Once lost but now gain

Return again after another emergency C-section at 9pm. It was a woman living far away in a village and was brought in by another NGO this evening. She had twin pregnancy with labour for three days. The baby was caught up. They thought it was a breech presentation. Philip did an USG and confirmed that it was twin pregnancy but with both vertex presentation (head down position) but we could not identify the foetal hearts. Vaginal examination revealed a compound presentation with one baby's head and hand lodged, together with heavy meconium stained. We used the Doppler and could only find the second twin's heart beat. We suspected that the first twin had died and the second was alive. We immediately went for a C-section. I took the first baby out. The baby cried after a big clap on his buttock. When I took the second out, she cried loudly. We were so happy. Both babies are alive, very healthy, one boy and one girl. Philip presented them to their father after operation . It was my ninth C-section here and my first one for two live twins. I would have double celebration on that. I met their father when we carried the mother out of the theatre to the ward. I saw him cradling the twin, one on each arm. He was so joyful. This was the woman's fourth pregnancy, one dead two alive. This time, she had two for the lost one. Back to the ward, everyone came to congratulate the father. He was very happy and grateful. That's the reason why Philip has done on seventeen missions in the last ten years. I don't know how these women could stand all these pain and suffering. I guess it is LOVE. It also reconfirms that MSF is doing the right thing to improve the maternity care here. If not, most of our patients may end up with complications or die. With the collaboration of other NGOs, I hope more mothers and families may benefit. Au Yiu Kai