“They said my baby could live only 48 hours if he didn't get a surgery. He needs the surgery and stay in the NICU to be completely out of danger. The next two weeks are extremely crucial."
In the 48 hours that Bhumika and Madhukar’s baby boy has been alive, every minute has been a ticking time bomb. Just hours into his birth, the baby started gasping for breath and was immediately taken to the NICU and put on ventilator support. The baby was born with his intestines in his chest, pushing on his lungs, causing him to suffocate. The only prayer this newborn’s parents have now is that their baby doesn’t succumb to this fatal condition.
Just a few hours after his birth, this baby began battling for life
“When I held him in my arms for the first time, I was so happy that my baby and my wife were healthy and safe. We were waiting to take him home, but only a few hours after his birth, he began struggling to breathe. We didn’t know what was happening to him and why our baby was choking on the air he was breathing.”
Bhumika and Madhukar’s baby has a diaphragmatic hernia, a condition in which the diaphragm which separates the lungs and intestines has a hole in it. Due to the opening, the baby’s free-floating intestines have moved to the chest cavity and are pushing on his left lung, making every breath a painful struggle for the little one. He was in the NICU for two days on ventilator support before being rushed for surgery.
Their baby boy is getting a surgery but isn’t out of danger yet
Although the baby boy is getting a surgery to move the intestines and close the opening in the diaphragm, he is not completely out of danger yet. His lungs aren’t ready to function on their own and he needs to stay in the NICU on ventilator support for at least 2 more weeks before he’s strong enough to breathe on his own again.
“His life is still in danger and without strict medical care and attention, my baby will not survive. He’s made it so far and is so close to getting better. It's a heartbreaking thought that after all this, he won't have a chance at life only because of my financial struggle.”
Madhukar is scrambling to save his baby boy
While Bhumika is too weak to even move from her hospital bed after the delivery, Madhukar spends his days shuttling between his wife and son, carrying around a huge emotional and financial burden.
Bhumika is waiting to hold her baby again
“Bhumika is waiting to hold our baby. At least I can go see him, but she’s bedridden. She’s mentally and physically exhausted, but all she’s thinking about is our baby. My 2-year-old daughter sits my wife’s bed and cries all day. It’s very overwhelming, but all I’m focusing now is to make sure my baby gets the complete treatment. I’m falling short and I really don’t know how to afford the Rs 6 lakhs.”
Madhukar, Bhumika and their 2-year-old daughter Aishwarya
Madhukar is a photographer and the sole breadwinner of the family. He has used all his savings on his baby’s treatment so far. After spending on the surgery, Madhukar has nothing left to keep his baby boy in the hospital longer.
How You Can Help
Bhumika and Madhukar’s baby boy was born with a condition in which his intestines moved his chest cavity because of the hole in his diaphragm. The intestines, pushing against his lungs, were making it extremely difficult for him to breathe. The baby boy has now had surgery but needs to stay in the NICU longer to completely recover. Madhukar has exhausted all his savings and is desperate to save his baby.Your support will save Bhumika’s baby’s life.
Supporting Document
The specifics of this case have been verified by the medical team at the concerned hospital. For any clarification on the treatment or associated costs, contact the campaign organizer or the medical team.
Click here to save Bhumika's baby.
