.

You will not have to wear a facemask during labour and birth. But you will need to wear a surgical mask when youre outside your room.

Other than your doctor or midwife, only one other person may stay with you for the delivery. This could be a partner or family member. They will need to wear protective equipment to minimise the risk of infection.

If you have coronavirus, your doctor or midwife will discuss your options for after your baby is born.

One option may be to arrange for someone else to care for your baby while you wait for coronavirus to pass. This is to protect your baby from catching the virus.

A family member or a healthcare worker can provide this care. This could be provided at home or in the hospital. How long this lasts for will vary. The advice will depend on your symptoms and the results of any tests you have had.

If you choose to care for your baby after the birth, your doctor or midwife will explain the risk.

You and your baby will then be isolated in a single room with an en-suite bathroom. Your baby will be in an enclosed incubator in your room. An incubator is a special crib made of plastic, it keeps your baby warm. You will be able to see your baby in the incubator.

When your baby is outside the incubator for breastfeeding, bathing or caring you will need to:

Your baby should be observed for signs of infection. This will be for at least 14 days after the last contact with you. If your baby develops any signs of infection, they will need to be tested.

You will be advised about how many visitors you and your baby can have. In some cases, this might be just you and your partner. All visitors will need to wear protective equipment to wear.

If you have coronavirus and you are caring for your baby, you will be encouraged to breastfeed as normal.

You may decide to express breast milk so that someone else can feed your baby. This is usually your partner or a close family member. You might do this if you feel too unwell to breastfeed. Your healthcare team may also advise you that this is the safest way to feed your baby.

If you breastfeed

According to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology there is no strong evidence of any negative effects of Covid-19 infection on pregnancies, especially those at early stages.

There are a few reported cases of women positive for Covid-19 who delivered healthy infants free of the disease.

However, they add that some of medical treatment given to severely infected patients may indicate the use of drugs which are contraindicated in pregnant women.

Therefore as a precautionary measure they advise all fertility patients considering or planning treatment should avoid becoming pregnant at this time.

For those patients already having treatment, they suggest considering deferred pregnancy or embryo freezing for later embryo transfer.

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What you need to know about Coronavirus and pregnancy in Ireland - RSVP Live