A newborn delivered by cesarean section was injured by a surgical knife during the operation, which was revealed on the 29th through an online community. Photo by Online Community Capture.
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] A story about parents discovering a cut on their newborn's head caused by a cesarean section has sparked controversy.
On the 29th, a post titled "Baby's head was cut by a scalpel" was uploaded to an online community. The author, Mr. A, stated that he gave birth to his daughter via cesarean section at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Gyeonggi-do on the 23rd.
Mr. A said, "My daughter was born at 9:31 a.m. with almost no vernix, looking as fresh as a baby who just had a bath," adding, "There was blood on the swaddle wrapping the baby, so after a simple wash and treatment, the baby went out to see her father’s face."
Afterward, Mr. A remained on the operating table for the removal of uterine fibroids diagnosed early in the pregnancy. He said, "When I asked how long the surgery would take, the anesthesiologist said they would give me a sedative and that I would be asleep and it would be over when I woke up," and then put him to sleep.
Upon waking from the surgery, Mr. A received news that the baby had been injured by the scalpel during the cesarean section. The hospital explained that the baby's right head was cut by the scalpel and needed suturing, and due to infection concerns, the baby had to be transferred to a larger hospital. Mr. A expressed frustration, saying, "I saw the baby, and my husband greeted the baby, but there was no mention of this until right after the surgery ended when the doctor told my husband."
According to Mr. A, the attending physician admitted medical negligence and apologized, explaining, "Due to the uterine fibroids, the baby's head was attached to the uterine wall, and the accident happened by mistake. There was bleeding, so the view was obstructed."
However, Mr. A said, "I was never told that the process of removing the baby would be difficult. They removed the baby first and then removed the fibroids, which doesn’t make sense. The sedative was recommended by the anesthesiologist, but my husband thought I requested it," adding, "It’s upsetting that the baby was injured, and the follow-up took a long time until the transfer to the larger hospital. I don’t understand the attending physician’s explanation. It’s been a week since the birth, and the sutures have not yet been removed."
Mr. A claimed that the hospital only paid for the original hospital costs and the baby’s liver treatment at Severance Hospital. He said, "There has been no other contact or response," and added, "Despite the delayed follow-up treatment, the baby was transported in a private van, not an ambulance. I just cried endlessly. This is irresponsible handling."
Finally, Mr. A said, "I know accidents can happen, but every time I see my baby’s head, I feel so guilty for choosing this hospital and cesarean section," and added, "I haven’t been able to rest after childbirth, and I cry every day without sleep."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
