Twelve pregnancies . . . Experiences varied . . .

Yesterday (28th April, 2012), our youngest doctor, Dr Titus was on duty. And what a duty did he ultimately end up having. . .

I'm very sure that a post-graduate in Obstetrics in a pretty big Medical School would turn green on hearing the cases Titus ended up managing yesterday. Of course, it was with active support from the others including Nandamani.

Altogether, he ended up managing 12 pregnancies . . .

I shall try to narrate the significant ones in a later post . . . Here is the list with a brief account of the history . . 

1. AB – a primi who delivered without much problem.

2. BD – another primi, but had been trying to deliver at home. Was about 9 cm dilated at arrival with Grade 2-3 Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid.

3. NDD – a primi, a bit towards the elderly side. Had been coming to us for antenatal check-ups. We had diagnosed Intra-uterine Growth Retardation quite early and referred her to Ranchi. The family could not afford the trip and tertiary consultation. We had to ultimately do a Cesarian for her. Mother and child are doing well. 

4. SB – another routine delivery without any complication.

5. BD – the first pre-eclampsia to come in. We induced her – but deleloped fetal distress in no time. Post Cesarian it turned out to be good decision as per operatively, the baby was sick.

6. AD – a G2P1L1 routine delivery,but with very anxious relatives who gave us a harrowing time.

7. SD – A G6P5L4D1 – Had been trying at home since early morning. Did not have any clue why she was not delivering. Ultimately decided to come to hospital. Reached NJH at around 10 in the night. We did not need an ultrasound to diagnose hydrocephalus. Of course, we confirmed with an ultrasound. Delivered after craniocentesis. Baby was dead. However, she was lucky to have got away with it as she could have ruptured her uterus. 

8. MD – A primi who came in with an IUD. She had been kept for normal delivery elsewhere. I wondered how someone could have missed the very obvious Inadequate Pelvis. Problems with not having followed protocols too as the patient has been in active labour for more than 16 hours. 

9. ND – the second pre-eclampsia of the day. However, ended up with an normal delivery after periods of uncertainty and anxiety.

10. SD1 – Someone we had induced. But ultimately ended up with an obstructed labour and a Cesarian section. Baby and mother turned out to be fine. Thank God for Partograms and Protocols. . 

11. GD – Very confusing history. But an ultrasound gave it away. It was an abdominal pregnancy – the sac had given way. The baby was about 20 weeks gestation. Shall do a detailed post on that later.

12. SoD – Maternal death. Did not deliver. Came with history of seizures. Had anuria, thrombocytopenia and was unconscious. Died within 4 hours of admission. We tried to ventilate but her heart would not yield to any medication. Again will give a detailed post later. 

This is the obstetric work alone. In addition, we had the sick babies getting admitted to NICU to be looked after, surgical and medicine patients needing extra attention. . . . The list goes on and on. Well, there was one more patient, UD who had come in with a history almost similar to SoD who's in the process of pulling through in the Acute Care Unit. That would also deserve a detailed post later. 

Well, ultimately friends, we need help. Looking forward for medicine and paediatric consultants along with nurses committed towards work in under-served areas.