23/08/2026
WHEN A ROUTINE OBSTETRIC DELIVERY SUDDENLY BECOMES A LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY!
A woman with one previous LSCS presented in labour, with a very thin previous scar (~2 mm). An emergency repeat LSCS was performed. The baby was delivered, the uterus was well contracted, and the surgery was completed initially without apparent difficulty.
Initially, surgery was completed satisfactorily with good uterine tone. However, persistent vaginal bleeding with clots was noted afterward.
Despite medications, vaginal packing, blood arrangement and stepwise surgical measures including vessel ligation, the bleeding continued.
Considering the ongoing blood loss, the decision was taken to re-explore the abdomen without delay.
During re-exploration, all appropriate stepwise haemostatic measures were attempted
But the haemorrhage persisted.
At that moment, there was one priority above everything else:
SAVE THE MOTHER’S LIFE.
After explaining the situation and taking appropriate consent from the patient’s attendants, a subtotal hysterectomy was performed as a life-saving procedure.
Following surgery:
✅ Bleeding was controlled
✅ Patient was successfully extubated
✅ Vital signs remained stable
✅ Patient was shifted for further monitoring in a stable condition
In obstetrics, emergencies can develop within minutes. Sometimes, despite every effort to preserve the uterus, saving the mother’s life has to become the highest priority.
Hysterectomy in PPH is not a failure. It is sometimes the final and necessary step when other methods cannot control life-threatening bleeding.🩸
What is painful is that even after saving a life, doctors may face threats, abusive language, accusations of inexperience, and mob pressure.
Patients and families absolutely have the right to:
• Ask questions
• Understand what happened
• Seek explanations
• Obtain medical records
• Seek another medical opinion
But respectful communication must remain essential on both sides.
We completely understand and respect the family’s fear, anxiety and concern for their patient. Anyone would be frightened seeing their loved one in an emergency.
But please remember — the treating doctor is also fighting for the same person.
We do not want anything to happen to our patient.
We want to give the best possible treatment, take the safest decision available at that moment and bring the patient back safely to her family.
🌼 Doctors and patient attendants are not opponents. We are on the same side — the patient’s life.
Unfortunately, even after managing such a critical situation, healthcare professionals may hear statements such as:
💔 “You are inexperienced.”
Experience should not be judged by age, appearance or assumptions. It should be judged by the ability to recognize an emergency, act without unnecessary delay, escalate treatment appropriately and make difficult decisions when every minute matters.
📌 A complication does not automatically mean negligence.
📌 An emergency does not automatically mean inexperience.
📌 A life-saving hysterectomy in uncontrolled haemorrhage is not a failure — sometimes it is exactly what saves the mother.
Patients and families have every right to ask questions, seek explanations and understand the treatment given. Healthcare professionals equally deserve respect, dignity and a safe environment to work.
🌷 “In an emergency, every minute counts — and sometimes courage means making the decision nobody wanted, but the patient needed.”
🙏 Respect the patient.
🙏 Respect the family.
🙏 Respect the healthcare team.
Before judging the doctor, understand the emergency.
🌸 “DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.” 🌸
Sometimes the hardest decision is the decision that saves a life.
Heartfelt gratitude to the Anaesthesia team,Amit ChaudharyManendra ShahOT staff, nurses,Zevina Mjn Chhetriblood bank team and every supporting hand who stayed alert, worked calmly under pressure and helped us at every step.
When every minute mattered, it was teamwork, coordination and timely action that helped save the patient’s life.
