OB-GYN Analyzes Newborn Deaths in Novokuznetsk Hospital
From January 1 to 11, nine newborns died in Maternity Hospital No. 1 in Novokuznetsk. The institution was temporarily closed for quarantine due to exceeding the threshold for respiratory infections. A criminal case has been initiated over the incident. Journalists from 51.RU turned to obstetrician-gynecologist and founder of the project «Medveditsa. New Generation of Mothers» Natalia Berezhnaya to understand what could have led to the tragedy and how it can be prevented in the future.
Such tragedies are a signal from the system
«This is not one error, but a chain of factors. Such tragedies are a harsh reminder that the path from pregnancy to the birth of a healthy child is a shared responsibility of the healthcare system, the medical community, and society,» says Natalia.
She adds that the key to safety is a respectful partnership between doctor and patient, based on trust, attention to detail, and informed consent.
According to the specialist, most often, a sad outcome results from a combination of several factors. Among them are complications of pregnancy and childbirth, such as asphyxia or consequences of extreme prematurity, severe intrauterine infections, and congenital anomalies.
Intrauterine infections can directly threaten the child«s life or provoke premature birth. Particularly dangerous are TORCH infections, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia, and group B streptococcus, which is common in healthy women but can be deadly for a newborn.
Many infections in the mother are asymptomatic. A woman may feel completely healthy, but bacteria or viruses cross the placenta and affect the child. Therefore, planned screening, attentive doctor«s observation, and timely diagnosis of indirect signs on ultrasound are so important.
Systemic healthcare problems
The doctor emphasizes that tragedies are exacerbated by a lack of specialists and overwork of doctors. «When a doctor in a women«s clinic is overworked, they physically have no time for a careful conversation, analysis of complaints, detailed information. When there is no neonatologist-resuscitator in the maternity hospital, it»s already a direct risk to life,» she says.
Inaccessibility of childbirth accompaniment by a close person, shortage of equipment, social and environmental factors—all this directly affects the health of mother and child.
According to Natalia, the culture of care in maternity hospitals is directly linked to safety.
How tragedies can be prevented
Natalia Berezhnaya is convinced that tragedies can be prevented by changing the approach to pregnancy and childbirth management. The doctor emphasizes the importance of pregnancy planning, attentive management of each woman considering individual characteristics, strict infection screening, support for breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth. It is equally important to provide the woman with the opportunity to have a chosen partner accompany the birth.
It is also critical to invest in the staffing and equipment of maternity hospitals, implement modern perinatal technologies, and develop a culture of trust between the patient, doctor, and authorities.
The tragedy in Novokuznetsk should become a rallying point for systemic changes. «The main resource of the country is women and children. Their well-being should be protected not only by the doctor but by the state,» says the obstetrician-gynecologist.
