In eastern Congo, some pregnant women are increasingly avoiding hospitals because of fears surrounding a rapidly growing Ebola outbreak, according to multiple reports. As a result, more women are dying around the time of childbirth outside healthcare facilities. The accounts describe growing concern that fear of infection and distrust or misunderstanding about Ebola risks are reducing attendance for maternity care. Officials and health workers cited in the coverage indicate that the outbreak is affecting not only people who are diagnosed with Ebola, but also those who require routine emergency services such as delivery and management of pregnancy complications. The reports describe a pattern of preventable deaths linked to delays in seeking care, as women choose to stay away from hospitals rather than travel for labour and delivery. While the articles focus on the deaths of pregnant women and the role of hospital avoidance, they do not present a detailed breakdown of numbers or specific causes in each case. Overall, the coverage highlights how Ebola-related fear and access issues are worsening maternal health outcomes during the outbreak.