The 690g Baby

     There is no emergency in a pandemic. I am covering COVID-19 in pregnancy for this one whole week. Yesterday we had one pregnant lady, 26 weeker who went into labour in our COVID-19 antenatal isolation room. She was initially admitted for leaking liqour with no contraction pain. Yesterday morning, she complained of strong contraction pain and she was attended immediately by my nurse after wearing her full PPE. At the same time, the nurse had called me for help. Upon attending by my nurse, noted that the "opening" was already full and patient was ready for bearing down. After wearing my full PPE, as soon as I arrived in the antenatal isolation ward, the baby was just been delivered. After cord clamp, I immediately brought the baby to the warmer.

    Baby was limped and floppy. Being the only doctor inside, I resuscitated the baby while awaiting for the Paediatric team to arrive. Just for info, all of us went through neonatal resuscitation training when we were a houseman in Paediatric posting. For me, it was 5 years ago. The baby was so tiny, size of my two palms. Later on, I learnt that the baby was 690g only.

     It was a big relieved when I saw the paediatric consultant arrived outside the isolation area. While presenting the case to her, she asked me to continue bagging first. The resuscitation was later took over by the Paeds medical officer. By that time, the baby's condition had already improved. She apologized to me for the delay and told me that she had already rushed here. I told her that it is ok, I understand that all of us need to wear the full PPE first and that took up some times.

    This is one of the situation where there is no emergency in a pandemic. We can't do everything immediately. So when we call for help, deep inside our heart we know that the help will only arrive in a while. We are being told to protect ourselves first before saving the patients. Do not rush into the isolation wards without a full PPE. 

    Usually when we call for help from paediatric team's help, they will arrive as soon as possible. They will run for the baby's life. Within a few seconds, u will see them appeared in front of you. However, not in this pandemic. No one could have thought that the patient will deliver the baby so fast in view of she has no contraction pain. 

    I was taken aback by the incident. However, after doing some reflection with my nurses, I told them, we had already done our best. I thanked them for the teamworks. The baby is extremely premature. Hopefully, the baby will survive well with the least health issue in future.