VOA慢速英语:新冠病毒导致美国出生率雪上加霜

pandemic medical noun : an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world

obstetrics – medical noun : a branch of medical science that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period

gynecology – medical noun : a branch of medicine that deals with the diseases and routine physical care of the reproductive system of women

preliminary – adj. coming before the main part of something

teenager – adj. between 13 and 19 years old

couple – n. two persons married, engaged, or otherwise romantically paired

expense – n. an amount of money that must be spent especially regularly to pay for something

maternity ward – n. The department of a hospital that provides care for women during pregnancy and childbirth as well as for newborn infants.

perceived – adj. regarded in a specified way —used to say how something or someone is seen or thought of

myth – n. an idea or story that is believed by many people but that is not true