Miracle birth while sedated, on ventilator for Covid-19
Sedated and on a ventilator, Nokuthula Gumede fought for her life in the Netcare Kingsway Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) for three weeks, during which time her baby boy had to be delivered by caesarean section on July 17.
She has no memory of her time under sedation, nor of the birth of her baby. Her first words when she came around from sedation were: “Where is my baby?”
The Amanzimtoti mother was discharged from hospital with her baby on August 21.
She was 36 weeks pregnant when she developed severe Covid-19 complications requiring weeks in intensive care.
“Ms Gumede was in a serious condition and developed several complications, including a deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot, in her right leg, during her weeks in ICU, so she made a truly remarkable recovery which the staff at the hospital are all celebrating,” said Netcare Kingsway Hospital general manager Anna Demetriou.
Demetriou said when Gumede was taken off ventilation, she was so overwhelmed with everything that had happened, that she was extremely emotional and crying uncontrollably.
Gumede went to the hospital on July 13 and was immediately admitted for a suspected Covid19 infection. A diagnosis was confirmed the following day.
Pulmonologist Dr Sabeer Abdool Gaffar said she had been coughing and suffering from shortness of breath.
“X-rays revealed Covid-19related pneumonia in both lungs and she was admitted to the hospital’s ICU and placed on a ventilator to support her breathing,” Netcare said on Tuesday. “According to Dr Gaffar, Ms Gumede’s condition deteriorated rapidly over the next couple of days. Dr Gaffar, gynaecologist Dr Nitasha Magan and nephrologist Dr Priyesh Mody consulted and together concluded that the baby would have to be delivered immediately via caesarean section to save the mother’s life.”
Demetriou said the baby, who was delivered four weeks early, thrived in the neonatal ICU.
“Ms Gumede’s eldest daughter, Anele Samkelisiwe, committed to keeping her little brother well and took him under her wing while her mother was ill. She spent many hours with him in hospital, bonding and getting to know his intricate habits,” she said.
Gaffar said though Gumede was still weak, undergoing physiotherapy and using a walking stick, she continues to recover strongly.
She will remain on a blood thinning medication to reduce the risk of her suffering more blood clots. —
The baby, who was delivered four weeks early, thrived in the neonatal ICU
Though Gumede was still weak, undergoing physiotherapy and using a walking stick, she continues to recover strongly