Baby dies after two ambulance changes until arriving at hospital in Fortaleza: 'We feel angry'

A 30-year-old pregnant woman lost her baby after heavy bleeding, this Wednesday (1st), in Itaitinga, in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza. She needed to be transferred from the city to the capital, but the journey involved two ambulance changes. The tire of one of the vehicles even went flat on the way between the cities. The family complains of negligence in the case.

Relatives of the pregnant woman who lost her baby claim that there was negligence on the part of the care provided at the Ester Cavalcante Assunção Hospital and Maternity Hospital in Itaitinga, in Greater Fortaleza. The pregnant woman remains hospitalized in serious condition.

The pregnant woman’s aunt, Gisele Sousa, said that the ambulance was unable to take her sister anywhere. Adequate care was not provided by the rescue team.

“They are claiming that they received immediate care. This service did not happen. On this route they placed an ambulance that was in no condition to take her. We feel powerless. Angry because there were two lives. Nayara’s life [mãe] remains at risk. We pray that she comes home,” she stated.

The housewife and mother of the pregnant woman, Maria José de Sousa, reported that the baby was alive before the ambulance changes and that the doctor even listened to the child’s heart. However, the wait was so long that the doctor himself became nervous and realized that the baby was dying.

“The doctor listened to the baby and saw that he was breathing. You could hear his breathing. Then I calmed down a little. I became quieter and prayed that my granddaughter would survive. Then the doctor listened to the baby again and said he was alive. We’re waiting for that ambulance. The doctor listened to her belly again and he himself became disturbed and disoriented.”

Understand the case

The pregnant woman’s sister said that the first ambulance was in no condition to take her anywhere. — Photo: Reproduction/TV Verdes Mares

The pregnant woman needed to be transferred from Itaitinga to the capital, but the journey involved two ambulance changes. The tire of one of the vehicles even went flat on the way between the cities.

The woman was taken to a hospital in Itaitinga with heavy vaginal bleeding. Then, it was assessed that she needed a transfer to Fortaleza. The journey began with an ambulance from the Ester Cavalcante Assunção Hospital and Maternity Hospital, in Itaitinga, but this vehicle had a flat tire along the way.

As a result, Samu Ceará was called and sent a second ambulance. Upon arriving at the scene, rescuers saw the seriousness of the case and requested a mobile ICU. Thus, the pregnant woman had to go through three different ambulances.

“At the time, the patient’s blood pressure was 120x70mmHg and the fetal heartbeat registered 107 bpm,” the hospital management said in a statement.

“The Ester Cavalcante Assunção Hospital and Maternity reaffirms its commitment to providing adequate care for each patient and is available for any and all necessary clarifications”, added the management.

Samu Ceará reported that it was called at 5am to assist the patient. At 6:50 am, the pregnant woman was admitted to a reference hospital unit in Fortaleza.

The Dr. César Cals General Hospital (HGCC) in Fortaleza, where the pregnant woman was taken, reported that emergency care was provided to the pregnant woman, who arrived at the unit with heavy bleeding.

“An emergency cesarean section was performed, confirming the death of the fetus. The patient, at the moment, remains hospitalized, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team, and has already received a visit from her family,” said the hospital unit.

The Civil Police informed, in a note, that it became aware of a report of negligence that had occurred in a hospital unit, this Wednesday (1st), in Itaitinga.

Police, however, reinforce the importance of registration, which must be done in person, preferably at the Itaitinga Metropolitan Police Station, responsible for the area.