Timely Intervention at Gleneagles BGS Hospital Saves Young Mother from Critical Childbirth Complications
Bengaluru : Doctors at Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri successfully saved the life of a 29-year-old woman who developed severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a life-threatening obstetric emergency cause by excessive bleeding after childbirth.
The patient, who had a previous cesarean history, was rushed to the hospital at around 34 weeks of pregnancy with heavy vaginal bleeding. Upon arrival, she was in a critical condition, and an emergency ultrasound revealed an intrauterine fetal demise.
Given the severity of her condition, the medical team immediately proceeded with an emergency caesarean section. As the patient’s husband was abroad at the time, doctors conducted an emergency video consultation with the family to explain the clinical situation and the potential need for life-saving interventions.
During surgery, Dr. Sowmya KN, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology and her team identified a rare complication known as a Couvelaire uterus, caused by severe placental abruption, a condition in which the placenta separates prematurely from the uterine wall before delivery. The patient also developed severe atonic postpartum hemorrhage, resulting in massive blood loss.
Despite nearly an hour of intensive medical and surgical efforts to control the bleeding, including uterotonic medications and other interventions, the hemorrhage persisted. As she began showing signs of hemorrhagic shock and multi-organ stress, the team took the critical decision to perform an emergency hysterectomy to control the bleeding and save her life.
Following the procedure, the patient was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she received ventilatory support, multiple blood transfusions, and continuous critical care monitoring. Her condition gradually stabilized over the next 24 hours, and she was successfully weaned off ventilator support. Under the care of a multidisciplinary team, she continued to recover steadily and was subsequently discharged in a stable condition.
Speaking about the case, Dr Sowmya Sangamesh, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, said, “Postpartum hemorrhage incidence in India is 6% after C-section, contributing to 19.9% of maternal mortality. In this case, the patient arrived with multiple challenges and her condition deteriorated rapidly during surgery. While every effort is always made to preserve the uterus, there are situations where a hysterectomy becomes the only option to save a mother’s life. Early recognition, quick decision-making, access to blood products, critical care support and teamwork across specialties made all the difference in this patient’s recovery.”
Mr. Ravi Bagali, COO, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru, said, “Maternal emergencies can escalate unexpectedly and require immediate intervention. This case highlights the importance of having experienced specialists, critical care teams and emergency infrastructure available round the clock. We remain committed to ensuring that patients receive timely and comprehensive care during even the most challenging medical situations.”
