Advocates call for change following  ‘striking’ report on maternal deaths in Ireland

Dr Cliona Murphy said ‘widespread vaccination’ was one of the reasons that there was no link between maternal deaths and covid. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

A report on maternal deaths in Ireland raising concerns around “a significant decline in maternal mental health” during the pandemic should lead to change, advocates have urged.

The report shows between 2019 and 2021, some 24 women died either during pregnancy or up to one year afterwards. Among those, eight died by suicide, and seven of these were during the pandemic years.