CARE Hospitals carries out high risk IVF delivery

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

In a rare and complex case, doctors at CARE Hospitals, Hitech City successfully managed a high-risk IVF pregnancy complicated by severe rheumatic heart disease, ensuring the safety of both mother and baby, an outcome considered challenging in medical practice. Ms. Shalini (Name changed), a 47-year-old woman, presented to the emergency department at 31 weeks and 3 days of pregnancy with severe breathlessness and persistent cough that did not respond to routine medication. 

This was an unbooked IVF conception, placing her at exceptionally high risk. Given her symptoms, doctors suspected an underlying cardiac condition. The patient was immediately shifted to critical care and stabilized with intensive medical management, including diuretics blood transfusions. Despite the seriousness of her condition, the pregnancy was successfully continued from 31 to nearly 35 weeks under close monitoring. 

After meticulous planning and informed consent, an elective Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) was performed (34 weeks and 4 days) to minimize cardiac stress. The baby was born preterm but stable, cried immediately after birth, and was monitored in the NICU for 4–5 days before being discharged in good health. The mother remained stable before being shifted to the ward. 

Dr. Abhinaya Alluri, Senior Consultant - Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon, Infertility Specialist, CARE Hospitals, Hitech City mentioned that pregnancy in women with severe rheumatic heart disease is one of the most challenging situations in obstetrics. Dr. Ashutosh Kumar , Clinical Director Cardiology & Electrophysiology (EP) suggested that late pregnancies are increasingly common and often associated with conditions like hypertension and diabetes.