Woman Told Unborn Child Was Dead Delivers Healthy Baby After Second Scan

A 24-year-old woman in Madhya Pradesh was told her unborn child had died, only to deliver a healthy baby boy after seeking a second opinion. The incident has sparked an official investigation into potential medical negligence at the district hospital where she received her initial care.

Durga Dwivedi, a resident of Chakera village in Rampur Baghelan, first sought medical attention at the Amarpatan Civil Hospital in the early hours of July 15, 2023, due to labour pains. By 4 am, her high-risk pregnancy prompted a referral to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Government District Hospital in Satna. Upon arrival at approximately 7:30 am, routine blood tests were conducted.

By 9 am, a senior resident doctor performed a Doppler examination but did not detect a fetal heartbeat. A subsequent sonography showed no fetal movement, leading the medical team to declare the fetus deceased. Based on these findings, the doctors recommended a medication-induced abortion.

Durga’s husband, Rahul Dwivedi, expressed skepticism about the diagnosis. “Despite being told there was no heartbeat, we felt we had to be sure before taking any step. We decided to get another scan done privately,” he explained to local media.

The couple then visited a diagnostic centre in Bharhutnagar, where a new sonography revealed that the baby was alive and healthy. Durga was quickly transferred to a private nursing home, where she underwent a caesarean section and delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 3.5 kilograms.

Doctors at the private facility conducted a repeat sonography upon her arrival, confirming all vital signs and growth indicators were normal. They proceeded with the delivery without complications.

This unexpected turn of events has led to an official inquiry into the actions of the district hospital staff. Medical authorities at the maternity wing acknowledged that the fetal heartbeat had not been detected in their initial assessments. “Both the Doppler and the sonography showed no heartbeat, which is why the fetus was declared dead,” stated the doctors at the government hospital.

Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr L K Tiwari confirmed that the incident came to light on the morning of July 19, 2023. “A letter has been sent to the Dean of the Medical College and the Civil Surgeon. A detailed inquiry will be conducted, and strict action will be taken if any lapse is found,” he stated.

According to hospital sources, three doctors have been identified in the internal investigation, including a senior resident in radiology and a senior resident in gynecology. The findings of the inquiry will be closely monitored as families continue to rely on medical professionals for accurate diagnoses in critical situations.