Doctors in Kerala’s Nilambur save tribal woman, baby after rare uterine rupture

Doctors in Kerala’s Nilambur successfully saved the life of a 25-year-old tribal woman and her newborn after a rare uterine rupture occurred during childbirth. The incident took place on Monday, July 20, 2026, when the woman arrived at Government District Hospital, Nilambur, in an autorickshaw with severe abdominal pain. She belonged to the Cheerakkuzhi tribal community near Chugathara and had received no prenatal care throughout her pregnancy. There were no ultrasounds, blood tests, or even blood grouping conducted prior to her arrival at the hospital. Upon admission around 10:40 a.m., medical staff observed that the woman's amniotic sac had ruptured, and thick meconium-stained fluid was draining. Senior gynaecologist Laxmy Rajmohan suspected a uterine rupture based on the unusual symptoms. Her pulse was rapid, the baby’s heartbeat was weak, and the shape of the uterus appeared abnormal. “There was no time to lose. If we delayed, we could lose both mother and baby,” Dr. Laxmy stated. Further examination revealed that the woman had undergone two previous caesarean deliveries and had been warned against future pregnancies due to a uterine abnormality. Doctors later diagnosed her with uterus didelphys, a rare condition where the uterus consists of two separate cavities. Despite being advised to use contraception following her second delivery, she did not follow this recommendation. As a result, her pregnancy remained undetected by herself and local ASHA workers, who are responsible for maternal health outreach. Given the urgency of the situation, the hospital team decided not to wait for routine investigations before proceeding with emergency surgery. The anaesthesia team cleared the patient for immediate intervention. During the operation, doctors confirmed their worst fears, thick meconium had entered the abdominal cavity, the uterus had fully ruptured, and the placenta was protruding through the tear. The baby was lying freely within the abdomen. “Even grasping the baby was difficult. We somehow delivered the child and immediately handed the newborn to the paediatrician,” Dr. Laxmy recalled. The infant was subsequently transferred to the Institute of Maternal and Child Health in Kozhikode for specialized care. The medical team repaired the ruptured uterus, and the woman recovered without needing any blood transfusion. She is currently recovering at Nilambur Hospital. District Reproductive and Child Health Officer Pameeli N.N. called the incident a “near-miss” case in maternal and child mortality. “Our only priority was to save both lives. Everyone worked in tandem, from the autorickshaw driver and ambulance staff to the doctors, nurses, and support staff. That collective effort made the difference,” Dr. Pameeli said. The successful outcome was attributed to the quick actions of the medical team, which included Dr. Laxmy Rajmohan, Dr. Aneesa, Dr. Nishana, anaesthesiologists Dr. Sreekanth and Dr. Fazil, paediatrician Dr. Mujeeb, and several nursing officers and anaesthesia technicians. Their coordinated efforts ensured the survival of both the mother and the newborn despite the rarity and severity of the condition.