Has pregnancy been considered a risk factor for serious influenza-related complications in the past?
Yes. Pregnant women were shown to be at increased risk for severe complications from influenza in previous pandemics, during seasonal influenza outbreaks, and from early data on 2009 H1N1. A study conducted during the first month of the outbreak found that the rate of hospitalizations for 2009 H1N1 was four times higher in pregnant women than the rest of the population. Compared with people in the general population, pregnant women with 2009 H1N1 flu are more likely to be hospitalized or die.
