Heartbeat of Hope: Local Team Saves Mother in Critical Obstetric Emergency

 May 19th Provence Hospital, Kushma; In a powerful testament to dedication and teamwork, a 25-year-old woman’s life was saved by a swift and skilled medical response after she was rushed to the hospital with heavy vaginal bleeding late into her pregnancy. The young mother, already a survivor of a previous cesarean section, had been experiencing an uneventful pregnancy until the early morning hours when she developed sudden and alarming bleeding—known medically as antepartum hemorrhage (APH).

Upon arrival at the hospital, she was pale and visibly anxious. The admitting team acted fast. A per-vaginal and per-speculum examination confirmed the presence of fresh bleeding. With her past cesarean history and active hemorrhage, the team immediately suspected a life-threatening complication.

Despite being in a resource-limited setting with financial constraints that ruled out referral to a higher center, the hospital staff committed to managing the situation on-site. Within minutes, an emergency cesarean section was planned.

In the sterile calm of the operating theatre, the surgical team—Dr. Hemanta Banstola and Dr. Saurav Koirala, prepared for the high-stakes delivery. Anesthesia support was led by Surya Bahadur Bam, who ensured the patient remained stable throughout the procedure. Nursing staff, including Sarswati Baral, Namita Kunwar, Alisha Gurung  Pratiksha Paudel & Dinesh kumar Shah provided crucial perioperative care. As the team navigated the risks associated with previous uterine scarring and the current bleeding, a healthy cry filled the room—a single liveborn baby was safely delivered at 38 weeks gestation.

But the battle was not over.

Soon after the birth, the patient developed postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), losing nearly 1000 ml of blood—a volume that could easily be fatal if not managed swiftly. Without delay, one pint of blood was transfused within the Operation theatre, and a condom tamponade—an innovative, low-cost life-saving technique—was inserted at 8:45 AM to control the bleeding. The operating theatre team monitored her closely as the tamponade began to stabilize her condition almost for 6 hours in the OT.

 The operating theatre was helped by Juna Basel, ensuring that everything from surgical instruments flowed seamlessly.

The patient had dutifully completed all recommended antenatal care visits—4 ANC checkups and all 8 protocol visits—demonstrating her commitment to a healthy pregnancy. That commitment, paired with the hospital team's expertise, made all the difference in this critical moment.

The delivery concluded with a healthy newborn, intact placenta and membranes, and no injury to the mother’s perineum. As she held her child for the first time, tears of relief filled her eyes. Her family, who could not afford to transfer her elsewhere, were overwhelmed with gratitude.

"This was a moment where human effort met compassion. We were determined not to give up," said one of the doctors.

This case is a beacon of what can be achieved through rapid response, creative solutions, and deep-rooted care. In settings where options are few and time is short, it is the courage and collaboration of a committed team that turns a tragedy into a miracle.

👏 Special thanks to the entire surgical, anesthetic, and nursing team whose dedication made this success possible.