Eight women who gave birth through Caesarean sections at Jodhpur’s Paota Hospital on Saturday later developed serious health complications, with two of them now in intensive care. Two of them are in critical condition and have been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit, raising fresh concerns over maternal healthcare in the state.
The development comes days after similar cases were reported from Bikaner and Kota, where women developed serious health issues after childbirth. In Bikaner, two maternal deaths have already been reported in connection with kidney-related complications following delivery.
According to hospital officials, eight Caesarean sections were performed at Paota District Hospital on June 20. By evening, two of the women developed serious complications, following which senior doctors were informed, and treatment was stepped up.
One of the critically ill patients reportedly suffered excessive bleeding after surgery. Her blood pressure dropped sharply and her kidneys were affected. She was later shifted to the ICU at MDM Hospital.
Another woman became unconscious after the operation. Medical examinations indicated damage to her kidneys and liver, along with urinary complications. She was moved to the ICU and placed on dialysis.
Hospital sources said several women who underwent Caesarean deliveries on the same day were also found to be unwell. Some are suspected to have developed septicemia, though investigations are still underway.
Paota Hospital Principal Medical Officer Dr Kulvinder Singh Chopra said the condition of the two patients worsened on the day of surgery itself.
“Eight operations were scheduled for June 20. The condition of the two operated patients deteriorated by evening. The Principal was immediately informed, and a team arrived as a precaution. High-level antibiotics and medications were started for the remaining six operations. The six pregnant women here are stable and fine, their vitals are normal, and are measured every two hours. The state government has collected all the samples. OT is currently stalled,” he said.
Following the incident, hospital authorities collected samples from patients and temporarily suspended operations in the operating theatre pending investigation.
Medical College Principal Dr Fateh Singh Jodha said senior doctors and microbiologists have begun examining the case.
“These operations were performed on Saturday. Their temperatures were also quite high that day. Despite this, two pregnant women experienced complications, one with high blood pressure and the other with a small amount of bleeding during the operation. Senior physicians and microbiologists have collected samples; their reports are still pending, and so far, all the patients who are here are stable. We sent everyone’s samples and then administered antibiotics. We shifted the two patients who had problems there and are keeping close watch on them. Everything is done according to the SOPs,” he said.
Blood and culture samples have been sent for testing. Hospital authorities said all affected women remain under observation while health officials await laboratory reports.
The latest incident comes amid scrutiny of maternal healthcare facilities in Rajasthan. In Bikaner, 26-year-old Sharda died on Sunday after developing kidney failure following childbirth. She became the second reported maternal death linked to the ongoing health crisis at PBM Hospital after the earlier death of another woman, Preeti.
Officials said two other women in Bikaner who developed kidney-related complications after delivery are showing signs of recovery. Health authorities continue to monitor cases across districts as investigations seek to determine the cause of the complications.