QuestionDid the babies coming out in those incidents you were involved in come out healthy? How do you feel when a patient comes in with cramps only to give birth? I am curious now!
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Followup To
Question -
Age: 35
Children: none
Last period: May 28
I was watching a real-life ER program on television and, in one episode, this woman came in with very severe cramps.
She laid down on the emergency table as the doctor investigated. Moments later, a baby came out. The woman never knew she was pregnant. Despite that, the baby (female) came out perfectly healthy.
Is it really possible that a healthy baby can come out of someone who, presumably, NEVER had any prenatal attention during the surprise pregnancy?
It was cute and the sudden mother did accept her daughter too.
Answer -
I know it is hard to believe, but I have had many patients who showed up in the emergency room with complaints of stomach cramps and then, within minutes, delivered a full term baby. They often are heavy women who thought that they merely put on weight. Most are teenagers who were scared. Some admit that they know they were pregnant. However, it happens more often than I'd like to remember. Most of the time, they do have the pains of labor.
AnswerMiraculously, the babies were all healthy. However, we usually recommend antenatal care to all pregnant women. There are lots of things that can go wrong during pregnancy: Diabetes, hypertension, seizure disorders, bleeding, failure of the baby to grow, intrauterine growth restriction, chromosomal disease, etc. HOwever, luckily, these babies did very well. As an obstetrician, I take care of anybody who shows up. I was happy to help. Sometimes it is difficult to have to call her mother and explain what has happened. I had one mother who passed out on the phone when I told her that her daughter came to the hospital with cramps and delivered a baby.
