Pregnant women are no more likely to become ill with severe coronavirus than non-pregnant woman, new research suggests.
Yet scientists have found that pregnant women from black and other minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are more likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
The findings have been published by researchers from the University of Oxford, in collaboration with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Universities of Leeds and Birmingham, Kings and Imperial Colleges London.
They found that the majority of women who did become severely ill were in their third trimester of pregnancy.
Scientists have emphasised the importance of social distancing for mums-to-be who are more than six months pregnant.
The study looked at 427 pregnant women admitted to hospitals in the UK between March 1 and April 14 with confirmed COVID-19.
Almost five out of every 1000 pregnant women were admitted to hospital with coronavirus, suggesting pregnant women are not at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness.
However, those expecting a baby from BAME groups were more likely to be admitted to hospital for COVID-19.
Researchers say this inequality persisted even when women from London, the West Midlands and the North West were excluded from the analysis, meaning the difference can't be explained by higher rates of infection in those areas.
Sixty percent of the women admitted to hospital have now given birth, while the remaining forty percent have ongoing pregnancies. Most women have now been discharged home.
Around one in 10 women required intensive care, and sadly five pregnant women have died.
Marian Knight, Professor of Maternal and Child Population Health at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford and lead investigator for the study, said: "A very small number of pregnant women do become severely ill with COVID-19 and sadly some women have died.
"Our thoughts must remain with their families. It is concerning that more pregnant women from black and minority ethnic groups are admitted with COVID-19 in pregnancy and this needs urgent investigation.
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"Most pregnant women who were admitted to hospital were more than six months pregnant, which emphasises the importance of continued social distancing measures in the later stages of pregnancy. Following the current guidance about careful social distancing will help prevent infection."
The analysis also showed that older pregnant women, those who were overweight or obese, and pregnant women who had pre-existing medical problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, were more likely to be admitted to hospital with the infection.
Women who were admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in pregnancy were less likely to smoke than a group of comparison pregnant women.
Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and an author on the study, added: ‘Admission with infection in pregnancy is also associated with older maternal age, overweight and obesity, and the presence of pre-existing medical conditions.
"Awareness of these factors is important for both women and their doctors and midwives to help ensure women receive appropriate advice about prevention and complications of COVID-19 are recognised early. Detailed advice and guidance for women is available on the RCOG website."
The information was gathered from all 194 hospitals in the UK with a consultant-led maternity unit.
Midwifery experts have emphasised the importance of expectant women to attend their antenatal appointments during the pandemic.
Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "During this current crisis, pregnancies have continued, babies have been born, and, throughout it all, midwives have been at their side, supporting and caring for them.
"It’s absolutely vital that women continue to attend antenatal appointments to ensure that they and their babies are well. Staying in touch with their maternity services team will help put any concerns at ease and enable them to act quickly when necessary."
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