Here at last is some good news about the Covid-19 pandemic:

In many places with strict lockdowns this spring, there were far fewer premature births than is considered normal https://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

In Denmark, the number of babies born after less than 28 weeks of gestation — 40 weeks is the norm — dropped by 90% during the country’s month-long lockdown this spring http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

In one region of Ireland, the rate of preemies with very low birth weight was down by 73% between January and April compared with averages over the preceding two decades http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

Somewhat smaller decreases have been observed in:

Canada
Australia
The Netherlands

Elsewhere, clinics and doctors are now scurrying to examine their own data http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

Premature birth is sometimes associated with various medical complications:

Cerebral palsy
Learning disabilities
Visual problems

For example, it’s why Stevie Wonder, an American singer who was born six weeks early, is blind http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

One reason to rejoice is, of course, that many parents had healthier babies this spring.

But the bigger reason to cheer is that this discovery could eventually help us understand what causes premature birth in the first place, and thus how to prevent it http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

One explanation for fewer premature births may be the decreases in air pollution during the lockdowns, as fewer people drove or flew and factories belched less http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

Another factor could be that the moms-to-be had fewer infections generally — and thus less inflammation in their bodies — as we reduced contact with people and germs and obsessively washed hands http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

But the most obvious and plausible reason appears to be that for many expecting moms, though decidedly not all, the lockdowns reduced stress.

For the lucky ones, the pandemic was a time to slow down, which is what pregnant women are advised to do anyway http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

An additional factor lowering stress during pregnancy is feeling supported by partners and families.

The more fathers stay engaged, the better the mothers feel. And during the lockdown, the dads had more opportunities to do just that http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

Yet, for some women this same situation increased stress and anguish, because the lockdowns also led to tragic epidemics of domestic violence.

SARS-CoV-2 isn’t just nasty, it’s also hugely unfair because it treats us all differently http://trib.al/3M6CRWM 

These insights seem to be no-brainers:

Pregnant women should get as much rest, and as much support from their partners, as possible. Employers and governments should create generous rules about maternity and paternity leave that starts before birth http://trib.al/3M6CRWM