Abstract
Pregnancy is an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) with increased rates of operative delivery, intensive care
unit admission, and mechanical ventilation as well as a possible increased risk of
death, independent of other risk factors, compared with nonpregnant women with COVID-19.
Furthermore, pregnancy outcomes are worse in those with COVID-19 with increased risk
for preeclampsia, venous thromboembolism, preterm birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth
compared with pregnant women without COVID-19. Importantly, pregnant women of nonwhite
ethnicity appear to be at greater risk of severe COVID-19, necessitating improved
access to care and closer monitoring in these women. The management of COVID-19 in
pregnancy is largely similar to that in nonpregnant people; however, there is an important
emphasis on multidisciplinary team involvement to ensure favorable outcomes in both
mother and baby. Similarly, vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is safe in pregnancy and improves maternal and neonatal
outcomes.
Keywords
pregnancy - COVID-19 - maternal mortality - vaccination
