In coma for 7 months, woman delivers 'miracle' baby girl
A woman from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh—who's been in a coma for seven months—has given birth to a baby girl even while fighting for her life at AIIMS, New Delhi, reported India Today. She was brought to the hospital in critical condition following an accident when she was 40 days pregnant. She received initial treatment at UP and was later referred to AIIMS, New Delhi.
Months in coma, on life support
Safina, 23, has been in a coma for seven months after the accident in March. She was put on life support after her condition deteriorated, as per doctors, and even underwent four neurosurgical procedures. On October 22, she gave birth to a girl through the normal route. Interestingly, when she was 18 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound scan confirmed that her baby was healthy.
Mother unaware of delivery; has slim chances of recovery: Doctors
As Safina was in a coma, a team of doctors had to be brought into the trauma center at AIIMS, New Delhi, to deliver her baby. Due to the severity of her condition, the mother was not even aware of the birth of her daughter. According to the doctors, the woman is still unconscious and has a slim chance of recovery.
Crucial decision to save lives
Dr. Deepak Gupta, a neurosurgeon at AIIMS, Delhi, stated that during Safina's first and second trimesters, there was a lot of debate about whether to terminate or continue the pregnancy as the mother was unconscious. "As no congenital anomalies were noted in the fetus with serial level 2 ultrasound examinations, the medical team suggested the option to continue the pregnancy to family," he said.
'Family decided to continue the pregnancy'
"The decision to terminate the pregnancy in view of the mother's condition was left to the family. The family decided to continue the pregnancy... Highly uncommon. I haven't come across any such case in my 22 years of neurosurgical career at AIIMS," Dr. Gupta said.
Rare feat in India
This is one of the rarest deliveries in India, with only a couple of such cases reported in the country so far. In other countries, like the United States and the United Kingdom, many such incidents have been reported due to the advanced medical treatment available. The decision to continue with the pregnancy also depends upon the family and the condition of the fetus.
