The joy of her second pregnancy was huge - but it was soon dampened. Florence Traunecker heard the suspected diagnosis of "placenta accreta" from her gynecologist during her first trimester. The ultrasound images showed signs that the 39-year-old's placenta was too firmly attached to her uterus. A serious pregnancy complication that is life-threatening for both mother and child, especially at the time of delivery and if this were to take place in the wrong place or unprepared. Thanks to close treatment and a caesarean section at the USZ, both are doing well.
When my gynecologist told me that not everything was going according to plan, I was very worried. The word “high-risk pregnancy” is frightening. It became clear relatively quickly that a natural birth would not be possible and that there was a high probability that my uterus could not be preserved due to the adhesion with the placenta. When I found out, it hit me hard.
“Professional execution and human side created trust”
In the 24th week of pregnancy, my gynecologist referred me to the USZ. The head doctor who treated me there showed a lot of empathy for my situation right from the start. His professional explanations and his human side created trust and were very helpful. I now had to have a check-up every two weeks. Various prenatal tests were carried out – independently of the placenta problem – also because it was not clear at the beginning whether everything was okay with the baby. I also had bleeding at an early stage of the pregnancy. With my diagnosis, further bleeding could have occurred at any time. I was no longer allowed to travel so that I could be treated in hospital in time in an emergency. I could only work from home. Living in a constant state of alert was difficult and only possible thanks to the support of my family and the good, benevolent care at the USZ.
“I’m alive, I have my family and I’m holding my healthy baby in my arms”
The caesarean section was planned for the 36th week of pregnancy. My doctor at the USZ would have preferred to do it a little earlier to minimize the risk for me. Because in this situation it is important to go into the operation planned and well prepared and not to risk any emergency situations. But he listened to me and understood how important it was for me to have as normal a pregnancy as possible in order to give my baby the best chance from the start.
I had to go to the USZ a few days before the birth for the final examinations and consultations. I received a very warm welcome from the whole team and was well prepared for the upcoming operation with general anesthesia. The plan was that the caesarean section and the probable removal of my uterus would take place at different stages of the operation. The aim was that I could witness my daughter being born. The fact that I was able to be part of this unique and emotional moment in a waking phase means a lot to me. I heard my daughter’s cry and knew that she was alive and that everything would be alright. I was able to greet them before I was put under anesthesia and operated on.
The operation went without complications. As expected, however, my uterus had to be removed. A loss that initially caused me problems. My husband and I actually wanted a third child. But I’m alive, I have my family and I’m holding my healthy baby in my arms. That is the most important thing and, because of my diagnosis, not a matter of course.
The man in the women’s clinic
After the birth, I had to spend two days in the intensive care unit at the USZ. Fortunately, our newborn daughter was robust and was allowed to go straight to the women’s ward – together with my husband. Instead of me, he spent the first few days in the hospital bed with our baby, looked after her and was supported by the midwives. As breastfeeding was very important to me, they pumped breast milk a few hours after the operation. On the one hand, this stimulated my milk production and, on the other, made it possible for my husband to provide our daughter with breast milk in addition to formula milk right from the start. “You’ll see,” he said to me, “the midwives and the nursing team will do everything for you here. You don’t have to worry.” And he was right: the midwives were kind to me from the bottom of their hearts and supported me with good advice. So that I could enjoy getting to know my daughter in hospital.
A few months have now passed and we have arrived home as a family in our new everyday life. We are doing well and we are grateful for that. Also to the USZ and its employees. Because in this difficult life situation, I experienced top medical treatment, the highest level of professionalism and not to be neglected: the greatest empathy.
Birth at USZ
Every baby is a unique miracle. We are privileged to accompany around 2,500 of these miracles into the world every year. Our experienced doctors, midwives and nurses are on duty around the clock to provide you with professional and loving care during pregnancy, birth and the first weeks with your child.
