“I haven't slept since he was born. The doctors have given us three days to arrange the surgery. I have knocked on all doors to make this happen, but there is no time.” – Harish, the baby's father.

Monika and Harish had a baby boy on the night of June 3. They had barely held their baby when he started gasping for air – unable to breathe. He was rushed to the ventilator so oxygen could go into his lungs. The baby has a birth defect that allows his intestines to move into his chest. He needs a corrective surgery within three days of birth to live. His parents are racing against time to arrange for the surgery.

These parents got bad news just half an hour after their baby was born

Monika and Harish were looking forward to welcoming the newest member of their family. Their 2-year-old is at home with her grandparents waiting for her baby brother. The last thing they expected was that their baby would come into the world choking and struggling to breathe.

“It was a normal pregnancy and a normal delivery. When the baby was born – he cried also. But he started gasping soon after that. It was half an hour before he was put on a ventilator. In the last two days, I went from one hospital to another looking for a surgery slot, but it is very short notice.” – Harish

Monika's baby has a terrible condition that will suffocate him in three days

Monika and Harish's baby has a birth defect called diaphragmatic hernia – where his diaphragm has a hole.  The diaphragm is the muscle between the chest and abdomen that helps you breathe. Monika's baby has a hole in his diaphragm – from where his intestines are spilling into his chest. If not pushed back into the abdomen, the baby's heart and lungs will be suffocated by his intestines.

“We expected to be getting ready to go home by now or think of names for him. But instead, a day after giving birth, my wife has to sit and wait in long lines. I would go talk to her, but I have no words to console her. I have no energy to even call people and tell them what happened. I have only one day to make sure my baby can somehow get a surgery and live.” – Harish

How you can help

Harish works in a small private company in Faridabad. Monika is a housewife. The money he had saved up for his child's birth is gone. He needs another Rs 4 lakhs to arrange for his baby. Not only is it a very big amount for Harish, but also his baby simply cannot wait. These parents are tired, and desperate for help.