A leading maternity expert has said an association of Covid-19 infection with still birth remained an unproven observation in a move aimed at reassuring pregnant women.
A potential link between Covid-19 and stillbirth was disclosed at a National Public Health Emergency meeting on Thursday, after coroners found Covid-19 infection of the placenta as a factor in four stillbirths in January and February.
Dr Krysia Lynch, a maternity expert who chairs the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services (AIMS), said the news of the potential association has understandably caused increased anxiety in pregnant women.
However she said while grateful the data has been released, it is as yet incomplete and provisional .
Covid-19 blamed for delay to national maternity strategy rollout
The strategy was published in 2016 in the wake of a series of tragic incidents and spiralling waiting lists in maternity services. In February this year, Hiqa published a critical report calling for more transparency around the rollout.
Professor Peter McKenna, clinical director with the National Women and Infants Health Programme, said lack of physical access during Covid-19 and redeployment of key staff caused road bumps.
Sat, 12 Dec, 2020 - 07:10
Niamh Griffin
An update on the rollout of the national maternity strategy has been delayed, and HSE officials leading the plan say it is unclear when this will be published due to pressures of the pandemic.
Potential for massive oversight of women’s reproductive rights in Covid-19 vaccine rollout plans
Restricting access to services such as travel for people who opt out of taking the vaccine due to pregnancy, lactation, or fertility concerns would be discriminatory, a maternity rights organisation has said.
Pregnant and lactating healthcare, frontline, and educational workers will likely be recommended not to take the vaccine. File Picture: Pexels
Fri, 11 Dec, 2020 - 07:11
Ellie O’Byrne
Pregnant healthcare, education, and frontline services workers may be excluded from Government Covid-19 vaccine rollout plans due to the lack of safety trials on the vaccines’ impacts on pregnancy, fertility, and lactation.