Whether you’re entering crowded stores to run errands or your older child comes home from school with the sniffles, life doesn’t come to a halt when you’re pregnant. While you may not be able to avoid every pathogen out there completely, Griffin recommends taking these precautions:

• Wash your hands. Frequent handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds can help prevent the spread of disease.
• Mask up. Wearing a face mask in crowded spaces can reduce your chance of breathing in droplets from an airborne virus.
• Avoid sick people. While it’s impossible to know if everyone you encounter is sick, try to avoid being around sick people when you can. If someone in your household is sick, be sure to utilize face masks, practice good hand hygiene, and regularly clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs or countertops.
• Get vaccinated. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says that the available vaccines for flu, COVID-19, RSV and whooping cough are all safe and effective during pregnancy. Getting these vaccines can help lower your risk of dangerous outcomes if you are infected with one of these viruses while pregnant.

Vaccines also pass antibodies to your baby, giving them a layer of protection before they’re born. Talk to your doctor about the best vaccination schedule for you, but the ACOG recommends the following timeline for pregnant people: