Pregnant Woman Suffers Rare Heart Emergency on Babymoon — Doctors Save Both Mother and Baby

A Babymoon Emergency That Changed Everything

What began as a joyful babymoon celebration quickly turned into a life-threatening medical crisis for an expectant mother during her second trimester. While traveling abroad, she developed sudden, severe pain that would ultimately reveal a rare and dangerous heart condition — one that placed both her life and her unborn child at extreme risk.

Thanks to coordinated emergency care, advanced cardiac technology, and unwavering maternal determination, doctors were able to save both mother and baby, pushing the boundaries of modern pregnancy-related heart treatment.

Sudden Pain During Pregnancy Leads to a Rare Cardiac Diagnosis

During the 17th week of pregnancy, the mother experienced intense burning pain in her shoulder and upper back, accompanied by persistent vomiting. Alarmed, she sought emergency care, fearing for her unborn baby.

Doctors discovered she had suffered Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) — a rare but serious condition caused by a tear in a coronary artery, leading to heart failure.

What Is Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)?

Heart Failure During Pregnancy: A Critical Medical Decision

After being medically evacuated to the United States, doctors found the mother’s heart function had dropped to 25%, far below the normal 55–60%. The pregnancy placed additional strain on her failing heart.

Medical teams discussed termination as the safest medical option — but the mother chose to continue the pregnancy.

Instead, doctors created an unprecedented care plan focused on supporting both lives.

Innovative Cardiac Support Helped Sustain the Pregnancy

When medication was no longer sufficient, doctors implanted an advanced mechanical heart pump called the Impella 5.5, designed to assist the heart in pumping blood.

Impella 5.5: A Rare Use During Pregnancy

This marked one of the first known cases where the device was used to support a pregnancy from a non-viable stage to survivable gestation.

Emergency Delivery at 27 Weeks Saves the Baby

At 27.5 weeks, both mother and fetus showed signs of distress. After careful evaluation, doctors determined the baby had a 95% survival chance with early delivery.

An emergency C-section was performed under tightly controlled conditions.

Birth Outcome

The baby was born healthy for her gestational age and required neonatal intensive care but showed strong recovery.

Recovery and Long-Term Outcomes

After delivery, the mother’s heart pump was removed, and she was discharged days later. She later received coronary stents and completed cardiac rehabilitation.

Today:

• The mother continues regular heart checkups
• The child is healthy, thriving, and over one year old
• The case is now influencing future research into high-risk pregnancy cardiac care

Why This Case Matters for Future Medical Care

This groundbreaking case demonstrates that:

• Alternative treatment paths can exist when patients decline standard recommendations
• Advanced cardiac devices may offer new hope in complex pregnancies
• Multidisciplinary care is essential in high-risk maternal health cases

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is spontaneous coronary artery dissection during pregnancy?

A: SCAD is a rare cardiac condition involving a tear in a coronary artery, more likely during pregnancy due to hormonal and physiological changes.

Q2: Is SCAD life-threatening?

A: Yes. It can cause heart failure, heart attack, or death without immediate treatment.

Q3: Can pregnancy continue after heart failure?

A: In rare cases, with intensive monitoring and advanced medical support, pregnancy may continue under strict medical supervision.

Q4: What is the Impella 5.5 device?

A: It is a mechanical heart pump that temporarily assists the heart in circulating blood during severe heart failure.

Q5: Can babies survive birth at 27 weeks?

A: Yes. With modern neonatal care, survival rates exceed 90% in many advanced medical centers.

A Story of Medical Innovation and Maternal Strength

This extraordinary case highlights how medical innovation, collaboration, and a mother’s determination can rewrite what is medically possible. It opens new doors for treating life-threatening heart conditions during pregnancy — offering hope for families facing similar challenges in the future.