If a pregnant woman gets hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), there’s normally no risk to the unborn baby, as complications are rare.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is rare in healthy adults, so the risk of infection during pregnancy is also very low.
However, if you develop hand, foot and mouth disease:
during the first three months of pregnancy – there is some limited evidence that, in very rare cases, this may result in miscarriage
shortly before you give birth – the infection can be passed on to your baby
Most babies born with hand, foot and mouth disease have only mild symptoms. On rare occasions, complications can affect the baby’s organs. Occasionally, these complications are severe.