Young mother dies of COVID, 13 days after giving birth

[bullwinkle428]

This story is local to me, so the impact was particularly hard.

Alexa died Tuesday from complications of COVID-19, just 13 days after hearing the cries of her newborn boy named Barrett. If grief has a sound, its source comes from a personal place found between the reality of unthinkable loss and the joy of remembering a unique life.

Kaitlin tried to hang on to the laughter. She explained Alexa tested positive for COVID-19 on July 25. She was admitted to a hospital and gave birth to Barrett on July 28. Barrett went home that day and Alexa stayed in the hospital one extra day. She was readmitted with more severe symptoms, and on Aug. 2 she was sent home.

After getting a day with Barrett — who also tested positive for COVID-19 — Alexa was back in the hospital Aug. 3 and had to be intubated Aug. 7.

"Alexa had no underlying conditions — other than, I guess, pregnancy," Kaitlin said. "Alexa was a deeply religious person. She believed God held her."

Kaitlin explained that Drew and Alexa's family wanted people to know Alexa's story for another reason.

"Alexa was not vaccinated," Kaitlin said. "She was pregnant and she wasn't sure what she wanted to do. But she did plan to get vaccinated after the birth of the baby.

"Alexa's family doesn't care about politics. They want people to know how important the vaccines are to help protect us. If you have worries — and many of us do — you should go to your doctor or find good sources and make informed decisions."

https://qctimes.com/news/local/grief-laughter-and-the-cries-of-a-newborn-covid-19-takes-life-of-alexa-sheeder/article_35942f52-5454-5f4e-90c6-8d670b6e530b.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Was listening to a discussion on "Morning Joe" today, and one of the doctors mentioned that only 23% of pregnant women have been vaccinated. I want to hope that stories like may help change these numbers.

[LisaL]

1. Covid is really dangerous for pregnant women.

NT

[bullwinkle428]

2. And I'm not sure why pregnant women can't make the connection that

their babies are going to be born with COVID too, as was the case here.

Not sure if I should be feeling some anger toward the OB/GYN for not stressing highly enough, the importance of getting vaccinated, but I suppose these women are all adults, and the responsibility ultimately lies with them.

[GPV]

4. It's a definite vs a maybe. A vaccine exposure is definite, a wild exposure is a maybe. I think that

influences a lot of thinking here, and that perhaps not enough variables are added to the decision making process to come to the most sensible conclusion. So, I agree that docs have to really emphasize the risk vs benefit arguments and lead their patients there.

[AllyCat]

18. Baby got it after birth. New babies are held close

to the face, kissed, and loved on. According to a OBs where I work, there is not enough evidence to show the virus is transmitted across the placenta. We do not quarantine babies born to COVID positive mothers.

I live in Dane County and work in obstetrics. Every doc except one ( that I am aware of) is recommending their pregnant patients get the vaccine. I would say of those I have admitted, about a third have had the vaccine. I hope more take their doctors’ advice.

[phylny]

3. Exactly.

I’m holding our two-week-old granddaughter, our first grandchild. Her mother, our daughter, got vaccinated when she was told it was safe and learned what Covid could do to her and her baby. Because SCIENCE.

[GPV]

5. So happy for your family. :D

[phylny]

8. Thank you!

She was born the same day as the baby in the story. Such an avoidable tragedy.

[AllyCat]

19. Congratulations!

[MyMission]

6. Similar story here in NC

Local story here impacted me also. Sadly there are going to be more stories like these.

10 days ago a young mother died of covid after having emergency C-section at 30 weeks.
Went on ventilator after giving birth and died soon after. Baby is in NICU, no mention of covid diagnosis.

Family is not advocating for the vaccine. The brother in law is a local TV personality, which is why it made the news, and the family owns a local orchard. They say she's with Jesus.

Snip..

TV meteorologist in Upstate South Carolina says his family is seeing the worst of the ongoing pandemic, after his sister-in-law died of COVID symptoms days after giving birth in an emergency C-section.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/south-carolina/article253221153.html

[arlyellowdog]

7. 2 grandkids born to vaccinated pregnant Moms

So I have a small hope those grandkids have some Covid immunity (but relief their Moms do). This allows me to focus my freak out on the other grandkids headed to preschool this Fall. Ugh, I hate this. I so wish we could vaccinate kids. I am grateful the toddlers are good with wearing masks and understand Covid precautions. Remember, kids under 12 are where we were in February, unvaccinated and unsafe.

[Ilsa]

12. Immunities are passed during second trimester and

babies usually have higher concentrations of antibodies than their mothers:




Breastfeeding usually helps pass immunity, also.

[P-Nutt]

9. My Daughter Is Due In November

After losing her first baby a few years back, she has taken every precaution availed to her, including being vaccinated for Covid-19. She has a job that allows her to work from home, and she has chosen to do so to further protect herslf from anti-vaxxers and Maskholes.

She lives in Fenton, Mo. Just south of St. Louis. That is ground zero for the war on ignorance. I worry every day for her safety and her health. I would have never thought, in a million years, that here in America, we would be facing off against our neighbors over the scientific facts of human survival and the advancement of civilization.

How in the hell have we gotten to the point where stupidity and ignorance have gained such a foothold against science and facts?

[zuul]

16. I don't blame you for worrying.

Good thing she can work from home. I hope everything turns out okay for your family.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

10. CDC recently recommended pregnant people get the vaccine (barring other contraindications).

[GopherGal]

20. But I think that was VERY recent

like until the past week or so, (looks like the updated recc was only published Wednesday) they only had some rather wishy-washy language saying something about there being no known risks to the fetus from vaccination.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

21. Yes. I'm just adding to the conversation, not making excuses for or accusations at

the OP.

[BumRushDaShow]

23. Just recommended this past Wednesday (8/11/21)

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0811-vaccine-safe-pregnant.html

[mountain grammy]

11. Of course.. exactly the kind of life she wanted.. none.

"The hardest part is knowing Alexa made the exact kind of life she wanted," Kaitlin said. "She always wanted a family. To be a wife. To be a mother. And she was damn good at those things. I think that her legacy.

[Ilsa]

13. Blood pressure problems, clotting disorders, etc are

potential issues in pregnancy and childbirth. I would imagine it's much worse, and a likely cause of death, if the mother is symptomatic for COVID-19 at the same time.

[Pacifist Patriot]

14. Similar story here in Brevard county, FL

So tragic

[Farmer-Rick]

15. They are lucky the baby is still alive.

Covid-19 is very dangerous for infants and thousands of infants have died in Brazil from it. Though so far in the US, the variant that is spreading isn't killing babies as frequently or as quickly.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56696907

[IronLionZion]

17. CDC encourages pregnant women to get vaccinated

they've said it's perfectly safe for both, despite nonsense shared on social media.

[maxsolomon]

24. But... her family doesn't care about politics!

That deflection makes me crazy.

[Cmr2617]

26. Her father is dead

Her father is dead and has been for several years. Maybe know a situation before you speak on it. If your friend is a homophobic, racist libertarian I can guarantee it wasn’t because of his cousins “father”. It was because he is a homophobic, racist libertarian all on his own.

This is my family. She was my family. Your former friend is my family and I can tell you that your former friend is who he is without help from anyone he is or is not related to. Stop being so ignorant.

[uppityperson]

28. My condolences to your family

[Cmr2617]

29. Thank you and, with that being said...

I know the friend you’re talking about and don’t disagree with your assessment.

Well wishes to you and yours.

[HAB911]

25. thoughts and prayers