Benefits of Telemedicine: Gynaecologist helped deliver baby on video call

One of the women, video-called a gynecologist from KIMS who guided the women through the procedure. The delivery, conducted by the group of women who did not have any experience with medical procedures before, proved to be successful and both child and mother are safe and healthy.

According to recent media reports, the woman was a resident of Kittur Chennamma road in Hangal and she was pregnant with her second baby. She started experiencing labor pain ahead or her scheduled delivery date on July 26th. Her husband tried to arrange an ambulance to take her to the hospital for 30 to 40 minutes, however, no ambulance was available as most of them were already engaged in COVID duties.

Hence her husband called some women from the neighborhood for help and all the women immediately rushed to help the patient in labor pain. One of the women video-called her gynecologist friend who works at KIMS Hospital in Hubballi. After receiving instructions from the doctor via the video call, the group of women while taking all the protective measures like gloves and masks conducted the delivery successfully. By the time they completed the procedure, cleaned up the baby, covered it in warm clothes and asked the mother to feed the baby, the ambulance and health staff arrived at the spot to take the mother and baby to the hospital.

After that, the mother and the baby were shifted to the hospital.

Speaking to TNIE, Dr. Priyanka Mandakini, pursuing her postgraduate course in gynaecology and obstetrics at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi (KIMS Hospital) confirmed that she was still on duty when she received the distress call and she could see the whole scenario in the video call. She instructed them on how to conduct the delivery. The mother had a successful normal delivery. 

One of the women on the delivery team, Ms. Desai told TH that "We were worried. So we called up Dr. Priyanka Mantagi to seek advice. We made a video call on WhatsApp and she told us what to do. We bought a new blade, followed all the precautions as advised by her, and cut the umbilical cord. All women in the neighborhood chipped in and we are happy that we saved the baby."

Commenting on her experience of assisting a delivery via Whatsapp call, Dr. Priyanka told TH "In the video call, I could see what the situation was like. I just assured them that there was nothing to worry about. I told them how to cut the umbilical cord after tying both the ends." The group of women completed the procedure and after cleaning the baby wrapped her in warm clothes when finally the health workers and ambulance reached the spot and took the mew born and mother to the hospital. 

"We are happy that both the mother and the baby are safe and healthy. They are now in Navalgund, at Vasavi's parents' home," Ms. Desai added.