Ault is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and a professor.

Within the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became apparent that pregnancy was a risk factor for more severe clinical outcomes. The CDC published data in June 2020 finding that pregnant women were at higher risk for hospitalization for COVID as well as admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). A larger study published 4 months later confirmed these findings, and revealed a 70% increased risk of maternal death compared to non-pregnant women with COVID. A disproportionate number of the deaths in this study were among Black women.

Even before the COVID crisis, we knew from prior influenza pandemics that stillbirth and preterm delivery are obstetrical complications of novel respiratory infections. And sim

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