For 31-year-old Ms Yang (assumed name), pregnancy has been marked by constant crises. She suffered from severe pre-eclampsia, diabetes, hypothyroidism, anaemia, and COVID-19 during the pregnancy. Moreover, after the delivery of the baby, she also suffered from postpartum depression.
Recently, thanks to the efforts of many departments at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Ms Yang have successfully given birth to a baby, and her diseases have been controlled well. With better physical and mental health, she has been discharged from the hospital.
On December 14, 2022, Ms Yang suddenly felt chest tightness, shortness of breath, and dyspnea, accompanied by elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and reduced blood oxygen saturation.
Considering the complex and critical condition of the patient, the Division of Perinatal Medicine of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital convened the Departments of Cardiology, Respiratory Medicine, Rheumatology, Emergency ICU, and Neonatal Medicine to conduct multidisciplinary consultations.
Tan Jianping, Director of the Division of Perinatal Medicine, and other experts suggested that the patient receive an immediate cesarean section, and then be taken to the EICU for treatment. Meanwhile, experts saved the newborn baby.
On the morning of December 15, with the cry of a newborn in the operating room, Ms Yang delivered the baby successfully.
After the surgery, Ms Yang was transferred to the EICU for intensive care. Professor Fang Xiaoshao from the Department of Emergency Medicine and the resident physician Wu Liangliang assessed Ms yang.
Considering that she had anasarca, capillary leakage syndrome, COVID-19, postpartum preeclampsia, nephrotic syndrome, and acute cardiac insufficiency, the hospital altered the treatment plan.
Continuous Venous-Venous-Hemodialysis (CVVH) was used to improve the symptoms of anasarca and heart failure. Anti-inflammatory hormones, immune regulation, and anti-infection measures were also conducted.
In addition, blood pressure and blood sugar control, anticoagulation, nutritional support, and stomach protection were also carried out.
After several days of multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment, Ms Yang was successfully extubated, and all indicators began to gradually improve. Her "Relay of Life" continues.
There was a high possibility that Ms Yang have systemic lupus erythematosus, Zheng Donghui, a professor from the Department of Rheumatology, found in consultation with the team. And she needed to be transferred for further treatment after her condition stabilizes.
Furthermore, Ms Yang also experienced anxiety and tension, and may suffer from postpartum depression and even suicidal tendencies.
To relieve Ms Yang's stress, Chief Physician Yang Zhengfei from the Department of Emergency Medicine, asked the nursing staff to give her psychological counselling, and guided her husband and parents to learn effective communication methods to help the patient recover from postpartum depression as soon as possible.
Thankfully, the newborn's condition was gradually improving. After treatment by NICU medical staff, the baby's vital signs were stable, whose weight rose to 1.4 kg, and was not infected with COVID-19. The good news greatly calmed Ms Yang.
With the cooperation of the multidisciplinary team of the hospital, Ms Yang's various indicators improved steadily, as well as her mental state. She was successfully transferred from the EICU to the Department of Rheumatology.
Currently, Ms Yang and her baby are in stable condition and have been discharged from the hospital.
Author | Hannah, He Yang (intern)
Editor | Wing, Nan, Will, James
