Should the news report on COVID deaths of mothers post birth

[JKD1982]

Not sure if I’m being too sensitive and the information needs to be shared. But I’ve now read 3 stories of mums giving birth then dying of COVID. It doesn’t really give the context of their overall health and not sure it’s useful for all of us pregnant women about to go into labour.

It’s usually the Guardian that seems to like to tell the stories and I am fed up having to try and determine if there is a risk to pregnant women or not. The latest one seems to suggest she picked up COVID whilst going to an antenatal appointment which is in my opinion scare mongering.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/new-mother-dies-of-coronavirus-six-days-after-giving-birth

Thoughts?

Yes they should. I haven't seen it being reported in a sensationalist way but in society and medicine in general, pregnant women are often bottom of the pile so yes if they are at higher risk, the public needs to be made aware and their deaths need to be scrutinized to ascertain why they died. Not just brushed under the carpet. Older people hearing about it people in their age category who have died may cause them anxiety. Or nurses and doctors hearing about other nurses and doctors. Does that mean their deaths shouldn't be reported on?

Pregnant women are in the vulnerable category and were told early on to self isolate so it's safe to assume there's a higher risk if you're pregnant.

Why wouldn't they?

Why shouldn't they report it? They have died just the same as the other victims.
It's like saying that an asthmatic persons Corona Virus death shouldn't be reported for fear of frightening people with asthma.

I'm not sure why reporting it is scaremongering. Obviously many thousands of women will have given birth and very few have died so I don't think reporting on those who have sadly passed away should be interpreted as implying all pregnant women are at massive risk. They have been put under the "at risk" category so would presumably be taking extra precautions. This is a new virus so we don't have the huge detailed statistical studies which would usually be available to determin how at risk pregnant women and their babies are.

Have a look at Andrew H Shennan OBE on Twitter. He is posting very useful data. Today's tweet on a study: "Reassuring. Report of 116 cases in pregnancy. Preterm birth (6%) and miscarriage similar to background rates. No vertical transmission of covid19. No maternal deaths.t.co/EM5WNhjK6n"

I find it quite ghoulish and seem it unsavoury on those grounds. But in terms of the reporting I suppose they don’t really have access to the full facts and pregnant women are already deemed vulnerable so it’s not like it’s scaremongering. But bearing that in mind they don’t really have anything of substance to report. They’re essentially using these deaths as clickbate.

Click bait

We must also look at each case, whether Covid is a total cause of death or if it is a Co Morbidity, there is a big difference

I’m pregnant and seeing stories like that fucking terrifies me. The story yesterday sent me into a downward spiral. I’m not scared for me and my baby, more for leaving my other children.

I probably should just keep away from the news.

I’m doing all I can to stay safe but I still have to go to the hospital every 3 weeks for checks and scans, nothing I can do about that.

It’s just they insinuate she caught COVID attending a routine antenatal appointment in a hospital. They don’t know that. There is no truth in that statement she could have had multiple underlying health issues and caught it in Tesco.
I agree we need to know as a vulnerable group but the full context should be provided or don’t report it

34 weeks with twins here and yes it is scary and awful for the women and families involved but we have to remember the chances of it happening are so small ! There are also lots of women getting covid and them and their babies recover just fine ! A lady 9 weeks pregnant with twins has recovered and her twins are doing well even though shes only first trimester ( the highest risk time ) ! Also we don't know if those who have sadly passed were having a very high risk pregnancy and issues anyway ! Try not to let the reports freak you out your going to be okay

@JKD1982 exactly really think they should focus on some more positive stories too it's not doing anyone any good just reading about all the doom and gloom at a really stressful time anyway

@JKD1982....While they may not no for certain its a pretty good guess. Millions of people catch viruses going to hospital or Drs appointments every year. Thats why hospitals the world over has cancelled elective procedures and have triaged the rest. To keep otherwise healthy people from getting the virus. Its not scaremongering when its the truth and yes every death should be accurately reported

It's not helpful. I along with many others didn't choose to be pregnant with all this going on. It just makes me terrified every time I hear about a new mum dying.
I wonder I'd those who aren't bothered are actually pregnant?

39 weeks pregnant here and the article has caused a real wobble for me today (especially as I have a slight cough ). Mainly worried about leaving DS and the new baby motherless as PP said, which is a massive spiral I know! However, I don’t think not reporting is the right way to go... people should be aware and we are a higher risk group apparently. I’m just trying to limit my news intake at this point.

I wonder I'd those who aren't bothered are actually pregnant?

Who said they weren't bothered? I thought the question was whether it should be reported or not?

The attitude of a lot of people seems to be so what? I just don't think you'd feel like that if you were pregnant.

So only pregnant women are allowed an opinion on what journalists should report on?

I get very anxious when i read reports of young mothers dying. I have young children. Does that mean they shouldn't be reported on?

There's bigger things in the world than my (diagnosed and very severe) anxiety.

Try having an “underlying condition”, then all you ever read is stories of death after death but “oh it’s ok, they had an underlying health condition”. Bloody terrifying.

It needs to be reported. Especially when hospitals are making difficult decisions regarding having partners at scans, birth, etc.

There are many vulnerable groups of people and it is important that the risks are reported as accurately as possible in all cases. This allows us to make informed choices. Is it terrifying when I see more reports of people with my health condition dying? I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. Do I want to be protected from.it? No, as I am not a weak, lesser person because of my health condition. The fear is there for a reason. To remind me that I need to be as careful as possible.

I think that every reported death should have details of any pre existing health conditions. It can cause a massive amount of worry otherwise. I am pregnant and this caused me some worry. I then realised it didn’t contain details of her health, thought it was likely she did have pre existing conditions, and worried a little less. I obviously have no idea. Stress management is important in pregnancy.