Mask-wearing during labor to prevent infection stirs debate

The requirement by many hospitals in Japan that women wear face masks while in labor to prevent coronavirus transmission has stirred debate among new mothers online, with some saying it was distressing while others argue it is essential to reduce infection risks.Health experts say mask-wearing during delivery poses no danger of oxygen deprivation to mother and child -- one of the concerns raised by critics. But some suggest medical facilities should take a more flexible approach by recognizing the additional stress imposed by the pandemic on parturient women.In mid-July, an online conversat…READ FULL ARTICLE