Hospital Explains Mother's Death During Childbirth, Rare Condition
A 32-year-old woman died during emergency childbirth at Lee Hospital on August 17, with her newborn also not surviving; the hospital attributes the death to a rare condition occurring in roughly 1 in 80,000 births and says all medical proto
Lee Hospital has explained the cause of death of a 32-year-old woman who died during childbirth along with her newborn son. The hospital states this condition is extremely rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 80,000 births, and confirms all possible medical assistance was provided.
The case involved a 32-year-old woman in her second pregnancy who had attended 15 prenatal checkups at Huay Thom Health Center and Lee Hospital, classified as low-risk pregnancy with no complications detected during evaluations. On August 17, she was admitted for scheduled labor at 40 weeks and 1 day of gestation. At 11:30 AM, initial assessment showed irregular uterine contractions every 7 minutes and fetal heart rate of 142 beats per minute. Internal examination revealed 1 centimeter cervical dilation. The obstetrician assessed no risk of cephalopelvic disproportion and determined vaginal delivery was possible.
Labor-promoting medication was administered with continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate, uterine contractions, and vital signs. At 6 PM, cervical dilation was 3 centimeters; at 8:30 PM, 6 centimeters; at 9:30 PM, 9 centimeters; and at 10 PM, 10 centimeters with spontaneous rupture of membranes showing normal amniotic fluid. Maternal vital signs and fetal heart rate remained normal throughout.
Thirty minutes into the pushing stage, no progress was observed and fetal heart rate began to slow. The obstetrician decided to perform emergency cesarean section. While preparing for surgery, the mother developed chest tightness, anxiety, and shortness of breath but remained conscious and alert. Blood pressure and blood oxygen levels decreased. The obstetrician assessed this as maternal emergency during labor and administered oxygen and intravenous fluids. The mother reached the operating room within 30 minutes, meeting standard protocols.
The mother's consciousness declined and blood oxygen dropped further, requiring the anesthesiologist to place an endotracheal tube immediately and administer intravenous fluids. Blood oxygen and blood pressure normalized. Surgery began at 11:13 PM and the infant was delivered at 11:16 PM. During surgery, the mother experienced cardiac arrest. The medical and nursing team performed continuous resuscitation with medications and fluids to stimulate vital signs but also discovered uterine atony.
The newborn was assessed by a pediatrician and showed severe oxygen deprivation, no crying, no breathing, flaccid muscles, dark coloration, and no audible heartbeat. The Apgar score was zero. Medical and nursing teams performed continuous neonatal resuscitation but the infant did not respond and resuscitation efforts were discontinued.
