In December 2023, Đ.T.T.H., a 44-year-old Canadian-Vietnamese woman, returned to Vietnam with her husband to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) after struggling to conceive. Although the pregnancy was successful, her journey was fraught with challenges, including a gestational diabetes diagnosis and life-threatening complications.
A Life-and-Death Battle Just Before Tết
By the 35th week of pregnancy, H.’s health began to deteriorate rapidly. She experienced symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, prolonged fatigue, poor appetite, fever, and persistent nausea for three days. On January 23 (the 24th day of the Lunar New Year), she visited an international hospital, suspecting a viral infection. However, blood tests revealed severe preeclampsia—HELLP syndrome—accompanied by multi-organ failure.
She was immediately transferred to a specialized obstetrics hospital. There, doctors performed an emergency C-section just three hours after admission. Fortunately, the twin babies were born healthy. However, the mother’s condition remained critical. She became disoriented, suffered from abdominal distension, acute liver and kidney failure, severe coagulopathy, and dangerously low platelet counts.
Given the severity of her condition, H. was urgently referred to Gia Dinh People’s Hospital on January 24 for advanced care.
Seamless Collaboration Among Medical Teams
At the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, H. received aggressive treatment, including plasma exchange to address acute liver failure, correction of disseminated intravascular coagulation, and continuous renal replacement therapy. After seven days of intensive care, her condition stabilized. Her organ functions nearly returned to normal, her consciousness improved, and she regained the ability to eat and care for herself.
Dr. Giang Minh Nhật, Deputy Head of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, explained that preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder associated with pregnancy, typically occurring after the 20th week. The risk significantly increases for older pregnant women. Among severe cases, 10-20% progress to HELLP syndrome, which causes hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.
The maternal mortality rate for HELLP syndrome can reach 10%, while neonatal mortality ranges from 10-25%. If complications like acute liver or kidney failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation occur, the maternal mortality risk may rise to 50%.
Thanks to the swift and precise collaboration among the Obstetrics, Emergency, Cardiology, and Neonatology teams, the medical staff at Gia Dinh People’s Hospital saved H.’s life, reuniting her with her family.
Overflowing Joy Amidst Recovery
After ten days in the hospital, H. finally met her two precious babies. This joy was especially poignant as it occurred during the Lunar New Year celebrations—delayed but deeply meaningful.
H.’s story is a testament to the resilience of mothers and underscores the importance of prenatal care, particularly for older women. It also serves as a valuable reminder for expectant mothers: always listen to your body and seek timely medical assistance when needed.
Source: dantri.com.vn
