Four reported stillbirths have alerted the maternity staff in Ireland. The moms who gave birth were infected with Covid-19, opening up the possibility that the virus could be the cause.
According to the Irish Times, findings showed that the then-pregnant women suffered from mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19. All four stillbirths happened between January and February 2021.
"We have been made aware of four preliminary reports of stillbirths potentially associated with a condition called Covid Placentitis," says deputy chief medical officer Dr. Ronan Glynn. "These reports should be interpreted with caution as the coroners have not yet concluded their findings. The HSE’s (Health Service Executive) National Women and Infants Programme is aware of and is monitoring the situation and has issued a related notice to obstetric departments."
Although Covid-19 can cause placental infection and impaired blood flow, stillbirth was an 'unusual complication,'" according to the head of HSE women and infants health programme, Prof. Peter McKenna.
An alert has been issued as a precautionary measures until further assumptions can be confirmed. Chairwoman of the Institute of Obstetricians Dr. Cliona Murphy adds, "I’d be cautious about drawing too much from this. It could be an unfortunate coincidence.” But this doesn't mean we should be complacent, Murphy reminds pregnant women who have been tested Covid-19 to get checked.