A Berbice River family is now mourning the loss of a 22-year-old expectant mother, who died on Thursday at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital after undergoing a C-section to deliver her first child.
Teacher Jacinth Seleen Muhammad Osborne, 22, of Wairuni, Berbice River, was admitted to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital on Tuesday after visiting the clinic.
The Health Ministry last night confirmed that both internal and external investigations have commenced in light of Osborne’s death, while noting that she was admitted to New Amsterdam Hospital for induction of labour due to late term pregnancy. “The patient… had a Ceasarian Section during which she went into Cardiac Arrest. Despite strenuous efforts, resuscitation failed,” it said in statement.
Osborne’s mother, Natalie Agard Lucas, told Sunday Stabroek that the medical professionals had explained that since her daughter’s baby was big, it was necessary for her to be admitted immediately.
“When I call her back in the afternoon, she said, ‘Mommy that they said they gonna induce labour on me from tonight,’ which is Tuesday night,” Lucas recounted.
“Tuesday night, Wednesday, Wednesday night until Thursday morning my daughter been in (continuous) induced labour and they still had wanted to give her another bag,” she added.
At that point Osborne refused the drips after which she was informed that they would be taking her to the theatre to conduct a C-section operation.
The woman pointed that throughout the days and nights she kept calling her daughter who kept informing her that she was experiencing immense pain. “I stand right here and call her and she keep saying ‘Ow mommy! Pain! Pain mommy like I ain’t able no more!’ And I tell her bare up, that is what we women does got to pass through but she said this more,” the woman added.
Osborne was reportedly taken to the theatre for the surgery just around 6 am on Thursday.
Around midday on Thursday, Osborne’s relatives were informed that during the operation there were some complications but that the young women was stable and recovering while her baby, who was safe, was handed over to her mother and husband, who were present at the time.
“The doctor tell me in front the theatre door that everything was okay but when they taking out the afterbirth she heart start racing away and then it come down half way and go right down and cut off but they did a resuscitating and everything was okay. And they tell me everything was normal, everything was normal with my daughter,” Lucas stressed.
However, she was also informed that her daughter would have to be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Intensive Care Unit since “they don’t have the equipment here.”
The devastated mother recalled that she told the doctor that she hoped he was telling her the truth since she had never experienced such a situation although she had birthed four children.
Sometime after, Osborne’s husband was informed that his wife had succumbed.
Lucas recalled that she was walking through Pitt Street in New Amsterdam when she received the message just around 4 pm from someone known to her, causing her to fall flat to the ground.
The woman said she has since been told that her daughter died on the operating table in the morning, although she was told by hospital officials that this was not the case.
Meanwhile, the dead woman’s relatives were unaware that an autopsy was carried out, as her mother insisted that no relatives were present for same, but the family was given a post-mortem report. It states that Osborne died as a result of “anaphylactic shock from anesthesia.”
Lucas was confused how an autopsy could be done without the family’s consent or the presence of a family member.
As a result, she called on the authorities to launch an investigation as she stressed that she holds the medical professionals directly responsible for the death of her daughter. “I want justice for my daughter,” the woman stressed.
A senior official at the hospital yesterday indicated that an investigation is ongoing. Calls to the Regional Health Officer were not answered.
However, the Ministry of Health statement, which was issued last night, said both the ministry and the Regional Health Authority of Region Six are deeply saddened by the death and remain available to answer any questions the relatives may have regarding the deceased.
Lucas related that her daughter, who was well known, was her backbone as she would often step in to assist with her business whenever she [the mother] was ill. “If I got to buy stocks for the shop she would go and she does just say mommy bring your list I can go. She was my hand and foot.”
Presently, Osborne’s daughter is staying with her mother and Muhammad’s husband. The young man was unable to speak with Sunday Stabroek yesterday as he remained in a state of shock.
Lucas also stressed, that Osborne was extremely excited to become a mother.
