MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY
Two Lives Saved: A Father’s Fight During His Wife’s High-Risk Pregnancy
When my wife was seven months pregnant, what seemed like a simple gallbladder stone suddenly turned into a life-threatening emergency. For days, I watched her suffer as hospitals in Jalandhar struggled to control her infection, before doctors told us to rush her to Ludhiana for proper treatment.
7 Months
How far along my wife’s pregnancy was when the emergency began
₹2 Lakh
Already spent on treatment in Jalandhar before we reached Ludhiana
Baby Girl
Born safely, with my wife recovering well today
A gallbladder stone turns into a medical emergency
When my wife was seven months pregnant, what seemed like a gallbladder stone suddenly turned into a serious medical emergency. She was in severe pain, an infection had set into her pancreas, and with the pregnancy growing every day, we had very few safe treatment options left.
For days, I watched her suffer while hospitals in Jalandhar struggled to treat her. Her infection kept getting worse, eventually crossing 50,000, until doctors finally advised us to take her to DMC in Ludhiana for proper treatment.
“For days, I watched her suffer while the infection kept getting worse — until doctors told us to get her to Ludhiana for proper treatment.”
— Kamal, Husband
A risky surgery, then a month of waiting
At DMC, doctors finally brought her condition under control, but another difficult decision remained. Her gallbladder had to be removed before delivery, because leaving the stones untreated could bring the infection back — but because she was pregnant, the surgery carried a higher risk than usual. The doctors explained all the risks to us before we decided to go ahead.
The surgery was completed safely, and my family and I then spent another month taking every precaution as we waited for the right time for the delivery. After consulting the doctors, we went back to DMC, where they assured us that the baby was healthy and that the delivery could be carried out safely. Soon after, my wife and I welcomed a baby girl.
A financial crisis on top of a medical one
But getting to that moment came at a huge financial cost. I work a private clerical job at a college placement office, where I help students with their job placements. My savings were exhausted quickly during the initial treatment, with around ₹2 lakh already spent in Jalandhar before we even reached DMC.
My family and my professional network stepped in wherever they could. My boss contributed financially, and former students I had helped over the years also came forward. But the expenses kept mounting, including costly medicines and treatment at DMC, and the support I had was still not enough.
“After years of helping students find jobs without expecting anything in return, I felt like the goodwill I had built finally came back to support my family when we needed it most.”
— Kamal, Husband
Where we are today
One of the biggest moments of hope for me came when my wife finally began receiving proper treatment at DMC. After seeing how badly her condition had deteriorated in Jalandhar, watching her respond to treatment gave me the confidence that she would recover.
Today, my wife and our newborn daughter are both doing well. After everything we went through in the final months of her pregnancy, seeing them both safe has brought us immense relief.
Looking back, I hope other families will seek proper medical guidance early, especially during pregnancy. My experience has made me believe that timely scans, consultation with experienced doctors, and treatment at a well-equipped hospital can make a major difference when complications arise. I remain grateful to everyone who helped me through this crisis — from my boss and students to every donor who supported my Milaap fundraiser.
Facing a high-risk pregnancy or a sudden medical emergency?
Complications during pregnancy can escalate quickly, and transferring to a better-equipped hospital often comes with costs that outpace what savings or personal loans can cover. We help families reach a wider circle of support so treatment doesn’t have to stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much does treatment for a high-risk pregnancy with complications cost in India?
Costs vary widely depending on the complication and the hospital, but families often spend several lakh rupees when a pregnancy requires extended hospitalisation, surgery or specialised care. Kamal’s family had already spent around ₹2 lakh in Jalandhar before even reaching a hospital equipped to treat his wife properly.
Is it safe to have gallbladder surgery during pregnancy?
Gallbladder surgery during pregnancy is possible and sometimes necessary when stones are causing repeated infections, but it carries higher risks than usual and is typically done with extra precautions. Doctors generally weigh the risk of the surgery against the risk of leaving the infection untreated before deciding to proceed.
Why do doctors closely track infection markers during a pregnancy complication
A rising infection marker, such as a white blood cell count, signals that an infection is getting worse and may be turning into a medical emergency like sepsis. Doctors track these numbers closely during pregnancy complications because both the mother’s and the baby’s safety can depend on catching a worsening infection early.
How do I start a fundraiser for a pregnancy-related medical emergency?
You typically need a diagnosis report, a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, and identity proof for the patient or the person raising funds on their behalf. Our team helps applicants gather and verify these documents before the fundraiser goes live.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap
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