According to maternal mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Vital Statistics System, there were 3,791,712 births and 658 maternal deaths in 2018. This makes the maternal mortality ratio for that year 17.4 per 100,000 live births. In 2021, there were 3,664,292 births and 1,205 maternal deaths. This makes the maternal mortality ratio for that year 32.9 per 100,000 live births. Many health care professionals believe that the recent rise in mortality rates in the U.S. is due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some women suffered major pregnancy complications related to the virus while others had lower quality prenatal care due to the virus’ strain on the health care system as a whole.