Pregnancy

What we know

Man and pregnant woman

  • Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
  • Infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect called microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects
  • Zika primarily spreads through infected mosquitoes. You can also get Zika through sex without a condom with someone infected by Zika, even if that person does not show symptoms of Zika.
  • There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika.

What we do not know

  • How likely it is that Zika infection will affect your pregnancy.
  • If your baby will have birth defects if you are infected while pregnant.
  • The full range of health effects that Zika virus infection during pregnancy might lead to.

Learn more on CDC’s Zika and Pregnancy site…

If you have questions about a possible infection or diagnosis

If families would like to speak to someone about a possible Zika virus infection or diagnosis during pregnancy and risk to the baby, please contact MotherToBaby. MotherToBaby experts are available to answer questions in English or Spanish by phone or chat. The free and confidential service is available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (local time). To reach MotherToBaby: