For several months, the life of a 31-year-old woman staying in a hospital in Legnica was supported by equipment just to save the life of her child. A woman in early pregnancy suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. The girl has just been discharged from the hospital.
Doctors from the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Legnica announced their success on Thursday evening. The baby was born two months ago, but has only now been discharged home.
A unique case
The whole story began in the middle of last year, when a 31-year-old woman in early pregnancy was admitted to hospital with a ruptured brain aneurysm.
It was no longer possible to save the woman, but the doctors, in consultation with her family, decided to do everything to save the child. – This principle has already been adopted in Polish obstetric gynecology that if there is a chance to save the fetus or child, it is saved regardless of the mother's condition. This is not the only case in Lower Silesia, but one of the few – says Wojciech Kowalik, head of the Neonatology Department with the Intensive Care Unit for Premature Babies, Newborns and Children.
The woman was connected to specialized equipment supporting her body's vital functions and was under constant supervision by a team of doctors in the field of gynecology, cardiology and neonatology. For several months she stayed in the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care and was placed in a medically induced coma.
– She was consulted every day, and CTG was performed every day to assess the well-being of the fetus – Kowalik enumerates.
Provincial Specialist Hospital in LegnicaTVN24
She was born prematurely
The baby was born in the 30th week of pregnancy, which is quite early. – The decision was made to end the pregnancy with a cesarean section because there was an intrauterine infection and labor contractions began – explains Kowalik.
The girl weighed 1,550 grams at birth. She was born in a state of asphyxia, with respiratory failure, but thanks to intensive neonatal care she quickly regained strength. – The child was mechanically ventilated for only eight days, then she received non-invasive respiratory support for several days – says Kowalik.
She was fed parenterally for the first dozen or so days, but she developed without any major complications. – The child actually survived without any major complications – says Kowalik.
– There was great joy from the grandparents and dad, who came to the ward earlier and supported us – says Beata
After two months, the girl was discharged from the hospital in good condition. – Unfortunately, the mother died as expected – concludes Kowalik.
Main photo source: TVN24