Mumbai, June 08, 2023 (GNI): Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai is celebrating a remarkable story of resilience and determination. A 37-year-old woman, known as Sheetal (name changed), has defied medical odds to fulfil her dream of becoming a mother. Despite battling obesity, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 70.6 and a weight that peaked at 163kg during her pregnancy, Sheetal who had conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) successfully delivered twin girls at Kokilaben Hospital.
Sheetal’s journey to motherhood is a testament to her unyielding spirit, overcoming a decade-long struggle marked by body shaming and unsuccessful attempts at pregnancy. After ten years of hoping for a child, she took a break from her professional life 18 months ago to fully commit to her dream of motherhood, even amidst the challenges posed by her high BMI.
“Growing up, I faced body shaming due to being overweight,” Sheetal shared. “For a decade following my marriage, my dream was to become pregnant. Despite my weight, I believe the fact that I only have a thyroid problem and no other co-morbidities associated with morbid obesity was a key factor in my ability to conceive”.
Sheetal’s story is particularly impressive as obesity often inhibits regular ovulation and significantly reduces the chances of successful IVF. Additionally, pregnancies in morbidly obese women are generally considered high-risk, with increased potential for complications such as miscarriage, preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, and hypertension.
Despite these risks, the dedicated healthcare team at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Navi Mumbai, led by Dr. Renuka Borisa, Consultant Gynecologist, Obstetrician and Laparoscopic Surgeon, meticulously monitored the pregnancy after her IVF specialist referred Sheetal to Kokilaben Hospital. “Pregnancy of a morbidly obese woman should be closely monitored,” said Dr. Borisa, who delivered the twins via cesarean section. “Many preparations in terms of operation theatre table and monitoring equipment should be kept ready”.
Dr. Borisa and her team put in extraordinary efforts to ensure a safe delivery, including a cervical cerclage that involves temporarily sewing the cervix closed with stitches to prevent preterm birth and navigating through substantial abdominal tissue during the cesarean section. Sheetal’s high BMI presented unique challenges that required specialized medical intervention, which was made possible by the Full Time Specialist System (FTSS) and multidisciplinary approach ensuring easy availability and access to dedicated specialists.
Dr Bipin Chevale, Director and Head at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai said, “At Kokilaben Hospital, we strive to go above and beyond to provide exceptional care to our patients, regardless of the complexities they may face. Very few hospitals could handle the unique circumstances of this case with the required expertise and resources. Kokilaben Hospital’s ability to provide a range of specialized services under one roof, including state-of-the-art Operation Theatres (OT) and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) played a vital role in ensuring the success this case.”
He further added, “We are immensely proud to have played a significant role in fulfilling Sheetal’s decade-long dream of motherhood.”
Despite being a month premature, the twins are thriving after a brief stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They returned home on May 8th, marking the successful culmination of their mother’s decade-long dream.
The tale of Sheetal’s journey to motherhood, unfolding at Kokilaben Hospital, is a beacon of hope for women facing similar struggles. It underscores the boundless potential for success even in the face of significant challenges and serves as an uplifting testament to the power of determination, stated in a press release.ends GNI SG
Be the first to comment on "Motherhood Dream of Woman weighing 163kg comes true at Kokilaben Hospital Navi Mumbai, as she defies odds to deliver Twins"