Diana C., 24

Diana is a first-time mother who lives with her husband and newborn in a rented single-room house. She is currently unemployed, while her husband relies on irregular casual work despite having completed college. Their limited income has left them two months behind on rent, and they sometimes go without adequate food. Although registered with the national health insurance, her husband has been unable to make contributions for the premiums since March. Diana remains hopeful and dreams of opening a beauty shop to support her family. During labour, Diana was referred to hospital because the baby’s head could not pass adequately through her pelvis, a condition known as cephalopelvic disproportion. She was admitted in early labour and monitored overnight. At 5:00 a.m., her cervix was 8 cm dilated, but the baby’s head remained high above the pelvic brim. She received Buscopan while monitoring continued. By 9:00 a.m., there was no further cervical dilatation, the head remained high, and Grade 2 meconium was present in the amniotic fluid. Because labour had failed to progress and CPD was suspected, an emergency caesarean section was performed to protect Diana and her baby.

If left untreated, cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) could have resulted in prolonged and obstructed labour, with a risk of uterine rupture, severe maternal bleeding, and potentially loss of both the mother and baby. The presence of Grade 2 meconium-stained liquor (MSL2) also increased the risk of fetal distress and oxygen deprivation, which could have resulted in serious complications or even death of the baby. The emergency Caesarean section was therefore necessary to prevent these potentially life-threatening complications. Following the successful delivery, both Diana and her baby are currently stable and doing well, with a good prognosis with continued post-operative care and monitoring.