Baby's Femur Broken During C-Section in Piauí

What happened during the emergency C-section?

On May 4, Cintia underwent an emergency caesarean section because her baby had been in a breech position since week 37, leaving no room to attempt a normal delivery. During the procedure, as the doctor pulled the newborn's second leg, a loud snap was heard by her husband and the entire surgical team. The delivering physician later admitted he had heard the sound.

How was the fracture discovered?

After the birth, a paediatrician assessed the baby and initially said the situation appeared to be nothing serious, referring the family to an orthopaedic specialist. Back in the recovery room, Cintia's husband noticed that the baby's thigh was severely swollen and the newborn was crying continuously from pain. Despite repeated requests from the family, the orthopaedic doctor only examined the baby two days after the birth. An X-ray confirmed the femur fracture.

What did the mother say about prenatal care?

Cintia says her entire pregnancy was uneventful and all check-ups, exams and ultrasounds came back normal. She had visited the maternity unit twice before delivery to request an evaluation given the baby's breech position, but no additional ultrasound was ordered. "I knew from week 37 that she was sitting. The doctor told me she was big and had no space," she told Crescer magazine.

What is the family's situation now?

Cintia described the birth as a moment that should have been the happiest of their lives but turned into a nightmare. The case has drawn attention to the importance of monitoring foetal position in late pregnancy and ensuring timely orthopaedic evaluation when complications occur at birth.