Breathtaking journey through the forest and landslide to take a pregnant woman with preeclampsia to emergency surgery

sản phụ - Ảnh 1. — People carried a hammock and took the pregnant woman through the forest to the emergency room - Photo: PHAN MINH DAN

On the afternoon of October 30, Quang Ngai provincial authorities raced against time, crossing landslides to transport a pregnant woman with severe preeclampsia from Son Tay Medical Center to the provincial Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital for emergency treatment.

At around 3:30 p.m. the same day, the Quang Ngai Department of Health received urgent information from Son Tay Medical Center about the case of pregnant woman D.TD, 38 weeks pregnant, admitted to the hospital with severe preeclampsia. The disease progressed rapidly, threatening the lives of both mother and fetus.

"The only option to save the mother is to perform an emergency cesarean section. But the road from Son Tay to the provincial center is currently very chaotic, with many locations severely eroded due to prolonged heavy rain," said Dr. Phan Minh Dan, Deputy Director of the Quang Ngai Department of Health.

Immediately after receiving the information, the provincial health sector coordinated with the police, military, traffic and local authorities to organize a special journey, overcoming nearly 100km of dangerous mountain roads to bring the patient to Quang Ngai Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital.

The forces were divided into several stages: on the road that could be traveled, the ambulance moved at maximum speed; at the landslide site, the pregnant woman was transferred on a stretcher, carried through muddy areas, slippery slopes or dense forests...

Throughout the journey, medical staff were on duty to monitor blood pressure, provide IV fluids and provide respiratory support for the mother.

sản phụ - Ảnh 2. — Everyone raced against time to save the mother - Photo: PHAN MINH DAN

"We have arranged many vehicles on standby along the route. Every time we encounter a landslide, we have to change vehicles or carry a stretcher through the forest. The rain has not stopped yet, the road is slippery, but everyone is trying their best to help the pregnant woman D. receive timely emergency care," Dr. Dan said, his voice choked.

After more than 1.5 hours of continuous travel, the rescue team brought the pregnant woman to Son Ha commune, about 40km from Quang Ngai Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. The medical team at the provincial hospital also prepared the operating room, machines, blood and human resources to be ready to receive emergency treatment as soon as the ambulance arrived.

This is not only a race against time, but also a life-saving journey amidst the flood of dozens of people who are doing their best for the safety of a mother and child in the highlands of Son Tay.

At 7:30 p.m. the same day, the leader of the Quang Ngai Province Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital said the pregnant woman had been brought to the hospital and was undergoing tests to perform surgery to remove the baby from the mother's womb.

“The situation is quite serious, we have to say that everyone is working together to try to save the mother and the fetus. We are continuing to race, trying to keep the mother and the baby safe. We can’t say anything yet,” said the hospital leader.