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1/11 THE RISE OF STILLBIRTHS DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS
This issue continues to be underreported.
Stillbirth rates during CV19 lockdowns have spiked globally and the reasons are twofold.
Why this issue has not been widely reported is also multifaceted. #RationalGround
This issue continues to be underreported.
Stillbirth rates during CV19 lockdowns have spiked globally and the reasons are twofold.
Why this issue has not been widely reported is also multifaceted. #RationalGround
2/11 A primary reason for the uptick in stillbirths due to lockdowns is from reduced access to medical care:
“CV19 has triggered a devastating secondary health crisis for women, children and adolescents due to disruptions in life-saving health services,” https://reliefweb.int/report/world/neglected-tragedy-global-burden-stillbirths-report-un-inter-agency-group-child
“CV19 has triggered a devastating secondary health crisis for women, children and adolescents due to disruptions in life-saving health services,” https://reliefweb.int/report/world/neglected-tragedy-global-burden-stillbirths-report-un-inter-agency-group-child
3/11 The potential increase in the developing world due to lockdowns is devastating:
“A pandemic-induced 50% reduction in health services, could cause nearly 200K additional stillbirths over a 12-month period in 117 low and middle income countries…”
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/10/1074902
“A pandemic-induced 50% reduction in health services, could cause nearly 200K additional stillbirths over a 12-month period in 117 low and middle income countries…”
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/10/1074902
4/11 Stillbirth increases, however, are not limited to the developing world:
“What we’ve done is cause an unintended spike in stillbirth while trying to protect [pregnant women] from COVID-19,” https://nypost.com/2020/09/16/alarming-spike-in-stillbirths-may-be-result-of-covid-19-lockdown/
“What we’ve done is cause an unintended spike in stillbirth while trying to protect [pregnant women] from COVID-19,” https://nypost.com/2020/09/16/alarming-spike-in-stillbirths-may-be-result-of-covid-19-lockdown/
5/11 In addition to lack of care, there are numerous studies indicating increases in stress & anxiety lead to higher rates of stillbirths:
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/stressful-life-events-may-increase-stillbirth-risk-nih-network-study-finds#:~:text=Two%20stressful%20events%20increased%20a,woman%20who%20had%20experienced%20none
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18463464/
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/poorer-women-three-times-higher-risk-having-stillbirths-1685261 https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01734.x
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/stressful-life-events-may-increase-stillbirth-risk-nih-network-study-finds#:~:text=Two%20stressful%20events%20increased%20a,woman%20who%20had%20experienced%20none
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18463464/
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/poorer-women-three-times-higher-risk-having-stillbirths-1685261 https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01734.x
6/11 Frustratingly, the media’s constant fear mongering only exacerbates the existing worry; creating a perfect storm of anxiety, stress, & depression:
https://www.jmir.org/2020/9/e20955/
https://doi.apa.org/fulltext/2020-20168-001.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7370076/
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.08.24.20180745v2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7351429/
https://www.jmir.org/2020/9/e20955/
https://doi.apa.org/fulltext/2020-20168-001.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7370076/
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.08.24.20180745v2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7351429/
7/11 Stillbirth deaths also negatively impact the mental health of families dealing with the trauma. This includes depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, social phobia, agoraphobia, PTSD, etc.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC31099/
https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/anxiety/ptsd-trauma-and-stressor-related/treating-patients-who-have-experienced-stillbirth/2/ https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/stillbirth-increased-risk-depression/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC31099/
https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/anxiety/ptsd-trauma-and-stressor-related/treating-patients-who-have-experienced-stillbirth/2/ https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/stillbirth-increased-risk-depression/
8/11 Also, due to lockdowns, the negative impacts from a stillbirth are less likely to be mitigated:
“…mothers of stillborn babies who perceived family support in the period after stillbirth experienced..." lower levels of anxiety & depression.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joanne_Cacciatore/publication/227663078_The_effects_of_social_support_on_maternal_anxiety_and_depression_after_stillbirth/links/5d261087a6fdcc2462d325cc/The-effects-of-social-support-on-maternal-anxiety-and-depression-after-stillbirth.pdf
“…mothers of stillborn babies who perceived family support in the period after stillbirth experienced..." lower levels of anxiety & depression.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joanne_Cacciatore/publication/227663078_The_effects_of_social_support_on_maternal_anxiety_and_depression_after_stillbirth/links/5d261087a6fdcc2462d325cc/The-effects-of-social-support-on-maternal-anxiety-and-depression-after-stillbirth.pdf
9/11 So why isn’t this a bigger story?
First, data on stillbirths isn’t readily available so the scale of the issue isn’t quickly noticed. For example, Scotland is "...one of a few countries that collate data on stillbirths and infant deaths monthly..." https://guardian.ng/features/concerns-as-stillbirths-preterm-deliveries-rise-amidst-coronavirus/
First, data on stillbirths isn’t readily available so the scale of the issue isn’t quickly noticed. For example, Scotland is "...one of a few countries that collate data on stillbirths and infant deaths monthly..." https://guardian.ng/features/concerns-as-stillbirths-preterm-deliveries-rise-amidst-coronavirus/
10/11 Secondly, opinions on stillbirths are complicated by the politics of abortion, making it a sensitive issue to cover.
This also minimizes the loss felt by families and negative mental health consequences after the stillbirth:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/un-ignores-3-million-annual-stillbirths-because-of-abortion-politics https://www.huffpost.com/entry/opinion-lens-abortion-stillbirth_n_5af0839de4b041fd2d294316
This also minimizes the loss felt by families and negative mental health consequences after the stillbirth:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/un-ignores-3-million-annual-stillbirths-because-of-abortion-politics https://www.huffpost.com/entry/opinion-lens-abortion-stillbirth_n_5af0839de4b041fd2d294316
11/11 The spike in stillbirths is an issue that must be addressed & recognized as another consequence of lockdowns and fear-mongering.
I wrote about this topic before and will continue to push as long as politicians and public health experts stay silent. https://twitter.com/OBusybody/status/1297919934278901766
I wrote about this topic before and will continue to push as long as politicians and public health experts stay silent. https://twitter.com/OBusybody/status/1297919934278901766
