Kaieteur News Reports | A heartbroken mother, Nelissa Chetram, has expressed her grief over the loss of her baby girl, Athena, claiming that her child would still be alive if doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) had honored her request for an emergency C-section.
In an emotional interview with Kaieteur News, Chetram recounted the harrowing experience she endured on November 8, 2025, when she lost both her unborn child and her womb after a grueling 12-hour labor. The mother of five had looked forward to giving her husband his first child, having prepared everything in advance for the newborn.
Chetram, classified as a high-risk patient, was admitted to the maternity ward on November 7 after experiencing early labor pains. Originally expected to deliver on November 17, her condition became critical when her water broke at 2:20 PM. Upon arrival at the hospital, Chetram was advised to induce labor.
As labor progressed, she repeatedly asked for an emergency C-section, expressing her severe exhaustion and inability to push. “I told them I was too weak to push and hadn’t eaten properly,” she explained. Chetram detailed her pleas to various doctors who came into the labor room, but her requests were consistently denied, with one doctor asserting that a patient could not request a C-section.
Despite her worsening condition, Chetram continued to implore for a surgical solution. After 12 exhausting hours, medical staff finally decided to perform a C-section, but it was too late. During the operation, a doctor informed her that her womb had torn, necessitating its removal.
Initially, Chetram did not mind losing her womb, thinking of her baby’s arrival as the most important outcome. However, as she regained consciousness post-surgery, she learned from pediatric staff that Athena was experiencing complications and required treatment.
Her worst fears were confirmed when a pediatrician returned with the heartbreaking news that her baby had passed away. “When she said that, I didn’t have words anymore,” Chetram recounted, overwhelmed with grief. The loss was particularly painful as it marked her husband’s first child and shattered their dreams.
Though Chetram has other children, she expressed that losing Athena was devastating, particularly for her husband, who had longed for a daughter. “It hurts me to know that he can’t get that vision that he always wanted,” she shared, recalling the moment her husband first saw their lifeless daughter.
In her quest for answers, Chetram sought an explanation from GPHC’s maternity department, where she was told that legal protocols dictated that a patient could not request a C-section without indicating medical necessity. An official explained that if the baby’s heart rate appeared stable during labor, it would be deemed unnecessary to proceed with a C-section.
The GPHC defended its actions, asserting that it followed all protocols, focusing on saving Chetram’s life amid complications. The head of the maternity department emphasized that Chetram faced additional risks due to being a grand multiparity patient, which can complicate labor and delivery.
The tragic case raises critical questions about maternal care and hospital protocols, highlighting the need for continued discussions on improving the safety and well-being of expectant mothers.
