Woman Told Baby Was Dead, Then Gives Birth to Healthy Boy
In Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, a 24-year-old pregnant woman was wrongly informed by a government hospital that her unborn child had died. However, after seeking a second opinion at a private facility, the baby was found to be healthy. She later delivered a healthy baby boy through a caesarean section. The case has sparked public outrage and a formal inquiry into the matter.
Labour Begins and Referral Due to High-Risk Pregnancy
Durga Dwivedi, a resident of Chakera village in Rampur Baghelan, began experiencing labour pains during the early hours of July 15–16. Around 2 a.m., she was taken to Amarpatan Civil Hospital, accompanied by an ASHA worker. Because of her high-risk pregnancy, she was quickly referred to the District Hospital in Satna, where she arrived around 7:30 a.m.
No Heartbeat Detected: Doctors Declare Baby Dead
Upon arrival at the district hospital, the medical team began routine checks. A Doppler test was carried out around 9 a.m. to detect the baby’s heartbeat, followed by an ultrasound scan. Unfortunately, both tests reportedly failed to find any heartbeat or fetal movement. Based on these results, doctors concluded that the fetus had died in the womb and advised the family to proceed with a medication-induced abortion.
Family Refuses Abortion, Seeks Private Confirmation
Durga and her husband Rahul Dwivedi were not convinced by the diagnosis. Despite being told the fetus was not alive, they felt something wasn’t right. “We couldn’t accept it without being sure,” Rahul said in a media statement.
Choosing not to proceed with the abortion, they visited a private diagnostic centre in Bharhutnagar for another ultrasound. There, to their surprise, the fetus was found to be alive and in good health, with a detectable heartbeat.
Healthy Delivery at Private Nursing Home
Following the reassuring scan results, Durga was quickly shifted to a private hospital. A fresh evaluation confirmed normal fetal development and vital signs. Acting promptly, the medical team performed a C-section, resulting in the birth of a healthy baby boy weighing 3.5 kilograms. Both mother and baby were reported to be in stable condition.
Inquiry Ordered
The incident has triggered an official investigation into potential negligence at the government-run hospital. Senior doctors involved in the case, including a radiologist and a gynaecologist, have come under scrutiny.
Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. L.K. Tiwari confirmed that the district health authorities were informed of the case on the morning of July 16. “We have asked the Dean of the Medical College and the Civil Surgeon to conduct a detailed inquiry. If any professional lapses are found, necessary disciplinary action will follow,” he stated.
Questions Raised About Diagnostic Reliability
Hospital authorities acknowledged that neither the Doppler test nor the ultrasound showed signs of fetal life during the initial assessment. While the exact reason for the diagnostic failure remains unclear, the case highlights serious concerns about the reliability of prenatal testing in public healthcare facilities.
Conclusion
This case serves as a powerful reminder of how critical a second medical opinion can be, especially when the decision involves terminating a pregnancy. Had the couple followed the original advice, a healthy baby might have been lost unnecessarily.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
