From Gaity to Nightmare- Who is responsible???

Posted by : Unknown 28 Jul 2015

Manoj (who is the guitarist of One of the Nepal's famous Band 1974 A.D.) patiently waited outside the "female only" delivery room. He had just learnt that his wife, Prerana had finally entered into labor. Unable to hold back the joy of having his first child to himself, he texted out the news to one close friend. But immediately he began receiving congratulatory messages from all over the town.

However, it only took an instant for Manoj's greatest moment of joy to turn into his darkest nightmare. He would soon find out that his mother-to-be wife, who had been admitted to hospital in sound health for regular delivery, had breathed her last.

The grief that Manoj is living through has become a reflection of the dark reality of our society. It is an irony that despite all the claims that Nepal has made significant progress in ensuring maternal health, a mother who is completely informed and capable in all respects, who is in sound health, and has access to all health facilities is compelled to such an unjustified death.

Having a child was never an immediate priority for Prerana and Manoj. Among other things, they wanted to have a place of their own first. But two years into the marriage, they began getting pressure from friends and relatives and they finally caved in.

"We learnt about her pregnancy last Dashain," says Manoj. "Based on the advice of many of our friends, we decided to consult OB/GYN specialist Dr. Alka Singh."

Dr. Singh worked in Sumeru Hospital near their home and also at the Patan Hospital where they were planning to have the delivery.

"From the day we found out she was pregnant, we were very regular with the check-ups and ensured that we did everything as per the doctor's advice. There were no issues at all. Even the doctor would comment how Prerana was beginning to glow as she progressed with her pregnancy."

Then on April 25, the earthquake struck, which made both a bit nervous. This made Prerana seriously consider undergoing a caesarian section to deliver the baby, but the doctor refused this option outright.

"There were no complications during Prerana's pregnancy," says Dr. Singh. "In such cases, we always advise natural delivery. And that is exactly what I did." She also suggested natural delivery over caesarian as the former takes relatively less time for the mother to recover post-delivery.

On the 7th of June, Prerana told Manoj that she was not feeling the baby's movement inside her. They rushed to Sumeru Hospital where Dr Singh informed them that the time for delivery was very near and advised them to get Prerana admitted to Patan Hospital. But before they left, she asked them to perform the final ultrasound. The ultrasound report showed new information which was not known in previous examinations. The report revealed that the baby was entangled in its umbilical cord. The doctor's note declared it as "minor". She told them that this would not affect the delivery in any way.

Manoj remembers that he felt a chill pass through his body at that particular moment and recalls requesting Dr. Singh for the caesarian option. The doctor refused his request.

Prerana was admitted to Patan Hospital that night. The next day, when the regular doctor was making her rounds, Manoj and Prerana reiterated their request to go for caesarian delivery, but they were once again refused. Around 4 pm that day, Prerana was given medicine to help induce labor. But since she did not respond to the medicine, she was given another dosage at 10 pm. The labor pain finally started around midnight. But they were completely unaware about the dosage that was administered the second time, and about its potential effects.

Prerana's labor pain was increasing as Kathmandu woke up to another morning. She was shifted into the delivery room at around 5 am. While Manoj had just texted one of his friends about the joyful moment, he began receiving scores of messages from his friends and well-wishers. Right then, he saw a newborn being carried out of the room. A machine was used to aid its respiration.

"All I saw was the baby's black hair, and I really couldn't tell whose baby it was," remembers Manoj, "but I felt a strange feeling of attachment towards it."

Manoj peeked into the delivery room, searching for any signs of what was happening there, but could only see his sister and his mother-in-law. But around him, he heard people's murmurs, about the newborn baby who could not breathe because his throat was entangled in the umbilical cord. As Manoj waited, the nurses took the baby to put inside ventilator.

At around 8:30, Manoj received a message he had least expected to hear.

Due to excessive bleeding, the doctors had decided to remove Prerana's uterus as a life-saving operation. Dr Singh, who was inside the delivery room, informed him that the operation was imperative to save Prerana. By this time, it had already dawned on Manoj that the baby he had seen earlier was his.

One the one hand, he was not in the condition to decide what action he could take. On the other hand, the doctors were pressuring him to sign off the operation on Prerana.

"If I didn't agree on Prerana's operation, it would only mean putting her life in danger," Manoj recalls his dilemma then. "But as I wasn't sure about the chances of my newly born son's survival, agreeing to the operation could mean that I would forever prevent Prerana the chance of having another child. And how would I explain that to her?"

He went over to the operation room; he saw Prerana lying unconscious. She had an oxygen mask over her face.

"At that moment I felt that I want Prerana at all cost," says Manoj. "And I approved the operation."

The doctors began operating in the OT; outside there was a mad rush for the supply of blood.

But a little while later, there was unexpected news that Prerana's heart had stopped. Manoj felt his world go dark.

"Just then a doctor informed that they were continuing to work on Prerana," continues Manoj, "which brought a ray of hope."

After some time of mixed information, Manoj was finally led into the operation theatre. And at that particular moment, Manoj felt his world collapse. "I could see Prerana's body there, but she wasn't there!" Unable to hold back, Manoj let out a loud cry. Little does he remember of that moment. As they pushed the trolley that held her lifeless body, all he could do was to follow it in tears.

We are taught since the younger classes that Poverty, Illiteracy, Lack of Awareness on Maternal Health. Talking about the Poverty, both the singer and his wife belonged to well - managed family

Illiteracy; Manoj and Prerana both were well educated. Prerana herself was working JICA, (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

They were both very aware and conscious about the maternal health. Prerana was always under the strict observation of OB/GYN specialist Dr. Alka Singh.

So what can be the cause of this maternal death????? This remains totally answered.

A lady who was well educated, enough rich; living in the capital of the country died during the maternity. Doctors approved her safe and sound till the time she was taken inside the delivery room then what suddenly caused her death.

Government claims that Nepal has made tremendous progress in the area of safe motherhood. Can we really agree to it??? We are taught from a younger age that Illiteracy, Poverty, Lack of Awareness are the causes of maternal deaths.. I guess it's time to add something more to it.

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Content&Photo Credits: Junu Bhujel